Prepare to be spun

The Joshua Tree Villas project proposed by Katz Development in Joshua Tree would put 2800 homes as well as retail facilities on a pristine square mile of Joshua tree forest at Section 33, opposite Mentalphysics and bordering Yucca Valley at La Contenta. Not surprisingly, the proposal has been provoking strong community opposition, and we've been informed that now Katz Development has hired professional PR firm GCA Strategies to spin troublesome residents into complaisance.

According to the GCA Strategies Website:

GCA Strategies is America’s top public affairs firm when it comes to overcoming NIMBY opposition to and mobilizing community support for real estate proposals. We’ve written the book on land use public relations – books like “Winning Community Support for Land Use Projects” and “Making Community Meetings Work.” We provide our clients with overall entitlement strategies, community relations plans, agency advocacy plans, public opinion polling, and hostile audience and communication training.

Look out, neighbors: The out-of-state developers are "entitled", and we're "hostile NIMBYs." Feeling dizzy yet?

Star account of Super Wal-Mart approval

Hi-Desert Star reporter Rebecca Unger's account of last Wednesday's Special Town Council Meeting approving the Wal-Mart Supercenter project in Yucca Valley can be viewed on the paper's Website here. With numerous quotes.

Greenpath: LADWP in Yucca Valley July 19!

California Desert Coalition has announced that Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the proponents of the Greenpath North transmission project through our desert, will hold a meeting with the public on July 19 in Yucca Valley. Mark your calendar, and stay tuned for exact time and location.

CDC urges residents to attend: "We believe that 1000 of our voices can make a difference, if we all show up and send a clear message that Green Path North is a major concern of ours. Staying home or going out of town will require a death or dying excuse. Well, maybe that's a bit over the top but you all get the point. This is really really important!!!!"

CDC has also recently added to their Website a photo tour of the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), with an explanation of how the Greenpath North project would impact the ACEC. Take the tour here.


MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: At California Desert Coalition and on the Energy page of the MBCA Website. Previous posts on this blog: Energy, Green Path North.

Drought in Yucca Valley

In last Saturday's Guest Soapbox in the Hi-Desert Star, Bill Souder has provided a sober and clear-eyed perspective on the Yucca Valley water situation in the wake of Gov. Schwarzenegger's proclamation of a statewide drought:

I also attended Tuesday’s meeting and as Director Stadum said, the immediate impact of the drought is not critical due to our reserves. However, I am concerned that a worsening or continuation of the drought could mean no new water supplies or even more reductions on water supplies to Yucca Valley. As Councilwoman Herbel and Director White pointed out, we should take immediate action to minimize water consumption in the HDWD area. Council member Luckino said that “this isn’t a Yucca Valley issue but rather a state issue.” I don’t expect the state to solve our local problem when it is dealing with a statewide problem.

I am disappointed that Stadum’s and Luckino’s responses indicated that they don’t have a sense of urgency on this issue. My experience is that the conservative approach to potential problems is to plan and begin to address them immediately, then adjust the degree of response frequently as the situation changes or doesn’t change. Our federal government has let down our country’s citizens recently by not planning for likely disasters.

Souder further suggests some constructive steps:

Some simple things that can be done to prepare for a possible worsening of the water availability include an emphasis on water conservation by inserting flyers in water bills, restrictions on landscaping to encourage retaining native vegetation and use of xeriscape vegetation, review of water availability assessment for larger housing projects and, potentially, restrictions on water meters/connections.

Souder also recommends residents "contact their Town Council members and directors of the HDWD and let them know that we would like them to implement pre-emptive measures to protect our valuable water supply."

Read the full text of the Soapbox here.


MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Water pages of the MBCA Website. Related blog posts: Water, Yucca Valley, YV water/waste/sewage.

Wildlife in the desert's beds and backyards

A black bear has wandered its way through Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree and into Twentynine Palms, the first one spotted so far east in the Basin in years. It's believed to be a 2-year old from the Big Bear area, according to this account in the Desert Trail. State Fish and Game and the National Park are taking an observational stance for now, unless the bear starts to make a nuisance of itself.

