On October 22nd, we reported on an investigation within the borders of Joshua Tree National Park in the Whispering Pines region near Covington Flats.
After residents of Covington Flats alerted officials of the Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) about what appeared to be construction vehicle traffic along upper La Contenta and Covington Flat Road, they took a closer look. Whatever they found sparked an ongoing investigation that has stopped that traffic for now.
Subsequently, the parks’ investigation led to a halt in the construction of a structure on a private parcel within the park, known as an ‘inholding.’ (JTNP currently has approximately 100 of these inholdings within its’ borders). In speaking with Z107.7FM on the matter, Jeffrey Filosa, Chief of Visitor and Resource Protection, wanted to clarify:
“We were enforcing a violation of a permit related to the road going up there,” said Filosa. “We don’t have any stance on the actual construction that’s going on at the property. We don’t regulate what happens on private property. We’re not doing any enforcement as it relates to construction that happens on the piece of private property.”
Filosa wanted to make clear that Joshua Tree National Park did not halt the construction itself, only the Commercial Vehicle and Special Use permit(s) that were being used to access the site. He also reiterated the reality of property rights, which also applies to inholdings.
“We have no method to actually halt the construction, nor would the park take a stance on that. It’s their private property, they can do with it what they wish,” said Filosa.
While Filosa could not provide nor confirm any details of the investigation, the violation is likely related to alterations or damage to park roads and/or park land that abuts the privately-owned parcels. Filosa noted that while the idea of owning a private parcel within a national park sounds like a dream to many, the reality is much more complex – no electricity, no water, and little to no road access. (We have confirmed that a well was drilled on the property in question on March 18, 2022, by North American Drilling Company based in Yucca Valley.)
“You just better get comfortable with dealing with the federal government, a lot, because we require a lot of permits to do things. That’s just the way it is. There’s a lot of regulations that come with a national park. National parks, in general, we have a blanket prohibition on commercial use. Every commercial anything that goes on in the park is permitted by us. It’s not like we allow it and only restrict some things. It’s blanket prohibited and we permit certain activities to go on. In ‘commercial use,’ that covers a lot of things.”
And while, hypothetically, the owner of an inholding could legally fly and land a helicopter on their private parcel, the logistics of that being the sole means of transport are not feasible for an entire construction project.
The investigation is ongoing with no timeline.
Previously reported:
