(3) 2035 LQ General Plan - Chapter III (11.19.13)
Chapter
III
NATURAL
RESOURCES
AIR
QUALITY
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
WATER
RESOURCES
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐1
AIR
QUALITY
PURPOSE
The
Air
Quality
Element
describes
the
physical
causes
of
air
pollution
in
the
region
and
provides
policies
and
programs
that
will
enable
the
City
to
improve
its
air
quality.
Goals,
policies,
and
programs
set
forth
in
this
element
are
intended
to
avoid,
reduce,
or
limit
impacts
to
air
quality
resulting
from
build
out
of
the
General
Plan.
Poor
air
quality
poses
a
human
health
threat,
reduces
visibility
in
the
Valley,
affects
the
views
of
the
surrounding
desert
and
mountains,
and
interferes
with
the
livability
of
La
Quinta
for
residents
and
visitors.
The
Air
Quality
Element
is
not
a
stand-‐alone
element,
but
part
of
an
interrelated
group
of
elements
within
the
General
Plan
that
all
strive
to
preserve
and
enhance
the
quality
of
life
in
La
Quinta.
To
that
end,
the
City
has
prepared
a
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
which
will
help
new
and
existing
development
reduce
greenhouse
gas
emissions.
The
Air
Quality
Element
is
directly
related
to
the
Land
Use
Element,
Traffic
&
Circulation
Element,
and
Open
Space
Element.
The
Land
Use
and
Circulation
Elements
have
the
greatest
effect
on
the
Air
Quality
Element
because
they
have
the
most
direct
relationship
to
vehicle
trips
–
the
largest
source
of
air
pollution
in
the
City.
BACKGROUND
The
Coachella
Valley,
including
the
City
of
La
Quinta,
is
located
within
the
Salton
Sea
Air
Basin
(SSAB)
and
is
within
the
jurisdiction
of
the
South
Coast
Air
Quality
Management
District
(SCAQMD).
The
SSAB
shares
boundaries
with
the
San
Diego
Air
Basin
to
the
west,
the
South
Coast
Air
Basin
to
the
northwest,
and
the
Mojave
Desert
Air
Basin
to
the
north.
Air
quality
in
the
City
is
a
result
of
local,
regional
and
area-‐wide
conditions.
Air
quality
has
deteriorated
in
the
Coachella
Valley
over
the
last
few
decades
due
to
local
growth,
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐2
development,
industry
and
construction
activities,
as
well
as
sources
outside
of
the
Valley,
particularly
from
the
South
Coast
Air
Basin
located
west
of
the
region.
Regulatory
Environment
Ambient
air
quality
standards
have
been
established
by
both
federal
and
state
(California)
governments
to
monitor
and
regulate
air
pollutants
and
protect
people
and
the
environment
from
the
effects
of
poor
air
quality.
At
the
regional
level,
management
districts
measure
and
monitor
air
pollution
and
develop
strategies
for
reducing
air
pollution.
Local
governments,
through
ordinances,
programs,
and
policies,
can
help
reduce
impacts
to
air
quality.
A
comparative
summary
of
the
regulatory
environment
is
shown
in
Table
III-‐1.
Table
III-‐1
Authorizing
Legislation
&
Implementing
Agencies
for
Air
Quality
Government
Legislation
Implementing
Agencies
Federal
Clean
Air
Act
US
Environmental
Protection
Agency
(USEPA)
State
California
Clean
Air
Act
California
Air
Resources
Board
(CARB)
Regional
Air
Toxics
“Hot
Spots”
Information
Assessment
Act
South
Coast
Air
Quality
Management
District
(SCAQMD)
Local
Local
Ordinances
and
Air
Quality
Elements
in
General
Plans
Local
Governments
Source:
Guidance
Document
for
Addressing
Air
Quality
Issues
in
General
Plans
and
Local
Planning,
SCAQMD,
May
6,
2005
Federal
Regulation1
At
the
federal
level,
the
U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency
(EPA)
is
charged
with
reducing
emissions
from
federally
controlled
sources
such
as
commercial
aircraft,
trains,
and
marine
vessels,
and
has
also
created
automobile
emission
standards
for
forty-‐nine
states.
The
EPA
has
been
able
to
enforce
emission
standards
through
the
passage
of
1
“2007
Air
Quality
Management
Plan,”
South
Coast
Air
Quality
Management
District,
June
1,
2007.
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐3
the
1963
Clean
Air
Act
(CAA).
More
recently,
the
EPA
has
become
responsible
for
regulating
greenhouse
gas
emissions.
The
EPA
is
responsible
for
setting
the
National
Ambient
Air
Quality
Standards
(NAAQS)
for
criteria
pollutants.
The
NAAQS
has
established
primary
and
secondary
standards
for
six
criteria
air
pollutants
used
to
protect
the
health
and
welfare
of
citizens
and
the
economy.
Primary
standards
are
designed
to
protect
sensitive
sectors
of
the
population
such
as
children
and
the
elderly.
Secondary
standards
were
established
to
protect
economic
entities,
such
as
crops,
buildings,
and
visibility.
State
Regulation
The
State
of
California
has
created
air
quality
regulation
through
the
California
Clean
Air
Act
(CCAA),
which
became
effective
on
January
1,
1989.
The
CCAA
establishes
ambient
air
quality
standards
similar
to
NAAQS,
and
sets
forth
deadlines
for
air
management
districts
which
are
not
attaining
the
standards
to
reach
attainment
status.
The
CCAA
also
established
the
California
Air
Resources
Board
(CARB)
to
oversee
regional
air
pollution
and
develop
State
ambient
air
quality
standards,
which
are
generally
more
stringent
than
federal
standards.
CARB
advises
and
evaluates
the
efforts
of
local
and
regional
air
pollution
control
agencies
and
districts.
Districts
that
are
in
noncompliance
with
federal
and
state
standards
are
encouraged
to
prepare
State
Implementation
Plans
(SIP)
to
help
meet
the
federal
and
state
ambient
air
quality
standards.
The
passage
of
the
California
Global
Warming
Solutions
Act
(AB
32)
in
2006
made
CARB
the
responsible
state
agency
for
monitoring
and
reducing
greenhouse
gas
(GHG)
emissions
at
the
state
level,
by
establishing
an
annual
reporting
program
of
emissions
for
significant
sources.
It
also
set
limits
to
cut
the
state’s
GHG
emissions
to
1990
levels
by
2020.
Finally,
the
Governor’s
Executive
Order
S-‐3-‐05,
enacted
on
June
1,
2005,
takes
California’s
commitment
to
GHG
reductions
one
step
further.
It
resolves
to
achieve
statewide
emission
reductions
that
are
80%
below
1990
levels
by
2050.
Regional
Regulation
The
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
are
regulated
on
a
regional
level
by
the
South
Coast
Air
Quality
Management
District
(SCAQMD).
SCAQMD
has
jurisdiction
over
approximately
10,743
square
miles
throughout
Southern
California
and
regulates
air
quality
standards
for
three
different
air
basins,
including
the
South
Coast
Air
Basin,
Mojave
Desert
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐4
Air
Basin,
and
Salton
Sea
Air
Basin.
The
City
of
La
Quinta
and
surrounding
Coachella
Valley
region
are
located
within
the
Salton
Sea
Air
Basin
(SSAB).
The
Salton
Sea
Air
Basin
is
generally
bounded
on
the
west
by
the
San
Jacinto
Mountains
and
on
the
east
by
the
eastern
edge
of
the
Coachella
Valley.
The
SCAQMD
is
responsible
for
the
overall
development
and
implementation
of
the
Air
Quality
Management
Plan
(AQMP).
The
AQMP
is
a
comprehensive
plan
that
complies
with
state
and
federal
requirements
for
ensuring
air
quality
improvement.
The
latest
plan,
approved
in
2007,
builds
upon
previous
plans
and
provides
comprehensive
strategies
to
control
pollution
from
mobile
sources,
stationary
sources
and
area
sources.
It
also
proposes
policies
and
measures
to
achieve
federal
standards
for
healthful
air
quality
throughout
the
District.
The
Salton
Sea
Air
Basin
has
been
in
non-‐compliance
with
federal
standards
for
ozone,
and
has
been
classified
as
a
“serious”
ozone
non-‐
attainment
area.
The
region
has
also
historically
been
designated
as
a
serious
non-‐attainment
area
for
particulate
matter
of
10
microns
or
less,
known
as
PM10.
Blown
sand
is
the
primary
source
of
PM10
in
the
City
and
the
Valley.
In
2002,
the
Coachella
Valley
State
Implementation
Plan
(CVSIP)
was
prepared
and
implemented
by
all
Valley
cities
to
reduce
the
amount
of
blown
sand
and
dust
in
the
Valley.
Since
the
approval
of
the
2003
CVSIP
by
the
EPA,
the
Coachella
Valley
has
successfully
reduced
the
amount
of
PM10
in
the
air
and
meets
current
South
Coast
Air
Quality
Management
District
Jurisdiction
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐5
federal
standards.
However,
the
Environmental
Protection
Agency
has
not
yet
re-‐designated
the
PM10
classification
for
the
Coachella
Valley.
Regionally,
the
Coachella
Valley
Association
of
Governments
(CVAG)
coordinates
the
management
of
PM10
for
all
Coachella
Valley
cities.
It
developed
a
model
management
plan
which
has
been
implemented
throughout
the
area.
As
a
member
of
CVAG,
the
City
of
La
Quinta
is
involved
in
the
regional
management
of
air
quality.
Local
Regulation
This
Element
provides
the
City
of
La
Quinta
with
goals,
policies,
and
programs
to
implement
improvements
to
its
air
quality.
The
City
is
also
meeting
the
requirements
of
AB32
by
preparing
a
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan,
which
establishes
its
current
emissions
and
sets
targets
for
long-‐term
reductions.
Community-‐wide
activities
in
the
City
generated
an
estimated
1,228,050
metric
tons
of
carbon
dioxide
equivalence
in
2005.
Reduction
targets
in
the
Plan
strive
to
achieve
10%
below
2005
levels
by
2020.
To
reach
those
targets,
the
Plan
includes
a
wide
range
of
implementation
tools
which
can
be
implemented
by
City
officials,
residents
and
business
owners.
Regulated
Pollutants
Regulated
pollutants
fall
under
three
categories,
including
criteria
air
pollutants,
toxic
air
contaminants
(TAC),
and
greenhouse
and
ozone
depleting
gases.
Each
type
of
pollutant
is
measured
and
regulated
differently.
Criteria
air
pollutants
are
measured
by
sampling
concentrations
in
the
ambient
air,
whereas
toxic
air
contaminants
are
measured
at
the
source
and
in
the
atmosphere.
Greenhouse
and
ozone
depleting
gases
do
not
have
established
thresholds,
but
are
subject
to
federal
and
regional
policies
for
reduction.2
AB32,
for
example,
establishes
standards
for
targeted
greenhouse
gas
reduction
goals.
Criteria
Pollutants
Criteria
pollutants
are
air
pollutants
for
which
federal
and
state
air
quality
standards
exist.
Federal
and
state
ambient
air
quality
standards
exist
for
lead,
sulfur
dioxide,
carbon
monoxide,
nitrogen
dioxide,
ozone,
and
suspended
particulate
matter.
The
California
Air
Resource
Board
also
has
standards
for
hydrogen
sulfide,
sulfates,
vinyl
chloride,
and
visibility-‐reducing
particles.
Table
III-‐2,
below,
provides
a
summary
of
primary
sources
and
effects
of
the
NAAQS
Criteria
Pollutants.
2
Guidance
Document
for
Addressing
Air
Quality
Issues
in
General
Plans
and
Local
Planning,
SCAQMD,
May
6,
2005.
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐6
Table
III-‐2
Primary
Sources
and
Effects
of
Criteria
Pollutants
Pollutant
Source
Primary
Health
and
Welfare
Effects
Lead
(Pb)
Contaminated
Soil,
production
of
batteries,
ink,
ammunition
Behavioral
and
hearing
disabilities
in
children;
anemia;
kidney
disease;
neuromuscular
disorders.
Sulfur
Dioxide
(SO2)
Combustion
of
sulfur
containing
fossil
fuels
such
as
coal,
petroleum;
chemical
manufacturing
plants
Aggravation
of
respiratory
diseases
(asthma,
emphysema;
reduced
lung
function)
Carbon
Monoxide
(CO)
Incomplete
combustion
of
motor
exhaust;
decomposition
of
organic
matter
Heart
disease;
anemia;
impaired
mental
function;
impaired
fetal
development
Nitrogen
Dioxide
(NO2)
Motor
vehicle
exhaust;
high
temperature
stationary
combustion;
atmospheric
reactions
Respiratory
illness;
aggravation
of
heart
disease
Ozone
Atmospheric
reaction
of
organic
gases
with
nitrogen
oxides
and
VOC’s
in
sunlight
Aggravation
of
respiratory
and
cardiovascular
diseases;
reduced
lung
function;
asthma;
emphysema;
increased
sensitivity
to
infections
Particulate
Matter
(PM10
&
PM2.5)
Stationary
combustion
of
fossil
fuels;
construction
activities;
Reduced
lung
function;
aggravation
of
cardio-‐
respiratory
diseases
Source:
Guidance
Document
for
Addressing
Air
Quality
Issues
in
General
Plans
and
Local
Planning,
SCAQMD,
May
6,
2005.