And in other summer wildlife news, the Hi-Desert Star gives the low-down on how to handle the not-so-welcome visitor, the kissing bug.

UPDATE: The bear has been hanging out at the Twentynine Palms Inn and shows no signs of leaving the area. People have unfortunately started to feed it, pretty well guaranteeing its doom. According to Saturday's Star, "Morongo Basin sheriff’s Capt. Donnie Miller said Friday afternoon he was waiting for a game warden from Fish and Game to arrive Twentynine Palms to assess the situation." (06/28/2008)

UPDATE #2: The bear was "tranquilized, tagged and crated at 7:42 p.m. Wednesday by Jeff Villapique, a Fish and Game wildlife biologist based in Big Bear", and later released into the San Gorgonio Mountains. Read the story in The Desert Trail. (07/03/2008)


MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Wildlife page of the MBCA Website, including referrals for issues with both wild and domestic animals.

Wal-Mart Supercenter approved, Stadum project postponed

If you're one of the few people in the Basin who did NOT attend last night's final hearing on the Wal-Mart Supercenter, you may want to know that the Yucca Valley Town Council approved the project 4-1, with Councilwoman Lori Herbel dissenting.

The eyewitness report is that attendance was out the door, with maybe 65% opposed to the project and 35% in favor. The Council was not swayed by the dispute over retail figures, choosing to rely upon the controversial analysis provided in the Environmental Impact Report.

When the marathon reached 11:30 (after starting at 6 p.m.) the Council decided to postpone the planned second focus of the Special Meeting, which was the hearing on Yucca Valley Homes (Stadum) project.


MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Land Use/Development page on the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: WalMart, Yucca Valley.

Wal-Mart Spin is Thick with Lies

The following Reader’s Letter by MBCA President David Fick was published in the June 25, 2008 Hi-Desert Star. You are urged to read for yourself the documents in question, now posted on the MBCA Website.

Wal-Mart Spin is Thick with Lies

“Wal-Mart benefits people, environment” was the title of Mr. John Mendez’s Guest Soapbox Saturday.

Mr. Mendez, a senior manager of public affairs for Wal-Mart, starts his spin early with a fantasy engagement with me. I’ve heard enough “that’s a good question” to know what follows is usually not a good answer.

“As Mr. Fick stated,” he begins, and then proceeds to say things I never stated, showing his well-worn craft that makes him the big bucks.

Mr. Mendez states a new store is needed “because Yucca Valley’s population has increased almost two-thirds since the early 1990s.” Yet Wal-Mart’s own environmental impact report analysis says the 1990 YV population was 16,403 and 2005 YV population 19,726. That’s a 19 percent increase, hardly two-thirds!

Don’t people ever read these EIRs?

Also from the Wal-Mart EIR: “Utilizing employment factors … the proposed project is anticipated to generate approximately 589 jobs.” But Mr. Mendez in his Soapbox is, once again, saying something different, that Wal-Mart Supercenter plans to employ about 410 people (260 current, 150 new). That’s 410, not 589, underpaid, off-the-clock and videotaped people working for that big global company in Arkansas. What’s the truth here?

There’s a lot of tall-talking about Wal-Mart Supercenter and that’s all it is. Some dismiss it as spin, exaggerations or even falsehoods, but they do their job. Wal-Mart spends millions per day on public relations to impress people and send the profits along to Arkansas.

MBCA benefits people and the environment of the Morongo Basin without the lies and money. Instead, we fight with heart and truthful information.

Hope to see you tonight at Yucca Valley Community Center, before 6 pm.

David Fick

Morongo Basin Conservation Association

FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Land Use/Development page on the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: WalMart, Yucca Valley.

Screening of Wal-Mart film tonight!

MBCA will host a special screening of "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" on Tuesday, June 24, in Yucca Valley. The film is a "feature length documentary that uncovers a retail giant's assault on families and American values" and will be followed by an open community discussion. Tuesday, 6 p.m. at the Joshua Tree Room of the Yucca Valley Community Center. Free.

