REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 4, 2025
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director of Public Works - Special Districts
TERRY W. THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to License Agreement with EarthScope Consortium, Inc., for Geological Monitoring in the Lucerne Valley Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of County Service Area 29 - Lucerne Valley:
1. Find that approval of Amendment No. 1 to License Agreement No. 21-138 with EarthScope Consortium, Inc., for use of 625 square feet of land, is an exempt project under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1).
2. Approve Amendment No. 1 to License Agreement No. 21-138 with EarthScope Consortium, Inc., to approve the assignment to EarthScope Consortium, Inc., for non-exclusive use of 625 square feet of County Service Area 29 land, located on the north side of Verde Road (Assessor’s Parcel Number 0449-271-04-0000) in Lucerne Valley, for the operation and maintenance of geological monitoring equipment, extend the term for five years by exercising a five-year option to extend, for the period of March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2031, for no fee, and adding the Levine Act Campaign Contribution disclosure requirement to the agreement.
3. Direct the Real Estate Services Department to file the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Terry W. Thompson, Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). There is no revenue or cost to the County associated with Amendment No. 1. (Amendment) to License Agreement No. 21-138 (License). Expenses associated with notice of exemption and CEQA fees will be associated with County Service Area 29 - Lucerne Valley (2450001318).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended action will amend the existing License through the use of an available option to extend the term with EarthScope Consortium, Inc., (EarthScope Consortium) as assignee, from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2031, for the use of 625 square feet of land at the north side of Verde Road [Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 0449-271-04-0000] in County Service Area 29 in Lucerne Valley (Property), for the operation of geological monitoring equipment. In consideration of rent, the Licensee provides valuable geological data available to the public, which supports research and understanding of the processes controlling volcanoes and earthquakes, which is why there is no fee for the License term.
On February 9, 2021 (Item No. 66), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the no fee License for the use of the Property and in exchange the Licensee provides valuable data for United States Department of the Interior and Geological Survey (USGS). The original term of the License was for a period from March 1, 2021, through February 28, 2026.
Approval of this Amendment is recommended to approve the assignment from UNAVCO, Inc. to EarthScope Consortium, extend the term of the License through the use of an available five-year option, extending the term for the period of March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2031. Extending the term of the License will allow for EarthScope Consortium to continue to provide valuable geological data for public use. All other terms and conditions of the License remain the same.
The project to approve the Amendment was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be categorically exempt under Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1).
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Summary of License Terms |
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Licensee: |
EarthScope Consortium, Inc., (formerly UNAVCO, Inc.) |
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James Downing, Esq., Senior Contracts and Permitting Manager |
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Location: |
North side of Verde Road (APN 0449-271-04-0000) in Lucerne Valley |
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Size: |
Approximately 625 square feet |
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Term: |
March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2031 |
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Options: |
Two remaining five-year options |
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Rent: |
None |
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Annual Increases: |
None |
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Improvement Costs: |
None |
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Custodial: |
None |
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Maintenance: |
None |
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Utilities: |
None |
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Insurance: |
The Certificate of Liability Insurance, as required by the License, is on file with the Real Estate Services Department |
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Holdover: |
Upon the end of the term, if permitted by Lessor the License shall continue on a month-to-month term upon the same terms and conditions which existed at the time of expiration; the fee payable during such period of holding over shall be $1,000 per month |
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Right to Terminate: |
90 days written notice |
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Parking: |
None |
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, and Aaron Gest, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 23, 2025; Special Districts (Henry Mac, Division Manager, 389-8822, and Frank Haggard, Regional Manager, 760-366-8415) on October 2, 2025; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on October 2, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Amanda Trussell, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4773, and Eduardo Mora, Administrative Analyst, 387-4376) on October 17, 2025
(CM: 840-266-0977)