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 Opposes Recission of Federal Roadless Rule
A notice issued on August 29, 2025, by the Forest Service, an agency of the Department of Agriculture, announced the intent to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The intent of the Rule is "to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System in the context of multiple-use management." MBCA's opposition letter describes the likely negative consequences of rolling back this rule, including environmental harm to wildlife, watersheds, and water quality, plus increased fire danger (not less). Recent polling concludes that there is also widespread public support for maintaining designated roadless areas.
Environmental Bills on Governor Newsom's Desk
In his latest "Boiling Point" newsletter, Los Angeles Times' climate and environment writer Sammy Roth summarizes some of the environment and climate-related bills passed by California legislators and awaiting Governor Newsom's signature or veto. For each bill Roth describes context, what the bill would do, and lists supporters and opponents. SB 1374 regarding net energy metering on rooftop solar was noted in MBCA's June 10 eblast. Other bills relate to water and environmental justice issues, also of ongoing concern to MBCA.
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.
Desert Sun Op-Ed Points to Cadiz Exploitation
A June 9 opinion article in the San Bernardino Sun points to the continuing irresponsible actions of the Cadiz corporation in seeking to pump precious desert water from a key aquifer in the Mojave Desert. Their recent efforts to gain approval for their project within the Latino community is pointed out in particular as exploitative. Click our tag Cadiz below to find many past reports about the Cadiz water project.
The Water Flows Always - Native American Land Conservancy Video
Tuhaymani'chi Pal Waniqa or The Water Flows Always is a video from the Native American Land Conservancy and the Wayfinders Circle highlighting tribal connections to water in the desert and documenting the Cadiz corporate water mining project in particular. A father-daughter family story is also portrayed.
Update and History of Cadiz Water Project
This January 25 column in the Los Angeles Times updates the status of the Cadiz Water project and provides a good overview of its decades-long attempts to "mine" water from the Mojave Desert. MBCA has frequently provided public comments and joined group comments against the project, most recently in August 2023. While the pipeline approval we opposed was granted, the column points out that "Last month (December 2023) the agency reissued the approval for Cadiz to acquire the gas pipeline, but not to convert it for water." (our emphasis)
National Forest Bottled Water Extraction Ordered to Cease
While the name of the company draining water from the San Bernardino Forest has changed from Nestle to BlueTriton, an order from the State Water Resources Control Board requires an end to the extraction by November 1. There have been lawsuits and public campaigns on the issue since 2015, and MBCA reported on it in 2018. The Water Resources Board determined that the company does not have water rights on this land. Read the details in this LA Times article.
MBCA Comments at County Land Use Services Open House
At the County Land Use Services Open House held in Joshua Tree on August 30, MBCA's President Steve Bardwell talked at some length with Mark Wardlaw, new Director of the department. MBCA sent a followup letter outlining concerns about land use issues that affect the Morongo Basin's unincorporated communities particularly. The letter includes some specific suggestions and summarizes our concerns related to water issues, Community Action Guides, climate change, Short-Term Rental ordinances, and a number of other topics.
MBCA Joins Appeal to BLM to Stop Cadiz Water Project
Once again MBCA and many other concerned organizations have made an appeal to prevent the export of precious desert water by Cadiz, Inc. They have again requested permission from the Bureau of Land Management for right-of-way access to an existing pipeline. The letter signed by MBCA and 45 other groups summarizes the harm that would be caused and notes a previous denial of permission that had been granted under the Trump administration and requests another denial. (You can read a number of prior MBCA News posts about Cadiz by using our SEARCH function.)