And don't forget the big event: Wednesday night the Town Council will hold a special meeting to consider approval of the Wal-Mart Supercenter EIR. Your voice is needed! Wednesday, June 25, 6 p.m., at the Community Center. Read more about the Wal-Mart proposal and the special meeting on the MBCA blog.


MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the WalMart page on the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: WalMart, Yucca Valley.

"Planned Development Districts" in 29 on agenda

At the regular Twentynine Palms City Council meeting on Tuesday the agenda includes a:

"Discussion on Amending the Twentynine Palms Municipal Code to establish Chapter 19.25 of the Development Code, Planned Development Districts. RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the Planned Development District concept, take public comment and provide direction to staff.

Also on the agenda is a presentation by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians on their Gaming Project.

Tuesday, June 24, 6 p.m., at 6136 Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms.

Alert! Wal-Mart Special Meeting Wednesday, not Thursday!

Dear neighbors,

Next Wednesday's special Town Council meeting may be your last chance to be heard on two controversial proposals in Yucca Valley: the new Wal-Mart Supercenter and the Yucca Valley Homes (Stadum) project.

IMPORTANT: The special meeting on both these projects is WEDNESDAY, June 25 - NOT THURSDAY, as noted incorrectly in the Saturday Hi-Desert Star. The Council may vote on these projects at that meeting and will be hearing the public. Please plan to attend, and make sure your friends and neighbors know the CORRECT DAY!

MBCA is working on arranging a screening of "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" before Wednesday's meeting. Look for an announcement soon.

To learn more about the Wal-Mart Supercenter proposal, we send you to the following resources on the MBCA Website and blog:

• President David Fick's Guest Soapbox from the Hi-Desert Star, June 14.
• The documents that stopped the Council from voting on the Wal-Mart proposal last month, including reports and analyses of the project in terms of crime, urban decay, traffic, etc., are linked from the MBCA Website here. Of particular importance is Dr. Philip King's report on the impacts SWM could have on other retail outlets in Yucca Valley.
• Follow posts about the Wal-Mart proposal on this blog. Note particularly "Abandoned Malls, Suburban Blight" by Stacy Mitchell.
• You can also find out more about Wal-Mart's practices and impacts on communities at http://walmartwatch.com/.

The Yucca Valley Homes (Stadum) proposal is for 90 homes on 60 acres and would include mass grading. The proposal was rejected by the Planning Commission and is now being appealed to the Town Council.

Wednesday's meeting is at 6 pm at the Yucca Valley Community Center. A huge showing is needed to convince the Council that the time for business as usual has passed in Yucca Valley. Be there!

Sincerely,

David Fick
President, Morongo Basin Conservation Association

Oversight of groundwater contamination in Yucca Valley

Seeking to determine responsibilities for regulating groundwater contamination caused by septic tanks, Hi-Desert Water District directors have approved a draft memorandum of agreement among HDWD, the Town of Yucca Valley and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.

According to the Hi-Desert Star, they also decided to make the recurring question of septic-tank regulation a future meeting agenda item.

Also during the meeting, Director Wade White reported on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proclamation of a statewide drought that called for “immediate action to address a dire situation."

Read the rest of the Star report here.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Water pages of the MBCA Website. Related blog posts: Water, Yucca Valley, YV water/waste/sewage.

Press reports on Solar scoping meetings

As the news coverage comes in of the public scoping meetings for the Solar Energy Programmatic environmental review process (PEIS) held this week, positions of various factions are beginning to emerge.

The Press-Enterprise, in coverage of the meeting Monday night in Riverside:

Environmentalists on Monday asked two federal agencies assessing the impacts of solar energy proposals across six Western states to make sure they protect the plants, animals and wilderness areas that are already there.

Companies seeking permission to build those plants asked for flexibility. Wayne Hoffman, director of business and development for OptiSolar, which is seeking to build solar farms near Joshua Tree National Park and in the eastern edge of the San Bernardino County desert, asked the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Energy if they will consider allowing some companies to survey protected wildlife areas in the desert to see if they indeed host certain rare animals that might prevent them from building solar projects.

"We know for a fact some of these areas have weak science," he said.

