YUCCA VALLEY – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is engaged on a project to allow a key groundwater quality project to proceed in the town of Yucca Valley, in San Bernardino County. The project, to decommission thousands of septic tanks in the community and replace them with a sewer system, is designed to improve and safeguard water quality for the local residents and surrounding desert habitats.
The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act requires that any project that may impact or remove western Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) must be approved by CDFW through an incidental take permit. This permit, issued to Hi-Desert Water District and includes the region’s participating homeowners, covers potential impacts to western Joshua trees during the scope of the sewer upgrade construction project.
The project stems directly from a California Regional Water Quality Control Board Colorado River Basin Region Order (Order), which prohibits the continued use of septic tanks in Yucca Valley due to ongoing threats to groundwater quality. The Yucca Valley region is entirely dependent on groundwater for drinking water.
“In a low-cost and efficient way, this partnership between CDFW and Hi-Desert Water District will help hundreds of local residents decommission their septic tanks and secure a new sewer system,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “We're meeting the state’s goals on protecting our precious water supplies and helping families connect to a brand-new sewer line, all while minimizing harm to California’s iconic Joshua trees.”
"This project represents a significant step forward for Yucca Valley—not only in protecting our groundwater, but in showing how strong partnerships can deliver for our community,” said Tony Culver, General Manager of Hi-Desert Water District. “Our collaboration with CDFW’s staff has been essential to navigating the conservation requirements while keeping the project on track and affordable for local residents.”
In order to provide financial support to homeowners in the under-resourced community of Yucca Valley, CDFW worked collaboratively with Hi-Desert Water District to help maximize available funds from the district while finding a creative way to cover mitigation fees homeowners may incur through this project. Under the permit, Hi-Desert Water District and the homeowners participating in the project are required to avoid and minimize harm to western Joshua trees whenever possible.
For more information on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, visit CDFW’s website.
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Media Contacts:
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714
Heidi Calvert, CDFW Regional Manager, heidi.calvert@wildlife.ca.gov