COMMUNITY UPDATE: Addressing Overgrowth in the Colonies Basin

COMMUNITY UPDATE: Addressing Overgrowth in the Colonies Basin

Dear Residents,

I’ve been actively addressing concerns raised by many of you regarding the significant vegetation overgrowth in the Colonies Basin. After engaging with San Bernardino County Fire, County Flood Control, the City of Upland Weed Abatement team, and County Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, I’m committed to ensuring this issue is prioritized and resolved. What began as a local concern has evolved into a coordinated effort across multiple agencies, and I want to share the latest developments.

I’ve organized site visits with City staff, County Fire, and Code Enforcement to assess the situation and tackle immediate concerns. A recent walkthrough with County Fire’s Wildland Fuels Specialist, Jarrod Dowden, confirmed the severity of the overgrowth. However, the County’s current permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) restricts the amount of vegetation that can be cleared, posing a significant challenge to ensuring safety.

There’s promising news: a recent aerial survey and field assessment of Cucamonga Creek Basin 6, near Tanglewood, suggest that more acreage may be eligible for treatment than previously allowed. This could enable more extensive vegetation management. While funding for maintenance may present a future challenge, we’ll address that as we move forward.

I’m continuing to collaborate with county partners to finalize the eligible acreage and prioritize key areas for the next phase of approvals. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Supervisor Jesse Armendarez for joining me and HOA President Sara Lee last week to inspect the basin firsthand. He’s committed to working with County leadership to determine the most effective and responsible path forward.

This issue, which has been developing for nearly 20 years, involves complex permitting and regulatory processes across local, county, and state levels. While a solution will take time, rest assured that it’s now a priority for key decision-makers. Your patience and advocacy are greatly appreciated as we work to balance community safety with environmental considerations.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our community’s well-being.

Sincerely,

James Breitling

Upland City Council, District 2