EBlast August 19, 2018

- San Bernardino Countywide Plan
- LUS regional meetings
- San Bernardino County Fire Service Zone parcel fees and special meeting
- San Bernardino County RECE 4.10
- Joshua Tree Airport Solar Project
- Eagle Crest Pumped Storage Project
EBlast August 9, 2018
- Cadiz / Assembly Bill 1000
- Eagle Crest Pumped Storage Project
- San Bernardino County RECE 4.10
- Altamira Gated Community Project
- Joshua Tree Solar Project
BLM Approves Eagle Crest Pumped Storage Project
On August 1, BLM issued a press release indicating its approval of the Eagle Crest Energy Company's plan for a "pumped storage" project at the former Eagle Mountain Mine near Desert Center. MBCA and many environmental groups and Joshua Tree National Park supporters have opposed the project. Even though it is described as a project that supports renewable energy, damage to the Park's ecological balance seems certain. MBCA's most recent News Update about this issue highlighted the Company's missed construction start deadline. In his August 1 story on the Eagle Crest project, Sammy Roth of the Desert Sun has included a history of the issues and status of the project and perspectives from both sides.
Deadline Missed on Eagle Crest Pumping Project Near JTNP
Minerva Hoyt Award Event for Pat Flanagan
MBCA Director Pat Flanagan Named Minerva Hoyt Award Winner
MBCA Director Pat Flanagan is the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award. Background for the award and a list of previous recipients can be found on the Joshua Tree National Park Association's webpage. Many MBCA supporters recognize Pat as the author of dozens of comprehensive comment letters representing the stance of MBCA and our communities on various development and conservation issues. Her comment letters contain eloquent defenses of the need for preserving desert environments and provide in-depth research with science-based and referenced evidence. MBCA is very pleased that this recognition is being made for Pat's stellar contributions to MBCA and the entire desert community over many years.
Interior Department Reconsidering National Park Fee Increases
Last December, many Morongo Basin and Mojave Desert residents were among the over 100,000 individuals across the country who commented in opposition to extreme fee increases for a number of National Parks including Joshua Tree National Park. Owing to the huge negative response, the Department of the Interior is reevaluating their plan; increased fees are still expected, but in smaller amounts. This Washington Post article provides background and details, including quotations from some impassioned commenters, and here is the local report by radio station KCDZ.
Eblast December 2, 2017
- Community Plans Comment period deadline: Dec.15, 2017
- National Park fee increase Comment period extended: Dec. 22, 2017
- Palen Solar Project Comment period deadline: Dec. 11, 2017
Deadline Extended for Park Fee Increase Comments
Eblast October 29, 2017
- Emergency Meeting on Joshua Tree National Park Fee Hikes: Thursday, November 2nd
- San Bernardino County Community Plan Town Hall Meeting: Monday, November 6th