New Desert Wise Landscaping Video Launched!
Click on the photo to enjoy MBCA's latest engaging video of a local residential landscape filled with desert native plant beauty and skillful water management.
MBCA Joins Comprehensive Morongo Valley Communications Tower Comment
MBCA contributed to and signed this comprehensive letter initiated by the Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, demonstrating that the proposed communications tower in Morongo Valley has unacceptable consequences for the local residents and the ecosystem. Seven local concerned non-profits contributed to the extensive data and visual aids in the letter, concluding: "The significance of impacts has been generally downplayed through omission of key information and the use of outdated resources. Because the impacts to Public Safety, Visual Resources, Environmental Justice, and Cumulative Effects are likely to be significant and unmitigable, this application should be rejected or, at the very least, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study should be performed."
MBCA Outlines Ongoing and New Problems with Sienna Solar Project
For the third time in two years, MBCA has addressed both continuing and changing concerns about the proposed Sienna Solar and Storage Project in the Lucerne Valley area. The latest letter emphasizes unaddressed points made in our September 22, 2022 letter, as well as significant changes in the latest project proposal compared to the 2017 Planning Project Notice. Our letter also includes references and links to the Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity document that includes significant contributions by MBCA Board members, and a letter of concern from MBCA and local residents in April 25, 2022.
BLM Extends Public Comment on Morongo Valley Communications Tower
MBCA addressed concerns about the proposed 196-foot communications tower in Morongo Valley in this 2022 post. The latest version of the Environmental Assessment (at 422 pages) was published late this summer. On September 13 BLM republished its earlier Press Release to include a new public comment extension to October 7. Concerned Morongo Valley residents have created guidelines showing how to comment and containing "substantive comment" language for the main concerns of the local community.
MBCA Joins Appeal against Weakening California Environmental Protections
As the California Legislative session draws to a close, MBCA has joined with 93 other organizations signing a letter opposing efforts to "gut and amend" legislation that would weaken environmental protections without public input.
Video Examines Aratina Solar Project Approval and Joshua Tree Destruction
A new YouTube video explores the history of protection for Joshua trees and the controversially approved destruction of 4000 Joshua trees for the Aratina Solar Project in Kern County.
MBCA Questions Joshua Tree Housing Development Proposal
Local Joshua Tree residents alerted MBCA about receiving a notice from the County about a proposed housing project in their neighborhood. Recipients were offered the opportunity to comment on a Tentative Tract map application to subdivide about 18.5 undeveloped acres into 64 parcels of "minimal impact" homes. MBCA's comments highlight the lack of information on the project and insufficient time window for providing comments. We question any claims concerning sustainability and responsible growth and development. Also addressed is the lack of progress on encouraging affordable housing after acknowledgment by the Supervisors of the ill-effects of a surfeit of STRs in Joshua Tree. We emphasize this is a project requiring analysis under CEQA for impacts due to aesthetics, flooding, flora, traffic, and wastewater.
Twentynine Palms Community Envisions its Future
In a community-generated Town Hall, more than 50 Twentynine Palms residents spent a recent Saturday morning sharing ideas and thoughts about the City's future. Hosted by non-profit publisher The Desert Trumpet, with support from The Desert Trail, speakers included Chris Clarke of 90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection Podcast; Paul Razo, Business owner, Member, Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC); and Carrie Williams, Co-owner, Jeanine Beauty Supply, CEO Women of Color Global 29. The Desert Trumpet has published the meeting's high points in three issue-focused reports. Part 1 focuses on Creating an Affordable and Sustainable City; Part 2 on Balancing Development with Maintenance of the Desert Ecosystem; and Part 3 on Creating an Affordable and Sustainable City. A transcript of each session is also provided at the end of each report.
MBCA Joins Group Comment on Jurupa Valley Warehouse and Ancient Oak
MBCA was among 14 Inland Empire non-profit groups supporting a comment letter concerned with the Rio Vista Specific Plan for the Riverside County City of Jurupa. The Plan includes a warehouse and other industrial development that, in addition to air quality, water, and urban heat impacts, would endanger the over 13,000 year old Jurupa oak, among the oldest living things on the planet. The letter contains extensive analysis of problems with the plan and offers two alternatives. Read this Los Angeles Times article for more background.
Another Step Forward for Chuckwalla National Monument
Senate Joint Resolution 16 in support of Chuckwalla National Monument successfully passed a floor vote in the California State Senate and now moves to the Assembly for a final vote this summer. MBCA has strongly supported the establishment of the Monument. This measure would urge the President to use the Antiquities Act of 1906 to establish the Chuckwalla National Monument, and to establish a National Park Service managed Joshua Tree National Monument adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park.
MBCA Addresses County Supervisors on Housing Issues
At the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 23, MBCA again addressed the gaps in progress on the County's housing needs. Our letter was submitted to point to problems and contradictions with the San Bernardino County (SBC) General Plan Annual Progress Report and the Housing Element Summary. Among issues of concern are differing language between official documents about County growth, lack of progress on the Development Code Update, and lack of progress on Program 4, the study intended to examine and analyze conditions surrounding the lack of affordable housing and STR growth.