In a separate P-E article:

"Solar projects in particular have a footprint that reduces the habitat suitability for those species; there's the potential for conflict," said Kevin Hunting, deputy director of the California Department of Fish and Game. "It's all about planning and siting, and we believe there's room for both out there."

And the view from Nevada, where 23 applications for solar projects have been received, is aggressively aggrieved, according to the Las Vegas Sun:

[Director of the renewable energy division of Bombard Electric Chris] Brooks and other solar energy insiders said the moratorium [on processing applications while environmental studies are completed], especially coupled with uncertainty in Congress over long-term tax credits for solar development, would discourage solar manufacturers from locating in the Southwest.

“If you delay the process much ... industry might go to another nation,” Brooks said. “If you’re going to make the process more cumbersome in all six states where solar is most viable, there is absolutely no sense in locating manufacturing” in Nevada.

And that means lost potential jobs, according to a solar industry insider who asked to remain anonymous because he must work with the BLM on future projects.

“It’s really bad for the solar industry and it’s really bad for Nevada,” he said. “It means delays in jobs, delays in economic development, increased reliance on natural gas, electric power. What’s the upside?”

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Energy page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Energy.

Water supplies in Yucca Valley

Two directors of the Hi-Desert Water District met with two members of the YV Town Council this week to discuss water rates and supply, according to the Hi-Desert Star. Among the observations:

• "[HDWD general manager Ed] Muzik projects the district has a seven- to eight-year supply of stored water in reserve, not including native water supply that was originally underground here."
• "[HDWD director Wade] White commented on the 'massive uncertainty' with respect to future water supplies and added, 'The ball game has changed on allocation of water in a serious way.' White suggested that water-supply assessments for proposed housing developments be rescinded in light of Hi-Desert Water District’s dependency on imported water and questions on the reliability of future deliveries."
• "The construction slowdown is apparent in a sharp reduction in installed new services: from 421 meters two years ago to 199 last fiscal year to 82 meters so far this fiscal year, which ends June 30."

Read the rest of the article here.

Energy appetites big for a shrinking Mojave

For an excellent overview of the way the dangerous new desert land rush is being driven by the energy desires of Los Angeles and Gov. Schwarzenegger and the profit motives of international cororate interests, while desert-lovers are being blamed, see the June 9 High Country News:

[S]ome California leaders...suggest that only conservationists now stand in the way of renewable energy. In an April 18 speech at Yale University’s Climate Change Conference, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that "the Germans, the French, the Canadians, the Japanese, they all want to come out to California and put solar power plants in the Mojave desert and in other places. The only thing is that the problem is getting that new energy to the power grid because of environmental hurdles."

For the more local angle read the June 2 article in The Press-Enterprise, here quoting 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt:

"At a time when the desert has become smaller because of urban growth, set-asides for (endangered species) habitat and wilderness, and expansion of military bases, we cannot surrender huge areas of public land without a serious discussion about which resources we can sacrifice and which need to be protected."

And, finally, Basin resident April Sall gives us a desert perspective on the right way and the wrong way of renewable energy development in The Greenwash in the June 2008 Desert Report:

As in the California Gold Rush of 1849, The Mojave Desert is under assault today. State mandates to reduce green house gases (GHG) and increase renewable energy portfolios have created a feeding frenzy, where energy developers are rapidly and chaotically submitting applications for renewable energy exploration and development. The targets of these applications are focused on almost free federal lands – some Right of Ways (ROW) are being leased for the bargain price about $14/linear mile. While desert residents are supportive of renewable energy development, they also want to insure that the energy strategy ultimately implemented includes all the factors involved in meeting our state mandates and energy needs.

Thanks to California Desert Coalition for the links.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: At California Desert Coalition and on the Energy page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Energy, Green Path North.

Atom feed now available

Atom syndication feed is now available for this blog, with link at the bottom of the page.

Subscribing and using a reader can keep you updated on MBCA blog posts without needing to visit this site. Learn more about how subscribing to a feed might be useful to you here.

Report back on Big Solar PEIS scoping meeting in Riverside

The word from an eye-witness at last night's scoping meeting on the Solar Energy Programmatic Environmental review (PEIS) process, which is addressing the deluge of industrial energy projects proposed for the Mojave, was not very encouraging for desert residents who support localized energy solutions and the survival of desert ecologies.

