Key Issues Facing Our Community 

Objective Insights on Growth, Environment, and Community Well-Being in Riverside County

The Inland Empire is one of the fastest-growing regions in California. As Riverside, Perris, Moreno Valley, and surrounding communities expand, CAREE tracks and educates the public on critical issues shaping our regional economy, public health, and overall quality of life.

Issue 1: Sustainable Economic Growth & Logistics

• The Challenge: Our region has rapidly become a major hub for global supply chains and logistics facilities. While industrial development brings new investment, an over-reliance on massive logistics centers leads to land-use conflicts, lower-wage warehousing trends, and heavy infrastructure strain.

• CAREE’s Focus: We advocate for economic diversification, high-quality local jobs, and strict smart-planning standards. Growth should build long-term regional prosperity without transforming our residential neighborhoods into industrial transit corridors.

Issue 3: March Air Reserve Base & Commercial Flight Expansion

• The Challenge: Proposals overseen by the March Joint Powers Authority (JPA) seek to expand commercial freight and air cargo operations using the airfield at March Air Reserve Base.

• Supporting Our Military, Protecting Neighborhoods: CAREE proudly supports March Air Reserve Base and the men and women serving our country. However, transforming our local airspace into a regional commercial cargo hub creates severe community disruptions:

  • Noise & Air Pollution: High-frequency, heavy cargo flights—frequently running during late-night hours—bring elevated jet exhaust emissions and disruptive noise over nearby homes, schools, and parks.

  • Freight Traffic on Local Roads: Air cargo inevitably transitions to ground transportation, adding thousands of heavy-duty diesel truck trips to the I-215, Highway 60, and surrounding local streets.

  • Community Health: Added diesel fumes and aviation emissions exacerbate existing health and respiratory challenges across Riverside, Perris, and Moreno Valley.

• CAREE’s Focus: We call on the March JPA and municipal leadership to protect the primary military mission of March ARB while preventing commercial logistics operations from compromising local health, safety, and tranquility.

Issue 4: Balanced Land Use & Quality of Life

• The Challenge: Rapid rezoning often places heavy industrial operations directly adjacent to neighborhoods, parks, and schools. This leads to traffic congestion, severe roadway wear, light pollution, and lost green space.

• CAREE’s Focus: We track municipal General Plans and environmental reviews (CEQA) across Riverside County to advocate for protective buffer zones, traffic management strategies, and the preservation of community parks and open spaces.