Policies

1. Policy LU-4.3 Native or drought-tolerant landscaping

   We require new development, when outside of high and very high fire hazard severity zones, to install and maintain drought-tolerant landscaping and encourage the use of native species.

   GO TO POLICY

Goals

1. Goal IU-1 Water Supply

   Water supply and infrastructure are sufficient for the needs of residents and businesses and are resilient to drought

   GO TO GOAL

Policies

1. Policy IU-1.1 Water supply

   We require that new development be connected to a public water system or a County-approved well to ensure a clean and resilient supply of potable water, even during cases of prolonged drought.

   GO TO POLICY

2. Policy IU-1.10 Connected systems

   We encourage local water distribution systems to interconnect with regional and other local systems, where feasible, to assist in the transfer of water resources during droughts and emergencies.

   GO TO POLICY

3. Policy IU-1.11 Water storage and conveyance

   We assist in development of additional water storage and conveyance facilities to create a resilient regional water supply system, when it is cost effective for County-owned water and stormwater systems.

   GO TO POLICY

Goals

1. Goal PP-4 Emergency Preparedness and Recovery

   A reduced risk of and impact from injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption resulting from emergencies, natural disasters, and potential changes in climate.

   GO TO GOAL

Policies

1. Policy PP-3.7 Fire safe design

   We require new development in the Fire Safety Overlay to comply with additional site design, building, and access standards to provide enhanced resistance to fire hazards.

   GO TO POLICY

2. Policy PP-3.8 Fire-adapted communities

   We inform and prepare our residents and businesses to collaboratively plan and take action to more safely coexist with the risk of wildfires.

   GO TO POLICY

3. Policy PP-3.10 Community outreach

   We engage with local schools, community groups, and businesses to increase awareness of fire risk, prevention, and evacuation.

   GO TO POLICY

4. Policy PP-4.1 Emergency management plans

   A reduced risk of and impact from injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption resulting from emergencies, natural disasters, and potential changes in climate.

   GO TO POLICY

5. Policy PP-4.2 Critical and essential facility operation

   We ensure that critical and essential County facilities remain operational during emergencies.

   GO TO POLICY

6. Policy PP-4.4 Emergency shelters and routes

   We identify and publicize emergency shelters and sign and control evacuation routes for use during emergencies.

   GO TO POLICY

7. Policy PP-4.5 Vulnerable populations

   We coordinate with and encourage the use of community-based networks to aid vulnerable populations prepare for emergencies and provide assistance with evacuation and recovery.

   GO TO POLICY

8. Policy PP-4.6 Recovery

   We reestablish and expedite County services to assist affected residents and businesses in the short- and long-term recovery from emergencies and natural disasters.

   GO TO POLICY

Policies

1. Policy NR-5.3 Multiple-resource benefits

   We prioritize conservation actions that demonstrate multiple resource preservation benefits, such as biology, climate change adaptation and resiliency, hydrology, cultural, scenic, and community character.

   GO TO POLICY

Policies

1. Policy RE-3.3

   Promote an adaptive distributed energy infrastructure that sustains local communities and improves resiliency to grid failures and increasing energy prices.

   • RE 3.3.1: Support research, planning and investment in accessory and community-oriented energy generation, distribution, and storage infrastructure by adapting regulatory tools to respond to rapidly evolving RE technologies.
   • RE 3.3.2: Encourage new institutional campuses and large residential/commercial developments to include micro-grids with onsite renewable energy generation and energy storage systems.
   GO TO POLICY

Goals

1. Goal HZ-1 Natural Environmental Hazards

   Minimized risk of injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption caused by natural environmental hazards and adaptation to potential changes in climate.

   GO TO GOAL

Policies

1. Policy HZ-1.5 Existing properties in environmental hazard areas

   We encourage owners of existing properties in hazard areas to add design features that allow occupants to shelter in place and to have sufficient time to evacuate during times of extreme weather and natural disasters.

   GO TO POLICY

2. Policy HZ-1.10 Energy independence

   We encourage new residential development to include rooftop solar energy systems and battery storage systems that can provide backup electrical service during temporary power outages.

   GO TO POLICY

3. Policy HZ-1.11 Energy efficiency retrofits

   We encourage owners of existing residential and commercial properties to retrofit the walls, doors, windows, ceilings, roofs, ductwork, and other elements of their building envelopes, in order to improve energy efficiency and better protect occupants from extreme temperatures.

   GO TO POLICY

4. Policy Policy HZ-1.12 Local hazard mitigation plan implementation

   We require adherence to the goals, objectives and actions in the Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and subsequent amendments to reduce and mitigate damages from hazards in the county.

   GO TO POLICY

5. Policy Policy HZ-1.13 Fire protection planning

   We require that all new development in County-designated Fire Safety Overlay and/or CAL FIRE-designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones meet the requirements of the California Fire Code and the California Building Code as amended by the County Fire Protection District, including Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations fire safety requirements for any new development within State Responsibility Areas, as well as provide and maintain a Fire Protection Plan or Defensible Space/Fuel Modification Plan and other pre-planning measures in accordance with the County Code of Ordinances.

   GO TO POLICY

6. Policy Policy HZ-1.14 Long-term fire hazard reduction and abatement

   We require proactive vegetation management/hazard abatement to reduce fire hazards on existing private properties, along roadsides of evacuation routes out of wildfire prone areas, and other private/public land where applicable, and we require new development to enter into a long-term maintenance agreement for vegetation management in defensible space, fuel modification, and roadside fuel reduction in the Fire Safety Overlay and/or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

   GO TO POLICY

7. Policy Policy HZ-1.15 Evacuation route adequacy

   We coordinate with CAL FIRE, California’s Office of Emergency Services, and other local fire districts to identify strategies that ensure the maintenance and reliability of evacuation routes potentially compromised by wildfire, including emergency evacuation and supply transportation routes.

   GO TO POLICY

1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Improve the quality of our built environment to enhance community health, safety, neighborhood character, and the image of our business corridors.

   Action Statement A.8

   Create and maintain a healthy forest and forest fuels management program.

   GO TO ACTION PLAN

1. FOCUS STATEMENT G - Reinforce the sense of “community”

   Action Statement G.4

   Embrace the Transition Movement, which aims to increase Volunteer group or person or can be identified by the community self-sufficiency to reduce the potential effects of peak oil, climate change, and economic instability.

   GO TO ACTION PLAN

1. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Maintain and enhance Helendale’s aesthetic value

   Action Statement C.1

   Expand the desert cleanup program to at least 2 times a year to reduce the overall amount of refuse and litter on undeveloped and public lands within Helendale.

   GO TO ACTION PLAN

1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Reduce the impacts associated with seasonal visitors and tourist activities

   Action Statement B.5

   Advocate with the National Forest Service (NFS) to provide snow play/recreation areas and parking that does not impact the environment.

   GO TO ACTION PLAN

1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Promote and enhance responsible use of natural resources

   Action Statement A.3

   Advocate with the United States Forest Service (USFS) to require permits for use of high volume trails.

   GO TO ACTION PLAN

1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Restore, preserve, and enhance the rural characteristics of Homestead Valley

   Action Statement A.1

   IN PROCESS: Advocate for San Bernardino County to adopt and enforce “Dark Skies” requirements for buildings and outdoor lighting to minimize light pollution.

   GO TO ACTION PLAN

2. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve public health and safety in Homestead Valley

   Action Statement B.1

   Prepare a community flash flood protection plan, identifying the areas that are most vulnerable to flash floods and developing strategies to make the community more resilient to these events.*

   GO TO ACTION PLAN