Toxic
Air
Contaminants
Toxic
Air
Contaminants
(TACs)
are
considered
“non-‐criteria”
air
contaminants
because
no
ambient
air
quality
standards
exist
for
them.
There
are
numerous
TACs
emitted
into
the
air,
and
exposure
to
them
is
linked
to
cancer,
birth
defects,
genetic
damage
and
other
adverse
health
conditions.
Short-‐term
exposure
is
known
to
cause
acute
health
effects
such
as
nausea,
skin
irritation,
and
respiratory
illness.
Greenhouse
Gases
Greenhouse
gases,
such
as
carbon
dioxide,
methane,
nitrous
oxide,
halons,
chlorofluorocarbons,
and
hydro-‐chlorofluorocarbons,
are
released
into
the
atmosphere
by
both
natural
processes
and
human
activities.
These
gases
are
termed
“greenhouse
gases”
because
they
trap
heat
and
are
responsible
for
the
global
increase
in
surface
temperature
observed
over
the
last
decade.
There
is
much
debate
over
what
the
effects
of
climate
change
will
be,
but
there
is
a
general
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐7
consensus
that
emissions
levels
need
to
be
reduced
in
order
to
minimize
air
pollution
and
limit
the
amount
of
carbon
dioxide
and
other
pollutants
that
are
emitted.
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
La
Quinta
is
committed
to
reducing
greenhouse
gas
emissions,
and
has
prepared
a
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
as
a
first
step
towards
achieving
this
goal.
The
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
includes
a
comprehensive
inventory
of
greenhouse
gas
emissions
generated
City-‐
wide,
including
those
generated
by
local
government
activities.
Future
emissions
of
greenhouse
gases
are
projected,
reduction
targets
set,
and
policies
and
programs
are
proposed
as
part
of
the
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan.
The
Plan
is
a
toolbox
the
City
will
use
to
meet
mandated
reductions.
To
be
consistent
with
AB
32
and
executive
order
S-‐3-‐05,
the
reduction
target
is
to
achieve
1990
level
emissions
by
2020,
and
80%
below
1990
levels
by
2050.
While
more
stringent
requirements
for
building
standards
and
vehicle
fuel
efficiency
are
being
enacted
on
a
statewide
level,
such
as
through
updates
to
the
California
Building
Code
(Title
24),
and
SB
375,
the
City
will
comply
with
statewide
efforts
and
act
locally
to
monitor,
evaluate,
and
amend
local
policies
and
programs
in
order
to
achieve
mandated
emission
reductions.
Ambient
Air
Quality
Standards
Federal
and
state
air
quality
standards
established
for
criteria
pollutants
are
designed
to
protect
that
segment
of
the
population
that
is
most
susceptible
to
respiratory
distress
or
infection,
including
the
elderly,
children,
asthmatics,
or
those
who
are
weak
from
disease
or
illness.
State
standards
are
generally
more
restrictive
than
federal
standards,
particularly
with
regard
to
carbon
monoxide
and
particulate
matter.
The
General
Plan
EIR
describes
the
federal
and
state
standards
in
place
at
the
time
this
General
Plan
is
adopted.
The
SCAQMD
operates
and
maintains
two
regional
air
quality
monitoring
stations
in
the
Coachella
Valley,
including
one
at
a
Palm
Springs
Fire
Station
and
one
in
the
City
of
Indio,
off
Jackson
Street.
These
monitoring
stations
determine
whether
existing
ambient
air
quality
complies
with
current
standards.
The
nearest
monitoring
station
to
La
Quinta,
in
Indio,
monitors
contaminant
levels
and
meteorological
conditions
on
a
daily
basis.
Ozone
and
particulate
matter
are
the
primary
pollutants
of
concern
in
La
Quinta
and
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐8
represent
the
greatest
threats
to
air
quality
and
human
health
in
the
Coachella
Valley.
The
region
is
experiencing
a
decreasing
trend
in
the
number
of
days
that
exceed
ozone
and
PM10
levels.
Sensitive
Receptors
Sensitive
receptors
are
people
or
land
uses
that
may
be
especially
subject
to
respiratory
stress
and/or
significant
adverse
impacts
as
a
result
of
exposure
to
air
contaminants.
The
CARB
designates
people
with
cardiovascular
and
chronic
respiratory
diseases,
children
under
14,
seniors
over
65,
and
athletes
as
sensitive
receptors.
The
City’s
appeal
as
a
retirement
destination
and
resort
community
implies
that
a
major
portion
of
its
residents
and
visitors
are
potentially
susceptible
to
respiratory
distress
from
elevated
concentrations
of
air
quality
pollutants.
Accordingly,
hospitals,
nursing
and
retirement
homes,
schools,
daycares,
playgrounds,
parks,
athletic
facilities,
residential
structures,
and
hotels
are
all
considered
sensitive
land
uses.
Climatic
Conditions
in
the
Coachella
Valley
The
City
of
La
Quinta,
the
City’s
Sphere
of
Influence,
and
the
surrounding
region
are
located
in
a
hot,
arid
desert
climate.
The
surrounding
mountains
block
coastal
influences,
creating
an
area
of
low
rainfall.
The
Valley
floor
typically
receives
an
average
of
four
inches
of
rain
per
year.
Temperatures
frequently
exceed
100º
F
during
the
summer
and
can
occasionally
fall
below
freezing
during
the
winter.
The
prevailing
wind
patterns
during
spring
and
summer
blow
west
to
east
and
are
caused
by
a
desert
thermal
low-‐pressure
area
drawing
cooler,
denser
coastal
air
through
the
San
Gorgonio
Pass.
During
fall
and
winter
months,
climatic
conditions
change
as
strong
dry
northeasterly
Santa
Ana
winds
blow
air
toward
the
coast.
These
strong
wind
events
suspend
and
transport
large
quantities
of
particulate
matter,
including
sand
and
dust,
which
can
reduce
visibility,
damage
property
and
pose
a
significant
health
threat.
The
prevailing
wind
patterns
also
draw
in
air
pollution
generated
in
the
South
Coast
Air
Basin
west
of
the
Coachella
Valley.
Regional
Pollutants
of
Concern
Compared
to
air
basins
west
of
the
Coachella
Valley,
the
City
of
La
Quinta
has
good
air
quality.
High
levels
of
ozone
and
particulate
matter,
which
are
described
below,
are
the
primary
pollutants
of
concern
in
La
Quinta
and
represent
the
greatest
threat
to
air
quality
and
human
health
in
the
Coachella
Valley.
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐9
Ozone
(O3)
Ozone
is
a
pungent,
colorless,
toxic
gas
formed
when
byproducts
of
internal
combustion
engines
react
in
the
presence
of
ultraviolet
sunlight.
Ozone
is
emitted
daily
from
the
operation
of
automobiles.
The
Coachella
Valley
has
a
history
of
occasionally
exceeding
state
and
federal
ozone
standards;
however,
trends
do
show
a
slight
decrease
in
the
concentration
over
the
past
decade.
The
Coachella
Valley
is
classified
as
a
“serious”
ozone
non-‐attainment
area
under
the
Federal
Clean
Air
Act.
Under
current
regulatory
plans,
the
area
must
demonstrate
attainment
of
the
federal
ozone
air
quality
standard
by
June
15,
2013.3
Local
monitoring
for
ozone
indicates
that
federal
ozone
exceedances
in
the
Coachella
Valley
are
largely
the
result
of
pollutant
transport
from
the
South
Coast
Air
Basin,
through
the
Banning
Pass.
Improving
ozone
levels
in
the
Coachella
Valley
will
be
partly
dependent
upon
reduced
ozone
emissions
in
the
South
Coast
Air
Basin.
Simulations
of
ozone
episodes,
prepared
by
SCAQMD,
show
that
the
federal
8-‐hour
standard
will
be
attained
in
the
Coachella
Valley
by
2018.4
This
8-‐hour
standard
is
currently
the
only
federal
standard
for
ozone.
PM10
Emissions
Particulate
matter
less
than
10
microns
in
diameter
(PM10)
includes
suspended
particles
of
dust,
sand,
metallic
and
mineral
substances,
road-‐surfacing
materials,
pollen,
smoke,
fumes
and
aerosols.
Natural
erosion
and
sand
migration
caused
by
strong
winds
in
the
Coachella
Valley
generate
most
PM10
in
the
La
Quinta
area.
Grading
and
other
activities
associated
with
construction
are
also
significant
contributors
to
dust
generation.
Windborne
particles
may
be
further
pulverized
by
motor
vehicles
on
roadways,
where
they
are
re-‐suspended
in
the
air.
PM10
particles
can
pass
through
the
filtering
system
of
the
lungs
and
directly
irritate
lung
tissues,
potentially
resulting
in
serious
health
problems.
Although
the
Coachella
Valley
has
a
history
of
elevated
PM10
levels,
local
government
agencies,
private
and
public
stakeholders,
and
SCAQMD
have
developed
State
Implementation
Plans,
rules,
and
local
dust
control
ordinances
to
bring
the
Coachella
Valley
into
attainment.
The
Coachella
Valley
State
Implementation
Plan
was
adopted
and
approved
by
the
EPA
on
April
18,
2003
and
includes
control
measures
3
As
described
in
the
2007
Air
Quality
Management
Plan,
prepared
by
SCAQMD
on
June
1,
2007,
p.8-‐1,
this
will
be
accomplished
using
a
photochemical
grid
model.
4
2007
Air
Quality
Management
Plan,
SCAQMD,
June
1,
2007,
p.8-‐10
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐10
to
reduce
PM10.5
These
measures
have
been
effective
in
reducing
the
concentration
of
PM10
throughout
the
Coachella
Valley.
Although
the
valley
currently
meets
attainment
standards,
the
EPA
has
not
yet
re-‐
designated
the
PM10
classification
for
the
Coachella
Valley.
Pollutant
Control
Measures
Implemented
by
La
Quinta
In
2003,
to
reduce
the
impacts
of
local
fugitive
dust
and
PM10
emissions,
the
City
of
La
Quinta
adopted
Fugitive
Dust
(PM10)
Control
Ordinance
No.
391
(Chapter
6.16
of
the
La
Quinta
City
Municipal
Code).
The
ordinance
establishes
minimum
dust
control
requirements
for
construction
and
demolition
activities
and
other
land
uses.
Dust
control
measures
set
forth
in
the
ordinance
include
the
preparation
and
approval
of
a
Fugitive
Dust
Control
Plan;
reductions
in
vehicular
speeds
on
unpaved
roads
and
at
construction
sites;
the
application
of
chemical
and/or
vegetative
dust
suppressants
and
stabilizers;
and
paving
of
parking
lots
and
roadways.
The
City
will
not
issue
a
grading
or
demolition
permit
without
an
approved
Fugitive
Dust
Control
Plan.
The
City
has
the
authority
to
monitor
and
inspect
grading
and
demolition
activities
to
ensure
that
the
measures
identified
in
each
fugitive
dust
mitigation
plan
are
properly
implemented.6
The
City
also
participates
in
regional
air
pollution
reduction
measures
established
and
maintained
through
the
Coachella
Valley
Association
of
Governments.
PLANNING
FOR
THE
FUTURE
The
City
of
La
Quinta
will
continue
to
act
locally
to
meet
existing
and
future
state
and
federal
air
quality
regulations.
La
Quinta
is
exploring
alternative
energy
options,
such
as
wind
turbines,
geothermal
systems,
and
solar
energy,
electric
and
alternative
fuel
vehicles,
and
green
building
technology,
as
viable
options
for
enhancing
air
quality
by
reducing
greenhouse
gas
emissions
and
other
air
pollutants.
A
major
effort
of
this
undertaking
is
the
implementation
of
the
La
Quinta
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan.
5
2003
Coachella
Valley
PM10
State
Implementation
Plan,
SCAQMD,
August
1,
2003
6 Ordinance 391, City of La Quinta, December 2, 2003
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐11
GOALS,
POLICIES
AND
PROGRAMS
GOAL
AQ-‐1
A
reduction
in
all
air
emissions
generated
within
the
City.
Policy
AQ-‐1.1
Coordinate
with
the
South
Coast
Air
Quality
Management
District
to
assure
compliance
with
air
quality
standards.
Program
AQ-‐1.1.a:
Participate
in
monitoring,
managing,
and
enforcing
SCAQMD
rules
for
criteria
pollutants,
TACs,
GHGs
and
all
other
regional
air
pollutants
of
concern.
Policy
AQ-‐1.2
Work
to
reduce
emissions
from
residential
and
commercial
energy
use
by
encouraging
decreased
consumption
and
increased
efficiency.
Program
AQ-‐1.2.a:
Work
directly
with
the
major
utility
providers,
including
The
Gas
Company,
Imperial
Irrigation
District
and
the
Coachella
Valley
Water
District
to
develop
incentives
and
rebates
to
encourage
energy
savings,
subject
to
funding
availability.
Program
AQ-‐1.2.b:
Encourage
Imperial
Irrigation
District
to
diversify
and
expand
the
use
of
alternative
energy
sources.
Policy
AQ-‐1.3
Work
to
reduce
emissions
from
mobile
sources
by
encouraging
a
decrease
in
the
number
of
vehicle
trips
and
vehicle
miles
traveled.
