Environmental advocacy coalition asks for warehouse moratorium – list includes 7 High Desert warehouses

Published on

Over 60 environmental advocacy groups ask for warehouse moratorium – list includes 7 High Desert warehouses
Photo credit: The HD Post

HESPERIA – Over 60 environmental advocacy groups are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to impose a one to two year moratorium on warehouses, including seven in the High Desert. The coalition says the moratorium will allow time to implement policies to address warehouse growth and an accompanying health crisis within Inland communities.

In a letter dated January 23, 2023, the coalition comprised of the Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, R-Now and others, asked Newsom to declare a state of emergency for public health in California’s Inland Empire. 

“In the Inland Empire, warehouse growth is one of the most critical environmental justice issues of our time. The rise of e-commerce since the COVID-19 pandemic has brought warehouse growth, decreased air quality, and health inequities into sharp focus,” states the letter.

Approved and Pending Warehouses

The letter goes on to state that the Inland Empire has approximately 1 billion square feet of warehouse space. An additional 170 million square feet are currently approved or pending. Listed warehouse developments in the High Desert that would be affected are:

  • Hesperia Commerce Center II 
  • Apple Valley 143 
  • I-15 Industrial Park
  • Southern California Logistics Airport Lot 44 Distribution Center
  • Ottawa Business Center
  • Dara Industrial 
  • United States Cold Storage Hesperia 
Over 60 environmental advocacy groups ask for warehouse moratorium – list includes 7 High Desert warehouses
Photo credit: Robert Redford Conservancy Warehouse CITY

“Alarming statistics accompany this footprint: pollution and carbon emissions, increased heat, traffic, and health and safety issues both in the workplace and in our communities,” states the letter.

RELATED: Warehouse tenants facing a 62% rent increase

In addition to the moratorium, the coalition asked for interventions that include identifying communities of high exposure to create higher standards for project approval and mandated up-front mitigation of environmental harms like green infrastructure.

Although the coalition would like the state to declare a public health crisis in the Inland Empire, San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman says otherwise.

In a statement to the Press-Enterprise, Hagman said that the logistics industry “continues to invest in environmentally friendly buildings and the trucking industry commits to vehicles with reduced or near zero-emission emissions. He added that California has strict environmental laws which all local governments must obey.

spot_img

Latest articles

High Desert Association of Realtors hosting fair housing workshop April 20

HESPERIA – Homebuyer education, closing costs assistance and senior services are a few of...

Victorville Sings! auditions taking place May 17

VICTORVILLE – Victorville is holding singing auditions, May 17, for a chance to perform...

CA compensating people who were forcibly sterilized at state institutions until Dec. 31

STATEWIDE – The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) is awarding money, until December 31,...

Value Added Producer Grant awards up to $250,0000 for farmers

STATEWIDE – The US Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications, due May 11,...
Powered by Foreclosure.com

More like this

High Desert Association of Realtors hosting fair housing workshop April 20

HESPERIA – Homebuyer education, closing costs assistance and senior services are a few of...

Victorville Sings! auditions taking place May 17

VICTORVILLE – Victorville is holding singing auditions, May 17, for a chance to perform...

CA compensating people who were forcibly sterilized at state institutions until Dec. 31

STATEWIDE – The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) is awarding money, until December 31,...