REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 03, 2026
FROM
TERRY W. THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
BEAHTA DAVIS, Director, Regional Parks
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Use Permit with United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, for Non-Exclusive Use of Land in Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that approval of Amendment No. 3 to Use Permit No. 04-506 with the United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, for non-exclusive use of an area at Glen Helen Regional Park, is an exempt project under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1).
2. Approve Amendment No. 3 to Use Permit No. 04-506 with the United States Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey to:
a. Acknowledge and ratify the continued non-exclusive use of approximately 300 square feet of land at Glen Helen Regional Park, identified as Assessor’s Parcel Number 0348-161-01-0000, from July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2026.
b. Extend the term for five years, from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031, through the exercise of the first of two additional five-year options to extend, with one five-year option to extend remaining.
c. Continue Use Permit No. 04-506 at no fee.
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
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Improve County Government Operations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). There is no fee charged for Amendment No. 3 (Amendment) to Use Permit No. 04-506 (Use Permit) with the United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The seismic information provides a benefit to the surveying and engineering communities in the County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On January 12, 1999 (Item No. 15), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Use Permit No. 99-64 (Prior Use Permit) with USGS, for the five-year period of January 12, 1999 through January 11, 2004. On June 22, 2004 (Item No. 50), the Board approved the Use Permit, Agreement No. 04-506, for use of approximately 300 square feet of County-owned land in Glen Helen Regional Park, at no cost for the operation of an earthquake monitoring system, for the five-year period of July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2009, with two five-year options to extend. On June 16, 2009 (Item No. 38), the Board approved Amendment No. 1, extending the term through June 30, 2014. On June 24, 2014 (Item No. 78), the Board approved Amendment No. 2, extending the term through June 30, 2019, and granting USGS two additional five-year options to extend.
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Amendment No. |
Approval Date |
Item No. |
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1 |
June 16, 2009 |
38 |
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2 |
June 24, 2014 |
78 |
Following expiration of the approved term on June 30, 2019, USGS continued to access the Use Area at Glen Helen Regional Park and operate its seismic-monitoring equipment with the County’s knowledge and consent. The delay in renewing the Use Permit was due to USGS (Permittee) request for longer term agreement which explored various legal paths. Ultimately Counsel advised proceeding with remaining options available on the permit. This continued access prevented interruption in seismic monitoring. Amendment No. 3 will document the continued occupancy from July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2026, and pursuant to USGS’ exercise of an option to extend the term, extend the term for five years, from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031.
After discussions with USGS’s Earthquake Hazards Team regarding options available for extended terms, USGS agreed to exercise the first of two additional five-year options to extend the term to continue its operation and maintenance of a global positioning system (GPS) that measures ground shifts and related seismic events. The seismic monitoring equipment does not interfere with any of the uses, programs, or events at the Glen Helen Regional Park.
The project to approve the Amendment was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be categorically exempt under CEQA Section 15301 - Class 1 Existing Facilities because it involves the continued operation and maintenance of existing seismic-monitoring equipment with no expansion of the existing use. Accordingly, no further action is required under CEQA.
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Summary of Use Permit Terms |
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Permittee: |
United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey |
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Location: |
Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino (Assessor’s Parcel Number 0348-161-01-0000) |
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Size: |
300 square feet of land |
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Term: |
Five years from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031 |
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Options: |
One remaining option to extend for five years |
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Rent: |
No fee |
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Late Fees: |
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: |
Permittee maintains its equipment and the Use Area |
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Utilities: |
None |
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Insurance: |
Permittee is a self-insured public entity |
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Holdover: |
None |
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Right to Terminate: |
Either party may terminate this Use Permit at any time |
PROCUREMENT
California Government Code section 26227 authorizes the County to grant the use of real property to other public agencies for programs that serve a public purpose by meeting the public safety, welfare, and public service needs of the County and the general public.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 15, 2026; Regional Parks (Beahta Davis, Director, 387-2340) on September 17, 2026; Purchasing (Jessica Barajas, Supervising Buyer, 387-2065) on September 17, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Elias Duenas, 387-4052, and Eduardo Mora, 387-4376, Administrative Analysts) on October 16, 2026.
(CM: 840-266-0977)