Program
AQ-‐1.3.a:
Work
with
Sunline
Transit
Agency
to
expand
public
transportation
routes.
Program
AQ-‐1.3.b:
Encourage
public
and
private
schools
to
establish
alternative
transportation
programs
for
students.
Program
AQ-‐1.3.c:
Adopt
and
implement
a
Transportation
Demand
Management
Ordinance
for
businesses
with
50
or
more
employees.
Program
AQ-‐1.3.d:
Expand
routes
for
golf
carts
and
other
neighborhood
electric
vehicles
and
plan
for
access
and
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐12
recharging
facilities
at
retail,
recreational,
and
community
centers.
Program
AQ-‐1.3.e:
Expand
pedestrian
and
bicycle
routes
and
provide
safe
and
convenient
access
to
retail,
recreational,
and
community
centers.
Program
AQ-‐1.3.f:
Facilitate
mixed
use
development
concepts
in
specific
identified
areas
of
the
community
to
allow
the
combination
of
residential
and
non-‐residential
uses,
such
as
live-‐
work-‐shop
designs,
as
described
in
the
Land
Use
Element.
Program
AQ-‐1.3.g:
Where
permitted
by
the
Land
Use
plan,
and
where
appropriate,
encourage
high
density
residential
development
within
walking
distance
to
commercial,
educational
and
recreational
opportunities.
Policy
AQ-‐1.4
Protect
people
and
sites
that
are
especially
sensitive
to
airborne
pollutants
(sensitive
receptors)
from
polluting
point
sources.
Program
AQ-‐1.4.a:
Uses
such
as
manufacturing,
auto
body
shops,
and
other
point
source
polluters
should
be
reasonably
separated
from
sensitive
receptors.
Policy
AQ-‐1.5
Ensure
all
construction
activities
minimize
emissions
of
all
air
quality
pollutants.
Program
AQ-‐1.5.a:
All
grading
and
ground
disturbance
activities
shall
adhere
to
established
fugitive
dust
criteria.
Program
AQ-‐1.5.b:
Fugitive
Dust
Control
Plans
shall
be
reviewed
and
approved
for
development
projects.
Policy
AQ-‐1.6
Proposed
development
air
quality
emissions
of
criteria
pollutants
shall
be
analyzed
under
CEQA.
Policy
AQ-‐1.7
Greenhouse
gas
emissions
associated
with
a
development
project
shall
demonstrate
adherence
to
the
City’s
GHG
Reduction
Plan.
AIR
QUALITY
III-‐13
Policy
AQ-‐1.8
The
City
shall
adopt
a
comprehensive
greenhouse
gas
reduction
plan
that
sets
forth
reduction
targets,
timelines,
and
measures
to
achieve
targets.
Program
AQ-‐1.8.a:
Implement
the
GHG
reduction
measures
detailed
in
the
GHG
Reduction
Plan.
Program
AQ-‐1.8.b:
Establish
a
comprehensive
database
to
maintain
an
inventory
of
city
government
resource
use
and
conservation
with
interdepartmental
access.
Program
AQ-‐1.8.c:
Coordinate
with
Burrtec
to
establish
and
implement
programs
that
divert
wastes
from
landfills,
such
as
the
composting
of
food
waste
and
plant
debris
and
the
expanded
re-‐use
and
recycling
of
materials,
to
reduce
methane
emissions.
RELATED
GOALS
As
described
above,
this
Element
relates
to
others
in
this
General
Plan.
The
following
Goals,
and
their
associated
policies
and
programs,
are
closely
related
to
those
of
this
Element.
GOAL
SC-‐1:
A
community
that
provides
the
best
possible
quality
of
life
for
all
its
residents.
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
III-‐15
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
PURPOSE
Energy
and
mineral
resources
are
components
of
the
City’s
natural
resources.
Energy
resources
include
electric
power,
natural
gas
service,
and
propane
gas
service,
which
is
limited
to
the
La
Quinta
Cove
and
some
areas
in
the
Sphere
of
Influence
(SOI).
Recent
changes
in
California
law
and
residents’
concerns
regarding
energy
efficiency
and
conservation
have
placed
a
particular
focus
on
energy
use
now
and
in
the
future.
Mineral
resources
in
the
region
consist
primarily
of
sand
and
gravel
for
construction,
which
have
not
been
mined
in
the
City
or
its
SOI
in
many
years.
Government
Code
Section
65560
requires
that
cities
consider
in
their
General
Plans
lands
for
the
managed
production
of
natural
resources.
The
Energy
and
Mineral
Resources
Element
addresses
these
resources,
and
their
relationship
to
the
City’s
long-‐term
growth.
BACKGROUND
Energy
Resources
Electricity
is
provided
to
the
City
and
its
SOI
by
the
Imperial
Irrigation
District
(IID),
a
local
taxing
district
which
provides
electric
power
to
the
eastern
Coachella
Valley
and
Imperial
County.
IID
generates
over
60%
of
its
power
from
a
number
of
facilities,
including
the
Coachella
Gas
Turbine
facility
in
Coachella,
and
its
transmission
facilities
include
its
Green
Path
system,
which
transmits
geothermal
energy
produced
in
Imperial
County.
IID
has
diversified
its
portfolio
and
is
striving
to
achieve
its
goal
of
deriving
a
minimum
of
20%
of
its
electricity
from
alternative
energy
sources,
such
as
geothermal,
solar
and
wind
energy.
In
2005
in
La
Quinta,
a
total
of
9,750
customers
consumed
222,576,000
kilowatt
hours
(kWh)
of
electricity.
Single
family
homes
and
condominiums
consumed
on
average
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
III-‐16
17,917
kWh
each,
and
were
the
single
largest
user
of
electricity
in
the
City.
The
City
has
committed
to
reducing
its
consumption
of
electricity
through
a
number
of
programs,
discussed
below
and
in
the
Livable
Community
Element.
.
Natural
gas
is
provided
to
the
City
by
The
Gas
Company,
which
transports
natural
gas
to
the
Coachella
Valley
through
regional
high
pressure
lines.
Limiting
stations
transfer
the
gas
to
supply
lines
with
reduced
pressure,
which
feed
local
accounts.
Natural
gas
is
the
primary
energy
source
for
water
heaters,
cooking
and
heating.
In
2005,
the
City
consumed
692,150,000
cubic
feet
of
natural
gas.
In
2009,
the
City
consumed
an
estimated
950
million
cubic
feet
of
natural
gas.
In
areas
where
natural
gas
service
is
not
available,
including
portions
of
the
La
Quinta
Cove
and
older
homes
in
the
SOI,
propane
gas
is
used
instead.
Propane
is
supplied
by
private
companies
which
contract
with
individuals
and
businesses
to
fill
on-‐site
tanks
for
private
use.
Alternative
Energy
The
western
end
of
the
Coachella
Valley
has
produced
wind
energy
for
years.
The
City
and
its
SOI
do
not
have
sustained
winds
sufficient
to
accommodate
commercial
wind
energy
development,
but
they
have,
and
will
continue,
to
benefit
from
this
resource.
State
and
federal
programs
have
expanded
the
potential
for
wind
energy
development,
which
is
currently
being
considered
for
expansion
on
federal
lands
in
the
region.
As
described
above,
geothermal
energy
is
in
production
in
Imperial
County
and
is
currently
part
of
the
IID
energy
portfolio.
Its
expansion
is
also
likely
during
the
life
of
this
General
Plan,
as
additional
sources
are
tapped
and
harnessed.
More
studies
are
required
to
determine
whether
geothermal
energy
production
is
feasible
locally.
However,
the
City
can
expect
to
continue
to
use
geothermal
energy
produced
elsewhere
well
into
the
future.
The
City’s
abundant
sunshine
makes
solar
energy
use
the
most
promising
alternative
energy
production
method
for
the
future.
In
the
past,
consumer-‐level
solar
energy
systems
were
costly
and
unreliable.
The
latest
technology,
however,
has
reduced
costs
and
improved
efficiency.
During
the
life
of
this
General
Plan,
it
can
be
expected
that
solar
energy
use
for
residences
and
businesses
will
increase
substantially.
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
III-‐17
Energy
and
Greenhouse
Gases
In
recent
years,
concerns
regarding
the
existence
and
increase
in
greenhouse
gases
have
grown.
Greenhouse
gases
include
carbon
dioxide,
methane,
nitrous
oxides
and
fluorinated
gases
which
have
been
shown
to
damage
our
atmosphere
and
increase
global
warming.
Although
the
primary
source
of
greenhouse
gases
is
the
automobile,
the
creation
and
consumption
of
energy
also
produces
greenhouse
gases.
In
2006,
the
State
legislature
passed,
and
the
Governor
signed,
the
California
Global
Warming
Solution
Act,
which
requires
that
all
greenhouse
gas
emissions
be
reduced
to
1990
levels
by
2020,
and
that
reductions
of
80%
below
1990
levels
be
achieved
by
2050.
By
reducing
its
consumption
of
energy,
the
City
will
help
to
meet
these
targets
during
the
life
of
this
General
Plan.
Mineral
Resources
Mineral
resources
in
the
City
and
the
region
consist
primarily
of
sand
and
gravel
which
has
been
transported
by
wind
and
rain
into
the
Valley
from
surrounding
mountains
over
millennia.
California
requires
that
mineral
resources
be
identified
and
that
the
mining
of
identified
resources
be
protected.
The
California
Department
of
Conservation,
Division
of
Mines
and
Geology
has
mapped
the
region’s
resources
and
identified
three
Mineral
Resource
Zones
in
the
City:
MRZ-‐1
lands
are
areas
where
adequate
information
indicates
that
no
significant
mineral
deposits
are
present,
or
where
it
is
judged
that
little
likelihood
for
their
presence
exists.
MRZ-‐2
lands
include
areas
where
adequate
information
indicates
that
significant
mineral
deposits
are
present,
or
where
it
is
judged
that
a
high
likelihood
for
their
presence
exists.
MRZ-‐3
lands
are
areas
containing
mineral
deposits,
the
significance
of
which
cannot
be
evaluated
from
available
data.
As
shown
in
Exhibit
III-‐1,
most
of
the
City
and
its
Sphere
lie
within
MRZ-‐
1,
while
lands
south
of
Avenue
60
have
not
been
studied.
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
III-‐18
THIS
PAGE
INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
III-‐20
PAGE
NUMBER
SPACER
-‐
PULL
FROM
DOC
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
III-‐21
Only
one
area
of
the
City
is
identified
as
having
the
potential
for
mineral
resources
(please
see
Exhibit
III-‐1).
The
MRZ-‐2
zone
was
previously
a
quarry
site,
but
has
been
developed
as
a
country
club
community
for
several
years.
The
future
development
of
the
City’s
hillsides
will
be
unlikely,
as
they
are
designated
for
Open
Space
and
are
not
expected
to
develop.
No
other
lands
are
identified
in
the
City
or
its
Sphere
as
having
the
potential
to
harbor
mineral
resources.
Lands
south
of
Avenue
60
have
not
been
studied
yet.
If
they
prove
to
contain
mineral
resources,
the
City
will
diligently
and
responsibly
manage
these
mineral
resources.
PLANNING
FOR
THE
FUTURE
The
continued
growth
of
the
City
and
its
Sphere
will
require
additional
energy
resources.
Although
IID
and
The
Gas
Company
are
expected
to
continue
to
supply
the
City
and
its
Sphere
with
electricity
and
natural
gas,
respectively,
the
City
is
also
committed
to
the
conservation
of
these
resources
and
to
reducing
energy
usage
to
the
greatest
extent
possible.
Additionally,
the
City
has
developed
a
Greenhouse
Gas
Reduction
Plan
which
establishes
reduction
targets
and
implementation
programs
to
help
the
City
meet
the
requirements
of
the
California
Global
Warming
Solutions
Act.
While
the
policies
and
programs
in
this
element
are
specifically
focused
on
energy
resources,
the
Livable
Community
Element
includes
detailed
policies
and
programs
to
achieve
global
warming
goals.
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
III-‐22
GOALS,
POLICIES
AND
PROGRAMS
GOAL
EM-‐1
The
sustainable
use
and
management
of
energy
and
mineral
resources.
Policy
EM-‐1.1
Strongly
encourage
conservation
of
energy
resources.
Program
EM-‐1.2.a:
Review
and
amend,
as
appropriate,
Zoning
Ordinance
procedures
and
standards
to
include
site
orientation,
solar
control
and
use
of
passive
heating
and
cooling
techniques.
Policy
EM-‐1.2
Support
the
use
of
alternative
energy
and
the
conversion
of
traditional
energy
sources
to
alternative
energy.
Program
EM-‐1.2.a:
Encourage
installation
of
alternative
energy
devices
on
new
and
existing
development.
Programs
may
include
City-‐funded
incentive
programs;
matching
fund
programs
with
IID,
The
Gas
Company
and
alternative
energy
providers,
as
well
as
other
programs
as
they
become
available.
Program
EM-‐1.2.b:
As
funding
and
applicability
allows,
incorporate
Compressed
Natural
Gas
(CNG),
hybrid
or
electric
vehicles
into
the
City
fleet
as
vehicles
are
replaced,
with
a
target
to
complete
the
conversion
by
2035.
Program
EM-‐1.2.c:
Continue
participation
in
the
Sunline
Transit
Agency,
and
promote
the
use
of
alternative
fuel
technologies
for
its
buses.
