Bill Overview
Title: Desert Lands Protection Act
Description: This bill revises a provision regarding the California Desert Conservation Area to specify that the prohibition on activities contrary to the conservation purposes of the area only applies within the area.
Sponsors: Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by the California Desert Conservation Area
Estimated Size: 100000
- The bill concerns the California Desert Conservation Area, which is located in the southeastern part of California.
- This legislation aims to revise and potentially expand conservation efforts in this region.
- The California Desert Conservation Area spans millions of acres, affecting wildlife, land management practices, recreational opportunities, and possibly local communities within and surrounding the area.
- Environmental conservation laws primarily impact individuals who live in, own property in, or utilize the areas for recreation or business.
- Indigenous communities, such as tribes associated with desert lands, might also be impacted by changes in land management.
- There may be environmental protection groups and local or state government stakeholders interested in conservation efforts.
Reasoning
- The Desert Lands Protection Act exclusively impacts the California Desert Conservation Area, therefore directly affecting those who live in, work in, or utilize these lands for various purposes.
- The $25M budget in the first year constrains the policy to changes that are relatively localized or require administrative adjustments rather than large-scale infrastructural changes.
- Over a 10-year period, a total budget of $290.5M allows for some expansion and enhancement of conservation efforts, which may benefit conservation groups and wildlife significantly, but also requires strategic allocation of resources to maintain balance with human activities.
- Given the sparsely populated nature of desert environments, the commonness of individuals directly affected will vary significantly, with higher impacts on residents of areas like San Bernardino and Riverside.
- Local indigenous communities and tribes, as well as tourists and recreation-focused businesses, will likely show moderate to high interest, depending on changes to land access and usage.
- Environmental interest groups will also have vested interests, and although most members may not be directly living there, their advocacy efforts are central to policy changes.
Simulated Interviews
Park Ranger (San Bernardino, CA)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm supportive of preserving the natural beauty and wildlife within the desert, but my main concern is ensuring that the public can still access and enjoy it without significant restrictions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Conservation Scientist (Riverside, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The revision might bolster our efforts to protect endangered species and increase habitat restoration projects—it’s crucial for preserving our environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Real Estate Developer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any restrictions could limit opportunities for development and possibly affect property values—there needs to be a balance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Local Business Owner (Eco-tourism) (Yucca Valley, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As long as access isn’t overly restricted, this could enhance the natural appeal for tourists—combining protection and business doesn’t have to be conflicting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Palm Springs, CA)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want these lands protected for future generations, but I also enjoy access—finding that balance is key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Environmental Activist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a big win for those of us advocating for stronger protections, but it must be implemented effectively to see real benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Tribal Leader of a Local Indigenous Group (Riverside, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes should respect and incorporate traditional knowledge and rights—successful collaboration with tribes is essential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Tourist (New York, NY)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I love hiking in these unique environments, so preserving them while maintaining access is crucial—it’s part of what makes my visits special.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Artist (Joshua Tree, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The desert landscapes are a huge source of inspiration; any policy that protects these areas positively influences my work and wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Wildlife Biologist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Conservation is critical, but it shouldn’t overly impede scientific research or data collection—we need both protection and access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 3: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 5: $28000000 (Low: $22500000, High: $33500000)
Year 10: $35000000 (Low: $29000000, High: $41000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $115000000)
Key Considerations
- Long-term environmental protection benefits could lead to economic stability and growth in sectors like tourism.
- The bill potentially conflicts with current uses of land for industrial purposes, requiring negotiation and mitigation efforts.
- The cost and effectiveness of the policy may depend heavily on local stakeholder engagement and compliance.