San Bernardino County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Bernardino County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Surface Mining and Land Reclamation Ordinance Update
The Board adopted the long-disputed update to county mining rules after residents from Wonder Valley, Yucca Valley and Wrightwood said outreach was inadequate and feared the changes could clear the way for the proposed 20,000-acre Music Valley rare earth mine near Joshua Tree. Staff says the update keeps the county as the state's lead mining agency; opponents worry federal-land projects will escape full county review.
Regional Renewable Energy Siting and Grid Reliability
Residents and conservation groups appealed the Planning Commission's approval of a massive 525-megawatt solar and battery facility in Lucerne Valley, arguing it violates county renewable energy protection policies, damages scenic vistas along a newly designated state scenic highway, and worsens blowing dust. The Board of Supervisors ultimately denied the appeal due to a lack of legal grounds to overturn the project, despite expressing personal reservations about large-scale desert solar development.
Siena Solar Project Appeal
Residents and conservation groups appealed the Planning Commission's approval of a massive 525-megawatt solar and battery facility in Lucerne Valley, arguing it violates county renewable energy protection policies, damages scenic vistas along a newly designated state scenic highway, and worsens blowing dust. The Board of Supervisors ultimately denied the appeal due to a lack of legal grounds to overturn the project, despite expressing personal reservations about large-scale desert solar development.