Program
EM-‐1.2.d:
As
appropriate,
incorporate
LED
or
other
energy-‐efficient
lighting
in
signals
and
lights
throughout
the
City.
Program
EM-‐1.2.e:
Explore
opportunities
to
provide
a
CNG
and
other
alternate
fuel
fueling
station
in
the
City.
Program
EM-‐1.2.f:
Implement,
as
appropriate,
energy-‐efficient
improvements
in
City
buildings
and
facilities
using
Energy
Efficiency
Conservation
Block
Grant
or
similar
funds.
ENERGY
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
III-‐23
GOAL
EM-‐2
The
conservation
and
thoughtful
management
of
local
mineral
deposits
to
assure
the
long-‐term
viability
of
limited
resources.
Policy
EM-‐2.1
Preserve
mineral
resources
identified
by
the
Department
of
Mines
and
Geology
to
the
greatest
extent
possible.
Program
EM-‐2.1.a:
As
appropriate,
designate
undeveloped
lands
known
to
contain
mineral
resources
as
determined
by
the
Department
of
Mines
and
Geology
as
Open
Space
on
the
General
Plan
Land
Use
Map.
Program
EM-‐2.1.b:
Review
and
amend
the
Zoning
Ordinance
as
appropriate
to
require
that
mineral
extraction
occurring
in
the
City
be
subject
to
the
requirements
of
the
California
Surface
Mining
and
Reclamation
Act
(SMARA),
and
the
City’s
Zoning
procedures.
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐25
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
PURPOSE
The
Biological
Resources
Element
provides
background
information
on
the
City’s
diverse
natural
habitats
and
the
species
which
live
in
these
habitats.
It
provides
information
on
the
Coachella
Valley
Multiple
Species
Habitat
Conservation
Plan
(CV
MSHCP)
and
those
species
covered
by
the
Plan
which
may
occur
in
the
City.
The
Element
also
includes
goals,
policies
and
programs
to
direct
the
preservation
of
valuable
habitat
and
the
species
which
occur
in
the
City,
and
to
comply
with
federal,
state,
and
regional
efforts
associated
with
biological
resource
preservation.
California
Government
Code
Section
65302(d)
requires
that
the
General
Plan
include
a
natural
resources
component,
which
addresses,
among
other
issues,
biological
resources.
The
Biological
Resources
Element
directly
relates
to
the
Land
Use
and
Open
Space
elements
and
has
the
potential
to
impact
both.
In
addition,
native
species
can
be
significantly
affected
by
the
availability
of
water,
tying
this
Element
to
the
Water
Resources
Element.
BACKGROUND
La
Quinta’s
natural
environment
varies
considerably,
as
its
elevation
ranges
from
130
feet
below
sea
level
in
the
southeastern
corner
of
the
Sphere
of
Influence,
to
over
1,700
feet
above
sea
level
in
the
foothills
of
the
Santa
Rosa
Mountains.
The
majority
of
the
City
and
the
Sphere
of
Influence
occur
on
the
Valley
floor,
which
has
a
climate
characterized
by
hot,
dry
summers
and
mild
winters.
Climate
has
affected
soils,
and
therefore,
the
habitats
which
can
be
sustained
in
the
City.
Most
of
the
11
soil
types
found
in
the
City
and
its
Sphere
are
sandy
in
nature
and
well-‐drained.
Rock
and
rubble
occur
in
the
Santa
Rosa
foothills.
(Please
see
the
Soils
and
Geology
Element
for
greater
detail
on
soil
types
in
the
City.)
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐26
Naturally
occurring
habitat
within
the
City
and
on
the
Valley
floor
has
largely
disappeared
due
to
the
impacts
of
agriculture
and
urban
development.
The
majority
of
the
City’s
vegetation
consists
of
non-‐
native
ornamental
plants
which
have
been
introduced
via
urban
development.
Native
habitat
still
occurs
on
the
slopes
of
the
Santa
Rosas,
and
lands
which
are
designated
as
Open
Space
on
the
City’s
Land
Use
Map,
and
these
areas
have
little
potential
for
development.
Common
Native
Plant
Species
The
base
of
the
foothills,
drainages
and
streams
in
the
City
consist
primarily
of
Sonoran
Creosote
Bush
Scrub,
Sonoran
Mixed
Woody
and
Succulent
Scrub,
and
Desert
Dry
Wash
Woodland.
Sonoran
Creosote
Bush
Scrub
is
the
most
common
plant
community
in
the
City
and
the
Coachella
Valley,
and
is
dominated
by
Creosote
Bush,
Burrobush,
Brittlebush
and
similar
common
species.
This
plant
community
also
has
the
highest
concentration
of
annual
desert
wildflowers,
which
can
result
in
bright
explosions
of
color
in
the
spring.
Sonoran
Mixed
Woody
and
Succulent
Scrub,
which
occurs
primarily
at
the
base
of
the
Santa
Rosa
Mountains,
is
similar
to
Creosote
Bush
Scrub,
but
has
a
higher
plant
density
and
greater
variety
of
species,
including
cacti
and
succulents.
This
habitat
can
include
Golden
Cholla,
Buckhorn
Cholla,
Beavertail,
California
Barrel
Cactus
and
Ocotillo.
Desert
Dry
Wash
Woodland
is
dominated
by
Blue
Palo
Verde,
Ironwood
and
Smoketree,
which
are
all
well
adapted
to
intermittent
water
flows
in
the
washes
and
drainage
courses
which
occur
in
the
City’s
southern
end.
The
northern
area
of
the
City
was
originally
wind
blown
sandy
habitat,
including
desert
dunes
and
sand
field
habitats.
The
development
of
lands
to
the
northwest
over
time
has
reduced
the
amount
of
sand
transported
to
these
areas
and
resulted
in
stabilized
sand
habitats
that
are
more
likely
to
support
non-‐native
and
invasive
species,
which
have
degraded
the
natural
communities.
Little
of
this
habitat
still
occurs,
and
those
parcels
which
are
still
vacant
are
generally
isolated.
None
of
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐27
the
sand
field
habitats
within
the
City
have
been
identified
for
preservation
in
the
CV
MSHCP.
In
the
Sphere
of
Influence,
Desert
Saltbush
Scrub
occurs
on
soils
which
are
poorly
drained
and
have
high
salinity
or
alkalinity,
most
often
occurring
on
long-‐fallow
agricultural
lands.
In
addition
to
the
native
Big
Saltbush,
Allscale
and
Honey
Mesquite,
this
habitat
often
supports
non-‐native
alkali
tolerant
species.
Common
Native
Wildlife
Native
species
in
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
can
be
divided
into
two
types:
those
which
have
adapted
to
the
disturbed
sand
field,
saltbush
scrub,
agricultural
and
urban
development;
and
those
which
occur
in
the
less
disturbed
habitats
that
currently
exist
on
the
southern
and
western
edges
of
the
City
and
Sphere.
Insects
common
in
the
City
and
Sphere
include
Harvester
Ants,
Creosote
Bush
Grasshopper
and
Black
Widow
Spider.
Amphibians
include
California
Toad
and
Pacific
Tree
Frog;
while
the
Zebra-‐tailed
Lizard,
Desert
Horned
Lizard,
California
Kingsnake,
and
Colorado
Desert
Sidewinder
are
common
reptiles.
The
City
and
its
Sphere
also
support
a
number
of
native
birds,
including
the
House
Finch
and
House
Sparrow,
Abert’s
Towhee,
Mourning
Dove
and
Red-‐tailed
Hawk.
Common
mammals
include
the
Black-‐tailed
Jackrabbit,
Pocket
Mouse
and
California
Ground
Squirrel.
A
complete
listing
of
common
species
found
in
the
City
and
Sphere
is
available
in
the
General
Plan
EIR.
Special
Status
Species
Species
which
are
considered
threatened
or
endangered
under
either
the
California
or
federal
Endangered
Species
Acts
are
called
special
status
species.
The
US
Fish
and
Wildlife
Service
(FWS),
CDFG,
and
the
California
Native
Plant
Society
(CNPS)
all
maintain
lists
of
these
species.
The
Table
III-‐3
provides
a
list
of
special
status
species
known
to
occur
in
the
City
or
its
Sphere
of
Influence.
In
addition
to
these
species,
habitat
has
been
modeled
for
Coachella
Valley
Milk
Vetch,
Desert
Tortoise
and
Palm
Springs
Pocket
Mouse,
although
these
species
have
not
been
observed
in
the
City
or
its
Sphere
of
Influence.
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐28
Table
III-‐3
Special
Status
Species
Common
Name
Scientific
Name
Habitat
State
and
Local
Status
Federal
Status
Chaparral
Sand-‐Verbena
Abronia
villosa
var.
aurita
Sandy
areas; Chaparral/
Desertdunes
CNPS
List
1B.1
State:
S2.1
Glandular
Ditaxis
Ditaxis
claryana Sandy
habitats
Sonoran
Desert
scrub
0-‐465
meters
CNPS
List
2.2
State:
S1S2
California
Ditaxis
Ditaxis
serrata
var.
californica
Sonoran
Desert
Scrub CNPS
List
3.2
State:
S2.2
Flat-‐tailed
Horned
Lizard
Phyrnosoma
mcallii
Sandy
habitats
with
adjacent
hardpan,
often
sparsely
vegetated,
also
saltbush
habitats
State:
S2
CDFG:
CSC
CVMSHCP
Coachella
Valley
Fringe-‐toed
Lizard
Uma
inornata Sand
dunes,
sand
fields CDFG:
Endangered/S1
CVMSHCP
Threatened
Burrowing
Owl
Athene
cunicularia
Burrows/abandoned
Foundation
structures,
Creosote
Bush
&
Ruderal
Scrub
(edges
of
canals/agriculture)
State:
S2
CDFG:
CSC
CVMSHCP
Prairie
Falcon
Falco
mexicanus
Cliff
faces
(nesting),
Open
habitats
for
foraging
State:
S3
CDFG:
Watchlist
Black-‐tailed
Gnatcatcher
Polioptila
melanura
Desert
scrub
and
desert
wash
woodland
habitats
State:
S4
Loggerhead
Shrike
Lanius
ludovicianus
Fairly
common
in
a
variety
of
open
habitats
State:
S4
CDFG:
CSC
Western
Yellow
Bat
Lasiurus
xanthinus/ega
Primarily
roosts
in
the
dead
fronds
of
palms,
including
landscape
specimens
State:
S3
CDFG:
CSC
CVMSHCP
Pocketed
Free-‐
tailed
Bat
Nyctinomops
femorosaccus
Variety
of
arid
habitats
Desert
Scrub,
Palm
Oasis,
Desert
Wash,
roosts
in
rocky
cliffs
State:
S2S3
CDFG:
CSC
Palm
Springs
Round-‐tailed
Ground
Squirrel
Xerospermophilus
tereticaudus
chlorus
Desert
Scrub,
Desert
Wash,
Alkali
Scrub,
&
levees,
golf
course
edges
w/
adjacent
native
habitat
State:
S1S2
CDFG:
CSC
CVMSHCP
Candidate
Peninsular
Bighorn
Sheep
Ovis
canadensis
nelsoni
DPS
Lower
elevations
of
the
eastern
Peninsular
Ranges,
including
canyon
bottoms,
alluvial
fans,
and
mountain
slopes
Threatened
CVMSHCP
Endangered
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐29
Table
Legend
Habitat:
terrestrial
natural
community
descriptions
per
Holland
(1986)
State
of
California
and
Local
Status:
Endangered,
Threatened,
Protected,
Special
Concern
status
per
the
California
Fish
and
Game
Code
of
2007,
as
well
as
all
species
protected
by
the
Coachella
Valley
Multiple
Species
Habitat
Conservation
Plan
(species
covered
by
plan
listed
as
CVMSHCP).
Federal
Status:
Endangered,
Threatened
and
Candidate
for
listing
status
per
the
Endangered
Species
Act
of
1973
(as
amended).
It
is
mandatory
that
federally
listed
plant
species
be
fully
considered
during
preparation
of
environmental
documents
pertaining
to
the
California
Environmental
Quality
Act
or
National
Environmental
Policy
Act,
or
any
federal
authorization.
California
Native
Plant
Society
(CNPS)
listing
rankings
(CNPS
2010)
are
described
as
follows:
List
1A:
Plants
(29)
presumed
extinct
in
California
because
they
have
not
been
seen
or
collected
in
the
wild
in
California
for
many
years.
List
1B:
Plants
considered
rare
and
endangered
in
California
and
throughout
their
range.
All
of
the
plants
constituting
List
1B
meet
the
definitions
of
Section
1901,
Chapter
10
(Native
Plant
Protection
Act)
or
Sections
2062
and
2067
(California
Endangered
Species
Act)
of
the
California
Department
of
Fish
and
Game
Code
and
are
eligible
for
state
listing.
It
is
mandatory
that
these
plant
species
be
fully
considered
during
preparation
of
environmental
documents
pertaining
to
the
California
Environmental
Quality
Act.
List
2:
Plants
considered
rare,
threatened
or
endangered
in
California
but
which
are
more
common
elsewhere.
List
3:
Plants
about
which
more
information
is
needed
to
assign
them
to
one
of
the
other
lists.
