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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ana Gonzalez, CCAEJ Executive Director, (909)275-9812 ana.g@ccaej.org
Joaquin Castillejos, CCAEJ Organizing Coordinator and Bloomington Lead, (909)434-4619 joaquin.c@ccaej.org
San Bernardino County Judge Halts Displacement Project in Bloomington, Rules in Favor of Community and Environment
Bloomington, CA – September 24, 2024 – In a landmark ruling by San Bernardino County Judge Donald Alvarez, the controversial Bloomington Business Park Specific Plan has been ordered to halt, providing a significant victory for the Bloomington community and environmental justice organizations who supported and organized alongside them including the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice. The court's decision mandates the county to re-evaluate the environmental impacts of the project, which proposed the displacement of 117 homes and the construction of 213 acres of warehouses.
Judge Alvarez's judgment pinpointed multiple violations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by the County, finding that the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) failed to:
Analyze a reasonable range of alternatives to the project,
Adequately mitigate air quality impacts,
Support its findings on greenhouse gas emissions with substantial evidence,
Consider renewable energy options,
Support its cumulative energy impact findings,
Adequately analyze construction noise impacts.
The ruling requires the county to set aside all EIR and project approvals. Both the county and the developers are prohibited from moving forward with any construction activities related to the project until full compliance with CEQA is achieved.
This project, which also included plans for selling Zimmerman Elementary School—a school serving a predominantly monolingual Spanish-speaking population—had faced strong opposition from the local community. The community expressed concerns that the project would eradicate their rural culture by replacing residential areas with industrial facilities.
"We at CCAEJ are happy, relieved, and inspired by the court's decision," said Ana Gonzalez, Executive Director at CCAEJ. "This ruling not only underscores the legal oversights of the county and developers but also validates the community's relentless advocacy against this destructive plan. Our fight continues, and this victory fuels our commitment to protecting our neighborhoods and ensuring a healthy environment for all residents. We thank our attorneys at EarthJustice for their incredible work and resilience."
“Understanding how our recent legislation [SB98] could have had an influence on the development of a new warehouse in the region, this ruling shows that we still have a fighting chance as a community to ensure that our families can breathe clean air.” expressed Marla Matime, CCAEJ board chair. “I’m happy to know that we have folks in decision making positions that lead with excellence and discernment from the community members that they serve.”
"This decision marks a major victory for Bloomington and for environmental justice advocates throughout the Inland Valley. The battle against the unchecked expansion of the logistics industry has been long and challenging, but this win is a powerful reminder that when our community stands united, we can prevail. As someone who grew up in Bloomington, I’m filled with hope for what the future holds, and I’m eager to continue organizing with my community to shape that future together." Joaquin Castillejos, Organizing Coordinator and Bloomington resident.
The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice remains dedicated to its mission of uniting communities to develop solutions that foster social and environmental justice. This ruling marks a critical step forward in preserving Bloomington's community fabric and environmental health.
About CCAEJ
The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) is a progressive equity-based organization dedicated to bringing people together to improve their social and natural environments. Located in Jurupa Valley, CCAEJ champions regenerative change by nurturing resilient BIPOC intergenerational leadership and cultivating inclusive, self-sustaining communities.
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