In 2006, the city of Banning approved a development project on the stretch of land that is known as Black Bench. The property spanned 1500 acres directly north of the resort property, and the plan called for 1500 homes to be built on the portion of the land suitable for construction. The impact on the resort would have been devastating. The natural habitats of hundreds of wildlife species would have been destroyed, and our natural water supply would have been ruined by the runoff from 1500 lawns. Forming a coalition with neighborhood and environmental protection groups, Highland Springs Resort fought against the developer's plans, and as a result was able to take ownership of the whole 1500 acres to preserve its pristine organic state.