List
4:
Plants
of
limited
distribution
(a
“watch
list”)
or
infrequent
throughout
a
broader
area
in
California,
their
vulnerability
to
threat
appears
low
at
this
time.
Threat
Rank
0.1
Seriously
threatened
in
California
(high
degree/immediacy
of
threat)
0.2
Fairly
threatened
in
California
(moderate
degree/immediacy
of
threat)
0.3
Not
very
threatened
in
California
(low
degree/immediacy
of
threat)
State
Ranks
S1:
5
or
fewer
viable
occurrences
or
fewer
than
1,000
individuals
statewide
and/or
less
than
2,000
acres
S2:
6
–
20
viable
occurrences
or
fewer
than
3,000
individuals
statewide
and/or
2,000
–
10,000
acres
S3:
21
–
100
viable
occurrences
or
fewer
than
10,000
individuals
statewide
and/or
10,000
–
50,000
acres
S4:
Greater
than
100
viable
occurrences
statewide
and/or
greater
than
50,000
acres,
apparently
secure
statewide
S5:
Community
demonstrably
secure
statewide
Where
two
ranks
are
given
(eg.
S1S2)
the
species’
rank
falls
between
the
two
ranks
Threat
Ranks
0.1:
Very
threatened
0.2:
Threatened
0.3:
No
current
threats
known
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐30
Seven
of
the
species
in
Table
III-‐3
are
not
covered
by
the
CV
MSHCP.
Each
is
briefly
described
below,
along
with
the
likelihood
of
its
occurrence
in
the
City
and
Sphere.
Glandular
Ditaxis
has
been
identified
at
two
locations
in
the
planning
area,
both
of
which
have
been
developed.
There
is
a
low
potential
for
the
occurrence
of
the
species
in
the
southern
and
western
edges
of
the
City
and
Sphere.
Spring
or
fall
surveys
are
required
for
the
species
following
sufficient
rainfall.
California
Ditaxis
occurs
in
dry
washes,
flood
plains
and
rocky
alluvial
fans.
It
was
previously
identified
west
of
Avenida
Montezuma
and
Calle
Nogales,
in
the
Cove.
There
is
a
moderate
to
high
potential
that
the
species
occurs
in
the
southern
and
western
areas
of
the
City.
Spring
surveys
are
required
for
the
species
following
sufficient
rainfall.
The
Burrowing
Owl
uses
burrows
dug
out
by
other
wildlife,
such
as
the
Kit
Fox,
Desert
Tortoise,
or
Ground
Squirrel;
it
also
uses
man-‐
made
structures
such
as
piles
of
rubble
or
tree
branches,
pipes
or
buildings.
The
species
is
a
protected
raptor
as
well
as
a
species
of
special
concern,
and
therefore
requires
CDFG
notification
and
approved
mitigation
prior
to
any
activity
which
might
impact
the
species.
The
species
has
the
potential
to
occur
throughout
the
City
and
Sphere,
where
undeveloped
or
fallow
land
occurs.
Site-‐specific
surveys
are
needed
to
identify
the
species.
The
Prairie
Falcon
is
a
medium
to
large
sized
migratory
raptor
which
winters
in
the
region.
Its
preferred
habitat
is
cliffs
or
steep
rock
ledges
in
the
western
and
southern
parts
of
the
City
and
its
Sphere.
Prairie
Falcons
have
been
identified
at
the
southwestern
end
of
the
City.
The
species
is
a
protected
raptor
as
well
as
a
species
of
special
concern,
and
therefore
requires
CDFG
notification
and
approved
mitigation
prior
to
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐31
any
activity
which
might
impact
the
species.
Site-‐specific
surveys
are
needed
to
identify
the
species.
The
Black-‐tailed
Gnatcatcher
is
a
small
resident
songbird
which
has
been
identified
at
two
locations
in
the
City,
and
which
is
likely
to
occur
in
the
western
and
southern
portions
of
the
City
and
its
Sphere.
Site-‐
specific
surveys
are
needed
to
identify
the
species.
The
Loggerhead
Shrike
is
reasonably
common
in
California,
but
has
been
significantly
depleted
in
other
parts
of
the
US.
It
occurs
in
undeveloped
areas,
the
hillsides
in
the
south
and
west,
and
on
the
edges
of
agricultural
fields.
No
specific
study
or
preservation
prescriptions
are
attached
to
the
species.
The
Pocketed
Free-‐tailed
Bat
has
large
ears
and
long
wings,
and
roosts
in
caves
crevices
and
cliffs.
It
is
likely
to
use
golf
courses
for
foraging
and
drinking.
Since
the
species
uses
rocky
terrain
in
the
Santa
Rosa
Mountains
for
its
roosts,
the
Open
Space
designation
applied
to
these
lands
should
protect
it
from
harm
within
the
City
and
its
Sphere.
Locations
where
the
species
above
have
been
sighted,
and
the
areas
requiring
species-‐specific
studies
are
shown
in
Exhibit
III-‐2.
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐32
THIS
PAGE
INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐34
PAGE
NUMBER
SPACER
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FROM
DOC
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐35
Coachella
Valley
Multiple
Species
Habitat
Conservation
Plan
(MSHCP)
The
Coachella
Valley
Multiple
Species
Habitat
Conservation
Plan
(MSHCP)
has
been
implemented
since
2008.
The
MSHCP
addresses
the
conservation
of
27
species
and
24
vegetation
communities
in
the
Coachella
Valley,
covering
more
than
1.2
million
acres.
The
MSHCP
has
two
primary
goals
–
to
balance
the
protection
of
the
natural
environment
with
the
economic
development
needs
of
the
Valley;
and
to
streamline
compliance
with
California
and
federal
endangered
species
regulations
and
permitting
for
the
species
covered
by
the
Plan.
The
MSHCP
includes
identified
conservation
areas
throughout
the
Valley.
In
La
Quinta,
conservation
areas
are
limited
to
lands
in
the
Santa
Rosa
Mountains
and
its
foothills.
The
MSHCP
quantifies
the
conservation
goals
for
La
Quinta,
as
follows:
2,545
acres
of
Essential
Habitat
for
the
Peninsular
bighorn
sheep
387
acres
of
Conserved
Habitat
for
the
Le
Conte’s
thrasher
1,409
acres
of
Conserved
Habitat
for
the
Desert
Tortoise
76
acres
of
desert
dry
wash
woodland
Conserve
occupied
burrowing
owl
burrows
as
provided
for
in
the
MSHCP
avoidance,
minimization
and
mitigation
measures.
Development
proposed
on
lands
which
are
not
designated
for
conservation
is
required
to
pay
a
mitigation
fee,
which
assures
that
funds
will
be
available
in
the
future
for
the
purchase
of
conservation
lands,
and
which
offsets
the
potential
impacts
of
that
development
on
the
natural
environment.
Streambeds
and
Blueline
Streams
The
primary
ephemeral
stream
through
the
City
is
the
Coachella
Valley
Stormwater
Channel,
known
as
the
Whitewater
River
west
of
Washington
Street.
The
Channel
qualifies
as
both
a
Water
of
the
State
of
California,
and
a
Water
of
the
United
States,
and
therefore
falls
under
the
jurisdiction
of
both
the
California
Department
of
Fish
and
Game
(CDFG)
and
the
US
Army
Corps
of
Engineers
(USACE).
Any
construction
activity
within
the
Channel
requires
consultation
with
both
CDFG
and
the
USACE
and
the
securing
of
permits
from
both
agencies.
A
number
of
smaller,
mostly
unnamed
streams
drain
from
the
Santa
Rosa
Mountains,
including
Bear
Creek,
which
enters
the
City
at
the
south
end
of
the
Cove.
These
drainage
courses
fall
under
the
jurisdiction
of
the
CDFG,
but
are
not
considered
“waters
of
the
United
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐36
States,”
as
defined
by
USACE.
Construction
activity
in
these
streams,
including
the
La
Quinta
Evacuation
Channel,
requires
consultation
with
CDFG,
and
may
require
a
permit
prior
to
the
initiation
of
work.
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐38
PAGE
NUMBER
SPACER
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FROM
DOC
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐39
Migratory
Bird
Treaty
Act
Common
and
special
status
birds
in
the
City
and
its
Sphere
are
almost
all
protected
under
the
Migratory
Bird
Treaty
Act
(MBTA).
This
federal
law
prohibits
the
disturbance
of
nests,
eggs
or
incubating
birds
while
nests
are
active.
In
the
City,
the
nesting
period
generally
ranges
from
March
through
August.
Projects
undertaken
during
that
time
must
first
determine
if
active
nests
occur
in
trees
and
bushes
prior
to
removing
them.
PLANNING
FOR
THE
FUTURE
The
City’s
native
biological
environment
on
the
Valley
floor
will
continue
to
shrink
as
development
occurs.
The
City’s
participation
in
the
MSHCP
will
help
to
offset
this
loss
by
acquiring
lands
regionally
for
preservation.
However,
the
City
can
support
the
preservation
of
native
species,
some
of
which
have
proven
to
be
adaptable
to
developed
conditions,
through
the
planting
of
native
plants
and
the
continued
use
of
drought
tolerant
landscaping
techniques,
which
do
not
significantly
increase
the
water
levels
in
the
soil.
The
City
must
also
assure
that
impacts
to
species
not
covered
by
the
MSHCP
do
not
significantly
affect
these
populations
by
requiring
site-‐
specific
surveys
for
those
species
as
development
is
proposed
in
their
habitats.
Fortunately,
the
majority
of
these
species
occur
at
the
base
of
the
Santa
Rosa
Mountains,
in
areas
which
are
to
be
conserved
under
the
MSHCP,
and
these
uncovered
species
will,
therefore,
receive
de
facto
protection.
GOALS,
POLICIES
AND
PROGRAMS
GOAL
BIO-‐1
The
protection
and
preservation
of
native
and
environmentally
significant
biological
resources
and
their
habitats.
Policy
BIO-‐1.1
Continue
to
implement
the
Coachella
Valley
Multiple
Species
Habitat
Conservation
Plan
(MSHCP).
Program
BIO-‐1.1.a:
Building
permits
shall
not
be
issued
for
projects
required
to
pay
the
MSHCP
local
development
mitigation
fee
until
such
time
as
the
fee
has
been
paid
to
the
City.
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐40
Program
BIO-‐1.1.b:
For
lands
identified
by
the
MSHCP
as
slated
for
conservation
within
the
City,
the
Planning
Department
will
refer
land
owners
and
developers
to
the
Coachella
Valley
Association
of
Governments
and/or
Coachella
Valley
Conservation
Commission
for
guidance
and
permitting
assistance.
Program
BIO-‐1.1.c:
The
Planning
Department
will
maintain
maps
of
conservation
and
mitigation
fee
boundaries
for
the
MSHCP,
and
update
them
as
necessary.
Policy
BIO-‐1.2
Where
appropriate,
site-‐specific,
species-‐specific
surveys
shall
be
required
for
the
seven
species
not
covered
by
the
MSHCP.
Program
BIO-‐1.2.a:
The
Planning
Department
will,
in
conjunction
with
the
entitlement
process,
require
the
preparation
of
biological
resource
surveys
by
a
qualified
biologist
on
properties
identified
on
Exhibit
III-‐2
as
having
potential
habitat
for
the
following
species:
Glandular
Ditaxis,
California
Ditaxis,
Prairie
Falcon,
Black-‐tailed
Gnatcatcher,
Loggerhead
Shrike
and
Pocketed
Free-‐tailed
Bat,
if
the
development
proposal
occurs
in
an
area
identified
as
having
potential
for
the
species,
as
described
in
this
Element.
Program
BIO-‐1.2.b:
Prior
to
the
issuance
of
any
ground
disturbing
permit
for
qualifying
projects7
in
a
Conservation
Area,
the
City
will
require
a
protocol
compliant
survey
for
burrowing
owl,
in
compliance
with
the
MSHCP
Section
4.4.
Program
BIO-‐1.2.c:
Prior
to
the
issuance
of
any
ground
disturbing
permit
for
fallow
lands
outside
Conservation
areas,
the
City
will
require
protocol
compliant
surveys
for
burrowing
owl.
Policy
BIO-‐1.3
Publicly
owned
conservation
lands,
including
those
for
the
MSHCP,
shall
be
designated
as
Open
Space
on
the
Land
Use
Map.
7
Qualifying
projects
do
not
include
single
family
residences,
non-‐commercial
accessory
uses
and
structures
(including
but
not
limited
to
second
units
on
an
existing
legal
lot),
or
the
operation
and
maintenance
of
Covered
Activities
other
than
levees,
berms,
dikes,
and
similar
features
known
to
contain
burrowing
owl
burrows.
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
III-‐41
Policy
BIO-‐1.4
Comply
with
the
requirements
of
the
Migratory
Bird
Treaty
Act
(MBTA).
Program
BIO-‐1.4.a:
Throughout
the
City,
prior
to
the
removal
of
vegetation
on
a
development
site
between
March
and
August,
a
qualified
biologist
shall
determine
whether
any
bird
nests
or
young
occur
on
the
site,
and
if
they
occur,
provide
mitigation
measures
compliant
with
the
MBTA.
Policy
BIO-‐1.5
Comply
with
the
regulatory
requirements
of
the
California
Department
of
Fish
and
Game,
the
US
Army
Corps
of
Engineers,
and
the
Regional
Water
Quality
Control
Board
as
they
relate
to
“waters
of
the
State
of
California”
and/or
“waters
of
the
United
States.”