According to our witness, the meeting was standing-room only and included representatives from all the major solar companies, such as Opti Solar, Solar Millennium, Soleil, Unexco, and Ausra. All but one stated that they needed access to environmentally protected areas such as ACEC's and DWEMAs (designated habitats) and wanted the flexibility of putting transmission lines through national parks and other preserves. They also did not want a freeze on new applications during the PEIS process.

We'll post press accounts as they appear.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Energy page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Energy.

Good news on Green Path North

California Desert Coalition has announced it raised nearly $15,000 at its Stop the Towers Hootenanny Saturday night. Congratulations to CDC!

Just as exciting is the news that LADWP is finally considering the obvious alternative, as detailed last Friday by the San Bernardino Sun:

After much urging by elected officials and environmental groups, the agency behind the Green Path North project said Friday it has entered discussions to place the high-tension corridor along an existing power route rather than across undeveloped desert lands.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: At California Desert Coalition and on the Energy page of the MBCA Website. Previous posts on this blog: Energy, Green Path North.

Concealed weapons to be allowed in National Parks?

Citizens have an opportunity to register comments on-line regarding a proposed rule change allowing concealed weapons in National Parks.

"The federal government is considering a proposal to allow visitors to carry loaded, concealed weapons in some national parks, wildlife refuges and monuments," as explained in the New York Times.

The proposed rule is supported by the N.R.A. "But opponents, including several former National Park Service officials, say that the current rules are effective — there is little crime in national parks — and that the change would threaten visitors’ safety and could easily ruin the family-friendly atmosphere of the parks and other attractions." - NYT

Access the on-line comment form here. Deadline: June 30.

Tortoises on Casino property

Tribal officials responded to concerns about tortoise populations on the land slated for construction of a casino and RV park at the intersection of Baseline and Adobe Roads in Twentynine Palms, bordering the National Park.

Following a study which found no tortoises on the site and comments by neighbors of the site that tortoises can be found on the property, [tribal spokesman Rod] Wilson said tribal officials committed to conducting another study.

The article in the Desert Trail further details recent community concerns and the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indian's plans concerning the Environmental Assessment (pdf). Grand opening is still scheduled for March 2009.

MBCA Website back up!

We apologize that the MBCA Website server was down most of Saturday, June 14. It's back up now, and you can easily access the Wal-Mart Supercenter documents here.

"Wal-Mart Supercenter a badly done deal"

The following Guest Soapbox by MBCA President David Fick was published in today's Hi-Desert Star. You are urged to read for yourself the documents in question, now posted on the MBCA Website.

In 1992, a newly incorporated Yucca Valley town welcomed Wal-Mart with a gift of a million dollars and a look the other way as 468 Joshua trees were bladed down. This new store on the east edge of town and the first Gulf War ended many local businesses. Another war and maybe another Wal-Mart Supercenter on the east edge of town will bring much more sacrifice from the Yucca Valley business community. The Town Council soon decides if the Morongo Basin needs to serve this global giant from Arkansas. The Surrender Monkeys to Development at any cost say yes. The people who have considered the trade in local jobs, business loss and social damage say
no.

The proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter is about 180,000 square feet with the grocery portion taking 60,000 square feet. That leaves 120,000 square feet for the non-grocery retail, which is 10,000 square feet or 8 percent more than the old Wal-Mart. Although that increase doesn’t match all the hype of Wal-Mart’s needed extra room, the grocery portion is the part that does the damage. Wal-Mart wants it customers that normally visit two to three times a month as a Wal-Mart to increase their visitation to two to three times a week as a Wal-Mart Supercenter. The resulting 400 percent visit increase captures even more non-grocery retail. This grocery outlet becomes a “Loss Leader” and Wal-Mart will subsidize its damage till Yucca Valley loses two grocery stores and a number of assorted retail businesses. Wal-Mart is about its sustainability, not Yucca Valley’s or the Morongo Basin’s.

