UC ANR Desert REC Engagement Center Project Description
The University of California (University), Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) Desert Research and Extension Center (Desert REC) is proposing to redevelop the southeast corner of the Desert REC site with a new engagement center and site improvements. The Desert REC is a 255-acre facility located at 1004 Holton Road, west of the City of Holtville, Imperial County, California. The Engagement Center would support existing programming at the Desert REC. Overall, the Engagement Center would include approximately 6,975 square feet of building space, including a classroom, office, and storage areas, as well as bathrooms, an engagement space, and a demonstration kitchen. The Proposed Project will construct a new 600 square foot greenhouse, an outdoor space with an arrival plaza, an approximately 3,475 square foot covered plaza, and presentation gardens. The project will demolish a former residence and garage, remodel a former residence, and improve the central driveway to widen it and provide a bus pickup/drop off area and 15 new parking spaces.
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) & Public Comment Opportunity
Documents
UC ANR DESERT REC ENGAGMENT CENTER PROJECT IS/MND SCH #2025021134
Individual IS/MND Documents:
- Notice of Intent to Adopt IS/MND (PDF)
- Desert REC Engagement Center IS/MND (PDF)
- Appendix A - Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas, and Energy Technical Study UC ANR Desert Research and Extension Center Project (PDF)
- Appendix B - UC ANR Desert Research and Extension Center Project – Biological Resources Memorandum (PDF)
- Appendix C - Historical Resources Assessment (PDF)
- Appendix D - Geotechnical Report (PDF)
This project is within the CEQA comment period. UC Davis released the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the UC ANR Desert REC Engagement Center Project as stated in the Notice of Intent (NOI) for a 30-day public review period on February 24, 2025. Please provide comments by Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. However, please note that the State Agency review period ends Friday, March 28, 2025 at 5pm.
The IS/MND is also available for review at the following locations:
- UC ANR Headquarters: 2801 2nd St, Davis, CA 95618
- UC ANR Desert REC: 1004 Holton Road, Holtville, CA 92250
- Imperial County Library: 101 E. 6th Street, Holtville, CA 92250
CEQA EIR Process Timeline
- Distribute Notice of Intent – February 24, 2025
- Public Review of IS/MND –February 24, 2025 to March 26, 2025
- State Agency Review of IS/MND - February 24, 2025 to March 28th, 2025
- University Review & Decision – Tentative UC ANR Approval in April 2025