Program
BIO-‐1.5.a:
Prior
to
the
initiation
of
any
project
within
any
defined
blueline
stream
as
identified
on
Exhibit
III-‐3,
the
City
will
require
that
consultation
and/or
permitting
by
CDFG
be
demonstrated
in
writing.
Policy
BIO-‐1.6
Native
desert
plant
materials
should
be
incorporated
into
new
development
projects
to
the
greatest
extent
possible.
Invasive,
non-‐
native
species
shall
be
discouraged.
Policy
BIO-‐1.7
Sensitive
habitat
areas,
including
conservation
areas
for
the
MSHCP,
should
be
buffered
from
urban
development
to
the
greatest
extent
possible.
Program
BIO-‐1.7.a:
Use
zoning
standards
and
the
design
review
process
to
assure
that
adequate
buffers
are
provided
in
environmentally
sensitive
areas.
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐43
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
PURPOSE
The
Cultural
Resources
Element
describes
prehistoric,
historic
and
paleontological
resources
in
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence.
The
City
has
a
rich
history
which
includes
Ancient
Lake
Cahuilla
and
its
fossilized
resources,
Native
American
settlements
and
activity,
and
European
settlement
in
more
recent
times.
The
resources
which
remain
from
each
of
these
time
periods
are
non -‐renewable,
and
the
continued
development
of
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
has
the
potential
to
negatively
impact
artifacts
and
fossils
which
may
occur
in
the
area.
This
Element
describes
the
area’s
history
and
provides
goals,
policies
and
programs
intended
to
assure
that
the
cultural
resources
which
have
been
identified,
and
those
resources
which
may
be
identified
in
the
future,
are
preserved.
BACKGROUND
Prehistoric
Context
It
is
believed
that
early
settlement
by
the
ancestors
of
the
region’s
current
Native
American
peoples,
the
Cahuilla,
occurred
as
early
as
1000
BC.
Anthropologists
have
divided
the
Cahuilla
into
three
groups
based
on
the
geographic
areas
they
occupied
–
the
Pass
Cahuilla
in
the
San
Gorgonio
Pass
and
Palm
Springs
area;
the
Mountain
Cahuilla
in
the
San
Jacinto
and
Santa
Rosa
Mountains
and
the
Cahuilla
Valley;
and
the
Desert
Cahuilla
of
the
eastern
Coachella
Valley.
The
early
Cahuilla
had
many
villages
in
the
area
and
lived
off
local
plants
and
animals
and
the
aquatic
food
available
in
ancient
Lake
Cahuilla.
Lake
Cahuilla
filled
and
receded
several
times,
with
its
last
stand
believed
to
be
about
1650.
In
addition
to
the
lake,
seasonal
springs
and
hand
dug
wells
provided
water
to
these
villages.
Prior
to
European
contact,
it
has
been
estimated
that
there
were
between
3,600
and
10,000
native
people
in
the
region.
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐44
The
first
Europeans,
Romero,
Estudillo
and
Pacheco,
traveled
through
the
Coachella
Valley
searching
for
a
route
to
what
is
now
Yuma
in
1823
through
1825.
These
explorations
did
not
yield
settlement,
however,
as
the
conditions
were
harsh.
The
explorers
used
the
trails
that
had
been
established
by
the
native
peoples.
The
first
US
Government
Land
Office
surveys
in
the
area
occurred
in
the
1850s.
At
that
time,
surveyors
identified
four
native
villages
in
and
near
present
day
La
Quinta.
With
the
arrival
of
European
explorers
and
settlers,
the
native
peoples
were
decimated
by
diseases
introduced
to
the
area,
particularly
smallpox,
for
which
they
had
no
immunity.
By
the
early
20th
century,
government
surveyors
could
not
locate
most
of
the
Cahuilla
villages
identified
in
the
1850s.
The
descendants
of
the
Pass
and
Desert
Cahuilla
are
now
associated
with
several
local
reservations,
including
the
Torres
Martinez,
Cabazon
and
Augustine
to
the
east
and
south
of
the
City,
and
the
Agua
Caliente
and
Morongo
to
the
west.
Historic
Context
In
1862,
William
David
Bradshaw
“discovered”
the
Cocomaricopa
Trail,
a
route
that
had
been
established
by
native
peoples,
and
ran
from
the
Agua
Caliente
Village
(at
present
day
Palm
Springs)
to
the
Pima
villages
in
the
area
of
La
Paz,
Arizona.
Renamed
the
Bradshaw
Trail,
it
roughly
followed
the
course
of
present
day
Highway
111
and
became
the
primary
route
between
Los
Angeles
and
the
Colorado
River
and
the
nearby
gold
fields
in
Arizona.
In
the
1870s,
the
completion
of
the
Southern
Pacific
Railroad
line,
including
stations
in
the
Coachella
Valley,
began
an
influx
of
settlers,
and
by
the
1880s,
public
land
was
opened
for
private
land
claims
by
a
series
of
federal
laws.
As
a
result,
a
substantial
farming
community
developed
in
the
Coachella
Valley.
The
early
farms
were
dependent
on
artesian
wells
and
similar
naturally
occurring
water
sources.
A
reliable
and
steady
water
source
was
not
available
in
the
Valley
until
1948,
with
the
completion
of
the
Coachella
Branch
of
the
All-‐American
Canal.
The
first
land
claims
in
the
La
Quinta
area
occurred
at
the
turn
of
the
20th
century.
By
the
1910s,
a
number
of
ranches
were
operating
in
the
area
of
present
day
La
Quinta,
including
the
Point
Happy
Ranch.
In
the
1920s,
the
tourism
industry
began
to
establish
itself
in
the
region.
The
La
Quinta
Hotel,
built
by
Walter
Morgan,
began
construction
in
1926.
The
resulting
first
class
hotel
and
its
grounds
made
the
hotel
a
favorite
of
Hollywood
stars
in
the
1930s.
Unlike
busy,
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐45
bustling
Palm
Springs,
the
La
Quinta
Hotel
was
considered
a
tranquil
getaway
for
the
discriminating
visitor,
and
it
attracted
both
celebrities
and
industrialists.
In
the
1930s,
Harry
Kiener
subdivided
the
Cove
neighborhood
and
marketed
adobe
cottages
as
“weekend
homes,”
marking
the
birth
of
the
first
residential
community
in
the
area
to
later
become
known
as
La
Quinta.
Following
World
War
II,
La
Quinta
and
the
Valley
continued
to
grow,
and
by
1982,
when
the
City
incorporated,
it
had
a
population
of
3,328
people.
Known
Prehistoric
&
Historic
Resources
in
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
The
City’s
location
in
and
around
ancient
Lake
Cahuilla
has
resulted
in
a
concentration
of
prehistoric
resources.
As
shown
in
Exhibit
III-‐4,
about
60%
of
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
have
been
surveyed
for
archaeological
resources,
yielding
over
500
recorded
archaeological
sites.
At
the
shoreline
of
ancient
Lake
Cahuilla,
which
is
believed
to
have
occurred
at
42
feet
above
sea
level,
a
concentration
of
pottery,
grinding
stones,
burned
animal
bones
and
other
remains
point
to
a
relatively
dense
population
of
native
peoples.
Sites
within
the
City
have
been
identified
as
being
from
1600
to
2300
years
ago.
Older
sites
have
been
identified
immediately
west
of
the
City
and
its
Sphere,
and
date
to
about
2700
years
ago.
In
addition
to
a
survey
of
historic
sites
by
the
County
of
Riverside
in
the
1980s,
the
City
first
undertook
its
own
survey
in
1996-‐1997.
The
resulting
inventory
listed
90
properties
of
historic
importance,
primarily
consisting
of
buildings
and
including
a
segment
of
the
original
Coachella
Canal.
The
La
Quinta
Hotel,
its
casitas
and
La
Casa
were
identified
as
eligible
for
listing
on
the
National
Register
of
Historic
Places,
along
with
other
locations
eligible
for
listing
on
the
State
Historic
Register.
The
City’s
survey
also
identified
the
Cove
(bounded
by
Calle
Tampico
on
the
north,
Avenida
Bermudas
on
the
east,
Calle
Tecate
on
the
south
and
Avenida
Montezuma
and
Bear
Creek
on
the
west)
as
a
potential
historic
district
eligible
for
local
designation.
An
update
to
the
City’s
survey
was
conducted
in
2006,
resulting
in
the
addition
of
183
buildings
to
the
California
Historical
Resources
Inventory,
bringing
the
total
to
280.
The
majority
of
these
are
single
family
homes
dating
mostly
to
the
1930s
and
1940s.
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐46
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PAGE
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CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐48
PAGE
NUMBER
SPACER
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DOC
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐49
Cultural
Resource
Areas
of
Sensitivity
The
large
number
of
resources
identified
to
date
in
the
City
and
its
Sphere
confirm
the
area’s
significance
for
Native
American
resources
and
historic
buildings
significant
to
the
area’s
early
development.
Areas
currently
in
agriculture
in
the
Sphere
of
Influence
cannot
be
discounted.
The
relatively
shallow
depth
at
which
agricultural
activities
occur
makes
it
possible
for
buried
resources
to
survive.
City
Programs
Relating
to
Cultural
Resources
The
City
adopted
a
Historic
Preservation
Ordinance
in
1991,
codified
in
Title
7
of
the
Municipal
Code.
The
ordinance
establishes
a
Historic
Preservation
Commission
to
advise
the
City
Council
on
matters
relating
to
archaeological
and
historic
resources,
and
a
historic
resources
inventory
and
designation
procedures.
In
1995,
the
City
became
a
Certified
Local
Government
under
the
State’s
enabling
legislation.
Under
this
program,
the
City
has
established
guidelines
and
standards
regarding
the
qualifications
of
archaeological
consultants,
and
implemented
programs
allowing
for
the
transfer
of
development
rights
and
the
use
of
the
State
Historic
Building
Code.
The
City
also
opened
its
museum,
located
on
Avenida
Montezuma
at
the
base
of
the
Cove.
It
provides
a
repository
for
a
number
of
historic
and
Native
American
resources
found
in
the
City,
as
well
as
exhibits
which
chronicle
the
development
of
La
Quinta
over
the
years.
Paleontological
Context
Paleontological
resources
are
the
fossilized
remains
of
ancient
plants
and
animals.
They
occur
in
older
soils
which
have
been
deposited
in
the
Valley
over
millions
of
years.
About
4
million
years
ago,
the
Salton
Trough,
in
which
the
Coachella
Valley
is
located,
was
part
of
the
Gulf
of
California,
and
extended
as
far
as
the
Painted
Hills,
northeast
of
the
current
City
of
Palm
Springs.
Eventually,
the
Salton
Trough
was
cut
off
from
the
Gulf
of
California
by
the
delta
of
the
Colorado
River.
Ancient
Lake
Cahuilla,
which
occurred
over
a
much
larger
area
than
the
current
Salton
Sea,
resulted
from
flooding
of
the
Colorado
River
and
receded
a
number
of
times.
This
process
left
behind
sediments
which
have
the
potential
to
have
buried
plant
and
animal
remains,
some
of
which
became
fossilized
over
time.
Freshwater
shells
from
the
last
stand
of
the
Lake
in
the
17th
century
are
found
on
the
surface
of
land
in
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
today.
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐50
In
general,
fossils
occur
in
soils
which
are
at
least
10,000
years
old,
referred
to
as
the
late
Pleistocene
Epoch.
Five
soil
units
have
been
identified
in
the
City
and
its
Sphere,
as
shown
in
Exhibit
III-‐5.
Mesozoic
Granitic
Rock
occurs
in
the
foothills
on
the
south
and
west
edges
of
the
City.
Granitic
Rock
has
a
low
potential
to
contain
paleontological
resources.
Pleistocene
and
Older
Alluvium
occurs
in
the
southwestern
corner
of
the
City,
at
the
base
of
the
Santa
Rosa
foothills.
Fossils
have
been
found
in
these
soils,
but
not
in
the
City
or
its
Sphere.
The
closest
locality
is
in
the
Indio
Hills,
to
the
northeast
of
the
City.
Pleistocene
soils
have
a
high
potential
to
yield
fossil
remains.
Lake
Cahuilla
Beds
occur
in
areas
where
ancient
Lake
Cahuilla
covered
the
Valley
floor.
Because
of
the
multiple
stands
of
the
ancient
lake,
these
soils
can
occur
in
layers,
intermixed
with
other
soils
which
were
blown
into
the
area
when
the
ancient
lake
was
dry.
Lakebed
sediments
have
yielded
freshwater
diatoms,
plants,
sponges,
mollusks,
and
fish,
as
well
as
small
animals.
Although
the
lakebed
soils
are
much
less
than
10,000
years
old,
they
hold
potentially
significant
information
on
the
area’s
early
ecological
history
and
have
a
high
potential
for
paleontological
resources.
Holocene
Alluvium
occurs
in
the
City’s
Cove
area
and
at
the
southernmost
edges
of
the
City.
These
soils
have
been
brought
into
the
area
by
flooding
in
the
mountains
and
are
too
recent
to
hold
fossil
remains.
They
have
a
low
potential
for
paleontological
resources.
Recent
Dune
Sand
occurs
north
of
Avenue
50
in
the
City.
