The Morongo Basin Conservation Association along with the Indian Cove Neighbors Organizing Committee hosted a town hall meeting on Saturday May 31, 2025 at the Twentynine Palms Community Center to discuss proposed developments including the Ofland Hotel Resort and the industrial-scale solar power plant proposed by Slovakian energy developer E-Group. These two projects have a lot in common. Both projects seek to commercialize a patch of scenic desert that lies just east of Lear Avenue in Twentynine Palms. This piece of land is habitat for a thriving population of the Desert Tortoise (an endangered species) and lies within city limits–providing beautiful natural views, open space, other benefits to nearby residents and passers-by. Neither development has been permitted by the City of Twentynine Palms but developers have submitted their applications and review is underway. Getting buy-in from local residents and their elected representatives is an integral part of the permitting process too. Residents are organizing to express their opposition.

If you were not able to make it to the meeting, you can find a detailed discussion of the conversation in an excellent article in our local publication The Desert Trumpet titled:  Finding Balance Town Hall Recap: A Morongo Basin Conversation on Development in Our Ecosystem, authored by Eleanor Whitney. See https://www.deserttrumpet.org/p/finding-balance-town-hall-recap-a

Overall, the meeting had a “focus on community engagement, representation, and development.” As the article in the Desert Trumpet stated:

Representation, education, and community involvement were major themes of the afternoon and the Town Hall had an overall proactive tone. Guest speakers and community members brought up multiple ways that residents can stay informed, get involved, speak up, and push back against proposed developments, as well as create a proactive, positive vision for development. However, they also concurred that there could be more transparent lines of communication when it comes to development, especially at the county level.

Speakers emphasized that, in order for public opinion to count, it is important for citizens to come to the planning commission meetings and city council hearings in Twentynine Palms. This is ultimately where the decisions are being made made about the solar plant, Ofland resort, and other development projects in our community. After all, civic engagement is our right, privilege, and joy–as well as our best hope for making wise decisions that best serve us all.