San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Meeting 8.4.26 Part 2

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors held a meeting on August 4, 2026, which included a detailed discussion and public hearing on the Mercury Dry Campground project, a proposed 12-site primitive campground in a rural living zone near Joshua Tree. The board reviewed an appeal against the project, which raised concerns about land use incompatibility, environmental impacts, noise, public safety, and potential negative effects on neighboring property values. The applicants presented their case emphasizing the project's small scale, environmental stewardship, and the need for regulated camping options due to high demand in the area. The board discussed conditions of approval, including restrictions on RVs, generators, vehicle length, and occupancy limits. After public comments both supporting and opposing the project, the board voted unanimously to deny the appeal and uphold the planning commission's approval with modifications to the conditions of approval to address noise and vehicle restrictions. The meeting also included public comments on unrelated topics such as agricultural land management and child welfare system concerns, and concluded with a report on behavioral health services improvements in the county.