This
soil
has
been
blown
into
the
area
by
regional
winds
and
recently
deposited.
Dune
Sand
varies
in
depth
and
could
overlay
older
alluvium
at
depth.
Because
of
its
recent
transport
into
the
area,
Dune
Sand
has
a
low
potential
for
paleontological
resources.
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐52
PLANNING
FOR
THE
FUTURE
The
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
have
a
rich
and
varied
history.
Many
cultural
resources,
including
prehistoric,
historic
and
paleontological
resources,
have
been
catalogued
in
the
area.
The
City
has
demonstrated
its
commitment
to
its
history
through
the
establishment
of
its
Certified
Local
Government
program
and
the
opening
of
its
museum.
As
development
in
the
City
and
its
Sphere
continues
to
occur,
it
has
the
potential
to
impact
cultural
resources
which
have
not
yet
been
identified.
Further,
as
the
City
grows,
it
must
continue
to
reflect
on
the
importance
of
its
history
and
its
preservation
to
assure
that
these
resources,
which
ultimately
cannot
be
renewed,
are
not
lost
to
future
generations.
GOALS,
POLICIES
AND
PROGRAMS
GOAL
CUL-‐1
The
protection
of
significant
archaeological,
historic
and
paleontological
resources
which
occur
in
the
City.
Policy
CUL-‐1.1
All
reasonable
efforts
should
be
made
to
identify
archaeological
and
historic
resources
in
the
City.
Program
CUL-‐1.1.a:
Any
development
application
for
a
vacant
site,
or
a
site
previously
or
currently
used
for
agricultural
purposes,
shall
be
accompanied
by
a
Phase
I
archaeological
and/or
historic
analysis
conducted
by
a
qualified
archaeologist.
Such
analysis
shall
be
paid
for
by
the
project
proponent.
Program
CUL-‐1.1.b:
City
staff
will
maintain
open
channels
of
consultation
with
local
Native
American
tribes,
the
Eastern
Information
Center
at
the
University
of
California,
Riverside,
the
Historical
Society,
and
the
Coachella
Valley
History
Museum.
Program
CUL-‐1.1.c:
City
staff
shall
maintain
a
database
of
known
prehistoric
and
historic
resources
in
the
City.
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐53
Program
CUL-‐1.1.d:
The
City
shall
update
its
historic
inventory
at
a
minimum
of
every
10
years,
subject
to
available
funding.
Policy
CUL-‐1.2
Assure
that
significant
identified
archaeological
and
historic
resources
are
protected.
Program
CUL-‐1.2.a:
The
City
will
be
proactive
in
the
protection
of
archaeological
and
historic
resources
in
City-‐sponsored
or
assisted
projects
and
programs.
Program
CUL-‐1.2.b:
Consider
the
use
of
all
potential
sources
of
funding
for
archaeological
and
historic
resource
preservation
funding,
including
regional,
state
and
federal
funds.
Program
CUL-‐1.2.c:
Encourage
owners
of
qualified
historic
buildings
to
take
advantage
of
tax
credits
and
other
programs
for
the
preservation
and
restoration
of
historic
structures.
Program
CUL-‐1.2.d:
Continue
to
implement
the
Historic
Preservation
Ordinance.
Policy
CUL-‐1.3
Educate
the
public
about
the
City’s
history
and
paleontology.
Program
CUL-‐1.3.a:
Encourage
property
owners
and
others
to
nominate
qualified
properties
to
the
City’s
historic
inventory.
Program
CUL-‐1.3.b:
Continue
to
support
efforts
at
curation
and
exhibition
of
the
City’s
history.
Program
CUL-‐1.3.c:
Consider
expanding
collections
to
include
paleontological
resources.
Program
CUL-‐1.3.d:
Encourage
the
Desert
Sands
and
Coachella
Unified
School
Districts
to
include
local
history
and
paleontology
in
their
curricula.
Program
CUL-‐1.3.e:
Support
efforts
by
local
tribes
to
expand
the
knowledge
of
tribal
history
in
the
community.
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐54
Policy
CUL-‐1.4
Make
all
reasonable
efforts
to
identify
paleontological
resources
in
the
City.
Program
CUL-‐1.4.a:
Any
development
application
for
a
vacant
site
located
on
soils
identified
as
Lake
Cahuilla
Beds
or
Pleistocene
shall
be
accompanied
by
a
Phase
I
paleontological
analysis
conducted
by
a
qualified
geologist
or
paleontologist.
Program
CUL-‐1.4.b:
As
part
of
the
geotechnical
analysis
conducted
for
grading
and
building
permits,
soil
borings
shall
be
examined
by
a
qualified
geologist
or
paleontologist
to
assure
that
no
Pleistocene
or
older
soils
occur
at
depth
in
areas
to
be
excavated.
Monitoring
shall
be
required
if
Pleistocene
or
older
soils
will
be
impacted
by
excavations.
Policy
CUL-‐1.5
All
reasonable
efforts
should
be
made
to
preserve
paleontological
resources
in
the
City.
Program
CUL-‐1.5.a:
Significant
paleontological
resources
identified
on
a
site
shall
be
professionally
collected,
catalogued
and
deposited
with
a
recognized
repository.
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
III-‐55
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WATER
RESOURCES
III-‐57
WATER
RESOURCES
PURPOSE
The
Water
Resources
Element
describes
water
supply
management
in
the
region
and
the
City.
It
is
important
to
note
that
the
aquifer
that
supplies
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
is
shared
with
the
other
communities
of
the
Coachella
Valley.
In
order
to
assure
that
everyone
in
the
region
has
sufficient
water,
it
is
important
that
La
Quinta,
as
one
of
the
stewards
of
the
local
water
supply,
manages
and
conserves
this
important
resource.
When
describing
water
resources,
this
Element
addresses
both
the
amount
of
water
available
for
use
in
the
City’s
homes
and
businesses
and
the
quality
of
that
water.
Water
supplies
in
the
City
are
managed
by
the
Coachella
Valley
Water
District,
with
which
the
City
has
had
a
long
and
successful
relationship.
The
City’s
goals,
policies
and
programs
relating
to
water
resource
management
are
important
to
the
District’s
continued
ability
to
provide
domestic
water
to
new
and
existing
development
in
the
City
and
the
Sphere
of
Influence.
Government
Code
65302(d)
requires
that
all
General
Plans
include
a
conservation
component
to
assure
the
preservation
of
a
number
of
resources.
This
Water
Resources
Element
addresses
one
of
these
components.
Other
elements
which
relate
to
water
resources
include
the
Biological
Resources,
Land
Use,
Livable
Community,
and
Flooding
and
Hydrology
Elements.
BACKGROUND
Most
domestic
water
–
water
used
in
homes
and
businesses
–
is
pumped
from
an
under-‐ground
aquifer,
or
series
of
aquifers,
which
occur
below
most
of
the
Coachella
Valley.
The
aquifer
is
not
continuous
–
earthquake
faults,
rock
barriers,
and
other
naturally
occurring
breaks
create
barriers
between
the
sub-‐basins.
WATER
RESOURCES
III-‐58
The
Whitewater
River
sub-‐basin
is
the
Coachella
Valley’s
aquifer.
It
extends
from
Palm
Springs
to
the
Salton
Sea,
and
is
subdivided
into
a
number
of
subareas.
Water
in
the
aquifer
flows
from
the
northwest
to
the
southeast.
The
Lower
Thermal
subarea
occurs
under
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence,
and
provides
it
with
its
primary
source
of
domestic
water.
The
subarea’s
water
supply
occurs
at
depths
of
300
to
600
feet
below
the
surface,
and
may
extend
to
a
depth
of
1,000
feet.
The
Upper
and
Lower
Thermal
subareas
together
are
estimated
to
contain
19.4
million
acre-‐feet
of
water
(1
acre-‐foot
is
equal
to
324,829
gallons).
The
sub-‐basin
is
illustrated
in
Exhibit
III-‐6.
The
Coachella
Valley
Water
District
(CVWD)
is
responsible
for
providing
domestic
and
irrigation
water
to
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence.
All
domestic
water
is
extracted
from
the
aquifer
through
a
system
of
wells,
which
CVWD
operates
throughout
its
District.
In
addition,
CVWD
imports
water
from
the
Colorado
River,
which
is
used
to
recharge
the
aquifer.
There
are
three
recharge
facilities
in
the
Valley:
one
located
northwest
of
Palm
Springs,
one
located
southeast
of
La
Quinta,
in
Martinez
Canyon;
and
one
located
in
La
Quinta,
south
of
Avenue
58,
and
west
of
Madison
Street.
A
detailed
description
of
the
geology
and
capacity
of
the
regional
aquifer
is
included
in
the
General
Plan
Environmental
Impact
Report.
Water
Demand
Continued
growth
in
the
City
and
the
region
has
resulted
in
an
increased
demand
for
domestic
water.
As
a
result,
CVWD
extracts
more
water
from
the
Lower
Thermal
subarea
than
is
naturally
recharged
into
it
every
year
–
a
condition
known
as
overdraft.
The
subarea
has
been
in
overdraft
since
the
1980s,
prompting
CVWD
to
expand
its
recharge
facilities
and
conservation
efforts.
In
2009,
approximately
160,000
acre
feet
of
water
were
pumped
from
the
Lower
Thermal
subarea,
which
represents
a
decrease
in
water
production
over
1999
figures,
which
stood
at
168,300
acre
feet.
CVWD
also
estimates
that
natural
recharge,
groundwater
recharge
programs
and
similar
programs
returned
all
but
23,912
acre
feet
to
the
aquifer
–
resulting
in
an
overdraft
condition.
Although
CVWD
has
steadily
increased
its
recharge
of
the
groundwater
basin
(from
1,813
acre-‐feet
in
2000
to
21,735
acre-‐feet
in
2009),
drought
conditions
and
increased
demand
have
made
it
impossible
for
the
District
to
maintain
a
positive
recharge.
CVWD
plans
to
increase
recharge
efforts
as
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
continue
to
develop.
However,
increased
development
will
contribute
to
greater
demand
for
water
resources
and
the
potential
for
continued
overdraft.
WATER
RESOURCES
III-‐60
Water
Conservation
A
more
effective
manner
to
reduce
overdraft
in
the
aquifer
is
through
water
conservation.
The
City
and
CVWD
have
implemented
a
number
of
conservation
programs
in
recent
years
which
have
reduced
consumption
of
domestic
water.
It
is
critical
that
these
programs
continue
and
expand,
as
possible,
through
build
out
of
the
General
Plan.
Domestic
water
used
in
homes
and
businesses
is
sent
to
wastewater
treatment
plants
operated
by
CVWD.
A
portion
of
the
domestic
water
used
for
irrigation
is
returned
to
the
aquifer
when
it
penetrates
the
soil
and
percolates
back
to
its
source.
However,
irrigation
of
landscaping
is
the
largest
consumer
of
water
in
most
homes,
and
has
the
most
inefficient
return
to
the
water
table.
The
reuse
of
water
used
in
homes
for
irrigation
can,
therefore,
be
an
efficient
conservation
method.
CVWD
has
two
wastewater
treatment
plants
serving
the
City,
but
only
the
plant
which
serves
the
area
north
of
Miles
Avenue
currently
has
the
ability
to
generate
tertiary
treated
water
(reclaimed
water
which
can
be
used
for
irrigation,
but
is
not
potable).
That
plant
has
a
capacity
of
2.5
million
gallons
per
day
and
an
expansion
potential
to
7.5
million
gallons
per
day.
In
the
long
term,
the
expansion
of
tertiary
treated
water
facilities
to
serve
irrigation
needs
throughout
the
City
and
its
Sphere
will
be
critical
to
water
conservation
efforts.
The
City
has
also
implemented
water
conservation
measures
in
landscaping
maintenance.
Chapter
8.13
of
the
Municipal
Code,
Water
Efficient
Landscaping,
provides
detailed
requirements
for
water
conservation
in
landscaping
of
new
and
existing
projects.
In
addition,
Building
Code
requirements
provide
for
the
use
of
water-‐efficient
fixtures
in
new
homes
or
businesses,
or
those
which
are
undergoing
major
remodeling.
These
requirements
extend
to
water
features,
fountains
and
lakes
within
projects,
which
can
be
a
significant
source
of
water
loss,
particularly
due
to
the
evaporation
which
occurs
in
the
City’s
desert
environment.
The
City
has
also
partnered
with
CVWD
in
conservation
programs
and
plans
to
continue
such
programs.
They
have
included
“smart
controllers”
for
landscaping
irrigation
in
the
past,
and
may
include
other
conservation
efforts
as
new
technology
develops.
CVWD
holds
seminars
and
workshops
relating
to
water
conservation
for
homeowners
and
landscape
professionals,
and
offers
rebates
and
discounts
for
the
installation
of
drought
tolerant
landscaping,
water
WATER
RESOURCES
III-‐61
efficient
sprinklers,
and
smart
controller
systems.
The
District
also
publishes
a
number
of
brochures
on
water
conservation,
which
are
available
to
the
public.
Sustainability
of
Water
Resources
CVWD’s
Urban
Water
Management
Plan
sets
forth
a
number
of
demand
management
measures
intended
to
achieve
water
conservation
goals
and
assure
that
water
supplies
are
managed
for
long-‐term
use.