On May 22, the Town Council received more timely information about Wal-Mart Supercenter’s environmental impact report. Hundreds of pages of studies, reports and memos in PDF form and hard copy. We, as the Morongo Basin Conservation Association (MBCA), got permission to put this information on our Web site. Dr. Philip King’s memo on the urban decay of Yucca Valley exposes the impacts this project would have on retail demand, a glut of vacant retail space and the predatory grocery sales of Wal-Mart. The other reports re-affirm the increase in crime, traffic and social ills that this Wal-Mart Supercenter presents to Yucca Valley.

One of the premises in the Wal-Mart Supercenter’s EIR is that retail growth demand will be 5 percent a year and that the housing boom of two to three years ago would continue. Those abounding “rooftops” were to soften the $30 million grocery sales loss to the other four grocery stores. They were wrong and within a year of Wal-Mart Supercenter’s opening, Food 4 Less and Stater Bros. West (little Staters) would close.

Regarding growth and Yucca Valley, the State Water Project is in extreme trouble of it’s own and Yucca Valley’s aquifer recharge situation has an unknown future. Limited water means limited growth.

For those people who look forward to cheaper groceries (3 to 5 percent less) and more stuff (8 percent more) to buy, I wonder what other trade-off decisions you’ve made in life. The many who oppose this project are a little less selfish and have considered the situation of Yucca Valley’s general health more important.

The next Town Council meeting about Wal-Mart Supercenter is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, in the Yucca Valley Community Center.

FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the WalMart page on the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: WalMart, Yucca Valley.

"Joshua Basin to sue over water rights"

An initiative by Joshua Tree resident Michael Luhrs that would roll back rates at Joshua Basin Water District has stalled. The water district’s board of directors, minus President Bill Long, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery, voted to initiate litigation to determine the legality of the initiative at a June 4 meeting.

Read the rest in the Hi-Desert Star.

Correction: Solar Written Comment Deadline JULY 15

Correction on the previous post: The deadline for written comments on the PEIS is JULY 15, not June 15.

The scoping meetings, however, are next week.

Deadline on Big Solar scoping NOW!

Scoping meetings for an environmental review of the impacts of the blitz of industrial solar energy projects proposed for the Mojave and other desert areas have been announced for next week by the Bureau of Land Management. Your input is needed!

This is your chance to ask why General Electric, Goldman Sachs, and the big utilities should be allowed to obliterate the desert in order to sell energy to the urban areas instead of putting decentralized solar on all the rooftops we already have.

As noted previously on this blog, the BLM, in cooperation with the Department of Energy, is developing the Solar Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). According to the Sacramento Business Journal:

The BLM, now faced with at least 130 proposals to build solar and other renewable energy projects in California's deserts, has stopped accepting new right-of-way applications for solar projects until it completes [the PEIS].

The PEIS will help balance the rising demand to tap renewable energy resources in California's arid areas while maintaining desert land as habitat for plants and animals. The BLM said "measures adopted as a result of the PEIS will provide consistency and certainty for solar energy development and will help expedite environmental analysis for site specific projects in the future."

California meetings will include Riverside on Monday, June 16; Barstow on Tuesday, June 17; and Sacramento on Thursday, June 19. You may also submit written comments by Sunday, June 15. [CORRECTION: WRITTEN COMMENT DEADLINE IS JULY 15, NOT JUNE 15.] More details on the BLM news release.

In-depth information on the program and the scoping process can be viewed at the Solar Energy Development PEIS Information Center.

The push of Big Solar into the Mojave has every potential to completely transform the desert in which we live. It's important that the survival of our way of life and of the many creatures who live here be considered. Don't count on the BLM to "maintain habitat." Make your voice heard!

ERRATA: Written comment deadline is JULY 15, not June 15. Apologies.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Energy page of the MBCA Website. Previous posts: Energy.

MBCA Meets Thursday, June 12

The regular monthly meeting of the MBCA Board will be tomorrow, June 12, at 9 a.m. at PFF Bank and Trust, 57271 Twentynine Palms Highway in Yucca Valley.

