The Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council heard about Marine Base programs, met the new National Park superintendent, and hoped to prod the county into action in diverse areas. Reporter Dan Stork reports on those items, and on a rejected invitation revealed during public comment…
Erin Adams, from the Community Plan Liaison office at the Marine Base, gave an overview of “green” programs at the Base, covering lead acid battery reconditioning, antifreeze recycling, cogeneration, fuel use reduction, water conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, and solar energy—both rooftop and fields.
The Council passed two resolutions: one urging the county to be more equitable in the disbursement of Community Development Block Grants to organizations in unincorporated areas, and the other pushing the county to take a more active role in the review of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
Mike Lipsitz reported that in-ground power lines are being laid at a 35-acre solar field project in Landers, the developer having gotten approval from one County department for that activity, although the project as a whole has not passed through the 31-point evaluation process that is now a County ordinance.
Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent David Smith introduced himself to the community, and repeated information about proposed fee increases and financial constraints that he has presented in other meetings around the area.
During public comment, Joshua Tree resident and businesswoman Celeste Doyle reported that she had refused an invitation to sit down with other selected citizens and the developers of the proposed Alta Mira project, to discuss compromises and mitigations. Doyle felt the meeting is inappropriate, since Joshua Tree has no representative body with authority to review projects.
MORONGO BASIN MAC MET LAST NIGHT, TWO RESOLUTIONS PASSED