You are invited! :)

Yucca Valley Wal-Mart Supercenter EIR Challenged

The Yucca Valley Town Council met on Thursday, May 22, 2008 to consider approval of the Wal-Mart Supercenter Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Approximately 300 people attended the Council meeting, 205 submitted Request to Speak forms, and 42 spoke during the Public Hearing session. The final tally: 123 voted NO (60%) and 82 voted YES (40%).

Many of the YES votes were Wal-Mart employees who vigorously supported Wal-Mart, claiming good wages, benefits and working conditions.

Wal-Mart’s PowerPoint presentation included architectural renditions of the proposed Supercenter building and grounds, commentary on Wal-Mart’s supposed benefits to the community, etc.

The Town Council vote was postponed until June 25 because of two late submissions challenging the assumptions of the EIR. The submissions were from Mathew D. Vespa, Esq. and Jonathan Evans, Esq., of The Center for Biological Diversity and from John McClendon, Esq., of the environmental firm Leibold McClendon & Mann, P.C.

The challenges are comprehensive and authoritative and dismantle some of the underlying assumptions of the Wal-Mart Supercenter EIR.

Note especially Philip King Ph.D. Memo to YV re EIR where Dr. King concludes, “Yucca Valley has a surplus of retail space, and the Supercenter will exacerbate this surplus, leading to significant and substantial urban decay”.

All of the McClendon submissions may be viewed on the MBCA Website here. You are encouraged to read them for yourself.

For more background on the Yucca Valley Wal-Mart Supercenter proposal see previous blog posts on this topic.

For more information on Wal-Mart in general, go to Wal-Mart Watch.

Next Town Council hearing on the proposal: Wednesday, June 25, at 6 p.m. in the Yucca Room of the Community Center. Public is encouraged to attend.

Building state-wide curtailed by drought

As California faces one of its worst droughts in two decades, building projects are being curtailed for the first time under state law by the inability of developers to find long-term water supplies.

Water authorities and other government agencies scattered throughout [California]...have begun denying, delaying or challenging authorization for dozens of housing tracts and other developments under a state law that requires a 20-year water supply as a condition for building.

[snip]

The state law was enacted in 2001, but until statewide water shortages, it had not been invoked to hold up projects.

While previous droughts and supply problems have led to severe water cutbacks and rationing, water officials said the outright refusal to sign off on projects over water scarcity had until now been virtually unheard of on a statewide scale.

Read the rest in the New York Times.

MORE INFO ON THESE TOPICS: On the Water page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Water.

Johnson Valley group concerned about Base expansion

Concerned about the Marine Base plans to expand, a new Johnson Valley "Partnership" has formed to present concerns to Base officials. The areas being considered for expansion include a portion of the Johnson Valley off-road vehicle open-access area. According to the Hi-Desert Star:

The original meeting with the military was orchestrated by Ed Waldheim, a past commissioner of the California OHV Commission who represented OHV interests in Sacramento for 10 years. At the original meeting, a coalition of groups was asked to participate to represent local stakeholders. They were invited back by the military to give a formal presentation.After their second meeting with the military, the coalition participants agreed to form a partnership and establish themselves as a non-profit under the California Trail Users Coalition.

Of note, in its Land Acquisition Study FAQ page, the Combat Center states the following in response to a question of "Where would off-roaders go?" if the expansion annexed a portion of the Johnson Valley OHV area:

They would still be able to operate within other areas of the Johnson Valley area that the Bureau of Land Management deems appropriate for off-road enthusiasts and through NEPA we would work with these stakeholders to identify other potential sites for this type of use.

ADDENDUM: The Partnership for Johnson Valley now has a Website.


MORE INFO ON THESE ISSUES: On Community ORV Watch and on the Off-Road Vehicle page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Off-Road Vehicles, Johnson Valley.

Transcripts from Senate ORV hearing

Following up on the previous post: Transcripts of last week's Senate hearing on off-road vehicle management on public lands can be viewed on the Website of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources. The archive webcast can also be viewed from a link on that site.

Witnesses included representatives of the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, American Motorcyclist Association, BlueRibbon Coalition, Trout Unlimited, Wilderness Society, and the Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association. Local Basin groups also submitted testimony.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On Community ORV Watch and on the Off-Road Vehicle page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Off-Road Vehicles.

Senate holds hearing on off-road vehicle use

For the first time, a Senate panel held a hearing specifically on off-road vehicle usage yesterday in Washington, D.C.

Scott Miller, the committee staffer who organized the oversight hearing, said the event will help inform senators about the debate and will be similar to a March 13 House Committee on Natural Resources hearing on the subject. There's no pending new legislation, he said.

"The popularity of ORVs on public lands has grown dramatically," Miller told The Associated Press. As a result, the management challenges have grown dramatically as well. We're trying to get our members to better understand our issues." - seattlepi.com

Of note, the Morongo Basin's Community ORV Watch (COW) testified at the similar House Committee hearing in March.

MBCA and COW have long been pushing for licensing and registration of ORVs similar to that required of street vehicles, in order to build accountability into off-roading, where currently a puzzling standard of anonymity prevails. The battles between off-roaders and property owners will continue as long as riders believe they will not be held responsible for their actions.

In a recognition of problems caused by this troubling lapse in regulation, at yesterday's hearing, according to The Hill:

Frank Adams, executive director of the Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association, said one of the largest problems he and his colleagues face is that motorcycles and recreational vehicles are often unlicensed. Nevada, for example, does not require off-road vehicles to be licensed. Adams said that he believes there should be standardized federal licensing rules.

But plating every motorcycle would come at the cost of anonymity, which is prized by motorcyclists and off-road vehicle users.

"Prized"? Anonymity is prized by criminals, too, but that doesn't make it their right. That ORV riders should be accountable for their actions is only common sense and perfectly in line with our expectations of all citizens. Why is this one category of activity the exception?

It's about time Congress started examining the practices of off-roading.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On Community ORV Watch and on the Off-Road Vehicle page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Off-Road Vehicles.

Johnson Valley: Water, Energy, ORV issues

Johnson Valley is in the news regarding its water resources as well as a proposal to site a wind energy project within the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle area.

The Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency has grant money to study the Johnson Valley aquifer, but the matter is hardly simple, according to the Hi-Desert Star:

At the controversial heart of the matter is the protection of private well owners’ water rights. Few Johnson Valley residents are on metered water delivery systems. Members of this independent community rely on water trucks, hauling their own or sinking wells at their own expense. Betty Munson, president of the Johnson Valley Improvement Association, claimed, “Johnson Valley does not want improvements or add-ons, nor should its water be exported elsewhere. This came up several years ago and everyone said ‘No!’” Another concern for some Johnson Valley residents is that expanded water infrastructure will bring unwanted outside development.

[Board President Phil] Johnson further explained the agency’s position: “We’re not looking to put in a water system, we’re looking to manage resources. All water underground belongs to the state. People in California demand that we stop waste. We have to collect data to see if lost water can be saved.”

In further Johnson Valley news, the Bureau of Land Management has announced public scoping for the West Fry Wind Energy Project, 34 wind turbines and ancillary facilities to be located on BLM lands within the Johnson Valley OHV area. More info here.

MORE INFO ON THESE ISSUES: On Community ORV Watch and on the Energy and Water pages of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Energy.

Hansberger takes LA Mayor to task on Green Path North

According to the California Desert Coalition,

San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor Dennis Hansberger has written to Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa and Los Angeles City Council members in a strongly worded letter that opposes the LADWP Green Path North project. Supervisor Hansberger tells Mayor Villaraigosa
that:

"The proposed GPN project will have potentially devastating impacts on desert lands, vegetation, wildlife, and local communities; and I urge you abandon the Green Path North project in favor of an alternative that uses the existing energy corridors."

Hansberger points to LADWP's complete disregard for our property and lack of consultation with local residents and urges the mayor to direct his LADWP appointees to drop the proposed Green Path North project.

Read the letter on the CDC Website here.

Also, tickets are now on sale for the CDC benefit Stop the Towers Hootenanny on June 14! More info here.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: At California Desert Coalition and on the Energy page of the MBCA Website. Previous posts on this blog: Energy, Green Path North.