As
part
of
the
overall
management
strategy
employed
by
CVWD,
conjunctive
use
management
will
assure
that
water
supplies
are
sustainable.
While
the
District
is
responsible
for
large-‐scale
groundwater
recharge
efforts,
the
City
of
La
Quinta
recognizes
that
land
use
development
patterns,
lot
coverage,
and
stormwater
runoff
within
the
planning
area
contribute
to
regional
water
conditions.
The
City
has
developed
goals,
policies,
and
programs
that
aim
to
achieve
water
use
efficiency
for
all
applications
(indoor
use
and
irrigation),
support
expansion
of
recycled
water
infrastructure
and
use,
and
prevent
contamination
of
water
supplies
through
the
use
of
best
management
practices
and
control
measures,
such
as
those
specific
to
the
NPDES
and
SWPPP
(see
below).
These
City
efforts,
as
well
as
ongoing
coordination
with
CVWD,
will
facilitate
the
responsible
and
sustainable
use
of
water
resources.
Surface
Water
The
City
is
subject
to
short
duration
rainfall
events
which
can
generate
significant
amounts
of
surface
water.
This
water
source
can
be
used
to
recharge
the
aquifer
through
the
installation
of
stormwater
retention
basins
on
development
projects.
The
City
requires
that
all
projects
contain
and
control
the
rain
water
which
flows
through
a
developed
site,
most
commonly
through
the
installation
of
retention
basins.
These
basins
are
usually
landscaped
and
allow
stormwater
to
percolate
into
the
ground.
Although
stormwater
retention
will
never
represent
a
significant
increase
in
aquifer
recharge
because
of
the
limited
amount
of
rain
which
falls
in
the
City,
it
will
continue
to
provide
some
increase
in
annual
recharge
efforts.
Storm
water
which
travels
over
built
surfaces,
such
as
parking
lots
and
building
rooftops,
has
the
potential
to
be
contaminated
by
oils,
solvents,
and
chemicals.
The
City
implements
the
requirements
of
the
National
Pollution
Discharge
Elimination
System
(NPDES)
to
assure
that
stormwaters
are
protected
from
pollutants.
The
City’s
NPDES
permits
include:
1)
Storm
Water
Pollution
Prevention
Plans
(SWPPP),
and
2)
Water
Quality
Management
Plans
(WQMP),
which
are
engineering
plans
that
must
be
submitted
and
approved
by
the
Public
WATER
RESOURCES
III-‐62
Works
Department
prior
to
construction.
These
plans
identify
the
specific
measures,
or
Best
Management
Practices,
that
will
be
taken
by
the
developer
to
prevent
storm
water
pollution
before,
during,
and
after
construction.
A
complete
discussion
of
stormwater
and
stormwater
pollution
prevention
is
included
in
the
Flooding
and
Hydrology
Element.
PLANNING
FOR
THE
FUTURE
The
build
out
of
the
City
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
could
add
more
than
53,000
housing
units
and
almost
13
million
square
feet
of
commercial
and
industrial
space
to
the
area.
All
new
development
will
require
domestic
water
for
interior
use
and
landscaping
irrigation
and
will
increase
the
demand
on
limited
water
resources.
The
City
has
already
implemented
water
conservation
efforts
and
will
need
to
continue
and
expand
these
efforts
to
protect
its
water
resources.
GOALS,
POLICIES
AND
PROGRAMS
GOAL
WR-‐1
The
efficient
use
and
conservation
of
the
City’s
water
resources.
Policy
WR-‐1.1
Support
the
Coachella
Valley
Water
District
in
its
efforts
to
supply
adequate
domestic
water
to
residents
and
businesses.
Program
WR-‐1.1.a:
The
City
shall
continue
to
implement
its
Water
Efficient
Landscaping
Ordinance
and
Building
Codes,
and
update
them
as
needed
to
meet
or
exceed
State
standards
for
water
efficiency
and
conservation.
Program
WR-‐1.1.b:
Continue
to
work
with
CVWD
to
implement
independent
and
joint
programs,
rebates,
and
discounts
that
promote
water
conservation,
subject
to
available
funding.
Policy
WR-‐1.2
Support
the
Coachella
Valley
Water
District
in
its
efforts
to
recharge
the
aquifer.
Program
WR-‐1.2.a:
Support
CVWD’s
efforts
to
increase
recharge
at
its
La
Quinta
facility
and
elsewhere
in
its
district.
WATER
RESOURCES
III-‐63
Program
WR-‐1.2.b:
Work
with
CVWD
to
implement
new
or
improved
recharging
techniques
in
golf
course
and
lake
design,
turf
and
agricultural
irrigation
methods,
and
the
use
of
tertiary
treated
water
for
irrigation
and
other
uses.
Policy
WR-‐1.3
Support
the
Coachella
Valley
Water
District
in
its
efforts
to
expand
tertiary
treated
(i.e.
reclaimed)
water
distribution.
Program
WR-‐1.3.a:
Work
with
CVWD
to
provide
tertiary
treated
water
for
future
recreational
facilities
and
landscaping
irrigation
to
the
greatest
extent
possible.
Policy
WR-‐1.4
Protect
stormwater
from
pollution
and
encourage
its
use
to
recharge
the
aquifer.
Program
WR-‐1.4.a:
Implement
federal,
regional
and
local
standards
pertaining
to
the
discharge
and
treatment
of
pollutants
in
surface
water
for
all
development
projects.
Program
WR-‐1.4.b:
Coordinate
with
CVWD
in
its
review
of
projects
which
impact
drainage
channels.
Program
WR-‐1.4.c:
Require
on-‐site
retention
for
new
development
projects
to
the
greatest
extent
possible,
to
provide
added
recharge
of
the
aquifer.
Policy
WR-‐1.5
Development
within
drainage
areas
and
stormwater
facilities
shall
be
limited
to
recreational
uses
such
as
golf
courses,
lakes,
sports
or
play
fields
and
similar
uses.
Policy
WR-‐1.6
Encourage
the
use
of
permeable
pavements
in
residential
and
commercial
development
projects.
WATER
RESOURCES
III-‐64
RELATED
GOALS
As
described
above,
this
Element
relates
to
others
in
this
General
Plan.
The
following
goals
and
their
associated
policies
and
programs
are
closely
related
to
those
of
this
Element.
GOAL
UTL-‐1:
Domestic
water
facilities
and
services
which
adequately
serve
the
existing
and
long-‐term
needs
of
the
City.
GOAL
FH-‐1:
Protection
of
the
health,
safety
and
welfare
of
the
community
from
flooding
and
hydrological
hazards.
WATER
RESOURCES
III-‐65
THIS
PAGE
INTENTIONALLY
LEFT
BLANK
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
III-‐67
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
PURPOSE
Some
of
La
Quinta’s
greatest
assets
are
its
scenic
mountain
vistas
and
wilderness
areas.
The
Open
Space
Element
helps
to
protect
these
and
other
assets
by
designating
policies
and
programs
for
their
management
and
conservation.
These
policies
and
programs
are
designed
to
discourage
the
premature
or
inappropriate
conversion
of
open
space
land
to
more
intense
land
uses.
They
are
intended
to
assure
the
long-‐term
viability
of
open
space
lands
for
resource
conservation,
public
health
and
safety,
recreation,
and
scenic
enjoyment.
Government
Code
Section
65560(b)
defines
open
space
as
“any
parcel
or
area
of
land
or
water
which
is
essentially
unimproved
and
devoted
to
an
open-‐space
use.”
These
lands
typically
include
rivers,
streams,
managed
agricultural
lands,
mineral
resources,
parks
and
recreational
lands,
and
lands
dedicated
for
the
preservation
of
biological
or
other
natural
resources.
Government
Code
Section
65302(d)
requires
that
General
Plans
include
elements
which
address
resource
conservation
and
designate
lands
for
preservation.
Government
Code
Section
65566,
also
referred
to
as
the
Open
Space
Lands
Act,
requires
local
governments
to
prepare
open
space
plans
before
adopting
open
space
zoning
ordinances.
This
helps
to
assure
that
open
space
zoning
regulations
are
consistent
with
open
space
plans.
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
III-‐68
BACKGROUND
Because
the
Open
Space
Element
addresses
a
broad
range
of
issues,
its
policies
and
programs
are
interwoven
with
many
other
General
Plan
elements,
including
Sustainability,
Land
Use,
Parks
and
Recreation,
Circulation,
Biological
Resources,
and
Environmental
Hazards.
In
addition,
the
Open
Space
Element
complements
the
Coachella
Valley
Multi-‐Species
Habitat
Conservation
Plan
(MSHCP)
by
providing
protection
for
lands
which
may
be
identified
as
containing
important
wildlife
habitat.
Open
Space
Resources
Undeveloped
open
space
areas
located
along
the
Santa
Rosa
and
San
Jacinto
Mountains
and
their
foothills
constitute
about
half
of
the
valuable
biological,
recreational,
and
scenic
resources
enjoyed
by
residents
and
visitors
in
the
City
of
La
Quinta,
with
the
remainder
generally
consisting
of
the
City’s
storm
water
management
system,
public
and
private
golf
courses,
public
parks,
and
related
areas.
Approximately
19.1
square
miles
of
open
space
land
are
identified
within
the
General
Plan
Land
Use
Map.
!"#$%&"'(#%)'$*%+,#,%-$%)'%./-$0'1%-$%2(3#,
456
476
8696
:'0#3%;%<=>>*"='-$
?'0/3'=%!"#$%&"'(#
@>=A%B>/3,#
C'3D,%'$*%E#(3#'0->$
Open
Space
for
the
Preservation
of
Natural
Resources
About
half
of
the
lands
dedicated
for
open
space
in
La
Quinta
have
been
set
aside
for
the
preservation
of
natural
resources.
Most
of
this
area
is
located
within
the
Santa
Rosa
and
San
Jacinto
Conservation
Area,
is
protected
through
a
deed
restriction,
or
has
development
limitations
under
the
MSHCP.
About
84%
of
the
City’s
General
Plan
area
located
within
the
MSHCP
conservation
boundary
is
currently
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
III-‐69
designated
as
open
space,
with
the
remainder
identified
as
low
density
residential.8
In
the
southwestern
portion
of
La
Quinta,
the
Coachella
Valley
Multi-‐
Species
Habitat
Conservation
Plan
(MSHCP)
has
identified
most
of
the
Low
Density
Residential
parcels
located
within
Section
5,
Township
7S,
Range
7E
for
preservation
and
habitat
acquisition.
This
undeveloped
section
of
the
City,
which
contains
the
only
residentially-‐designated
lands
located
within
the
MSHCP
conservation
boundary,
generally
consists
of
Sonoran
Creosote
Bush
Scrub
and
provides
valuable
habitat
for
special
status
species,
such
as
Burrowing
Owl
and
Peninsular
Bighorn
Sheep,
as
identified
in
the
Biological
Resources
Element.
The
MSHCP
permits
these
lands,
if
not
acquired
by
a
conservation
agency,
to
develop
up
to
10%,
while
the
balance
of
the
parcel
must
be
preserved
in
its
natural
condition.9
Approximately
105
acres
of
land
within
Section
5
has
been
acquired
for
the
preservation
of
natural
resources
by
local
and
state
conservation
agencies.
Open
Space
for
the
Managed
Production
of
Resources
La
Quinta’s
open
space
element
also
designates
lands
for
the
managed
production
of
resources.
The
Sphere
of
Influence
primarily
contains
agricultural
lands
and
has
the
potential
for
additional
properties
to
be
set
aside
in
the
future
for
the
managed
production
of
resources.
Approximately
582
acres
of
land,
all
located
within
the
City’s
Sphere
of
Influence,
have
been
set
aside
for
farmland
conservation
under
the
Williamson
Act
provisions.
Officially
titled
the
California
Land
Conservation
Act
of
1965,
the
Williamson
Act
provides
property
tax
relief
to
owners
of
farmland
and
open-‐space
land
in
exchange
for
a
ten-‐year
agreement
that
the
land
will
not
be
developed
or
otherwise
converted
to
another
use.
There
are
no
active
or
permitted
quarries
identified
within
the
General
Plan
area.
8
CVMSHCP,
Table
4-‐110.
9
CVMSHCP
Vol.1
Sec.
4,
p.4-‐154.
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
III-‐70
Open
Space
for
Recreation
The
remaining
areas
in
the
City
generally
consist
of
land
set
aside
for
Recreational
Open
Space,
such
as
City
and
regional
parks
and
golf
courses.
The
City
of
La
Quinta
operates
11
parks
and
shares
two
sports
facilities
with
Desert
Sands
Unified
School
District.
The
City
also
contains
two
regional
parks.
The
6.5
acre
La
Quinta
Community
Park,
located
in
the
Village,
is
managed
by
the
Desert
Recreational
District,
while
the
710
acre
Lake
Cahuilla
Regional
Park,
located
in
the
southern
portion
of
the
City,
is
managed
by
the
Riverside
County
Parks
Department.
In
addition
to
these
larger
parks,
small
“pocket
parks”
are
located
throughout
the
City,
within
individual
subdivisions.
In
addition
to
City
Parks,
the
City
of
La
Quinta
holds
146.7
acres
of
open
space
land
dedicated
for
the
joint
purpose
of
conservation
and
recreation.
These
areas
include
the
27.9
acre
Fred
Wolff
Bear
Creek
Nature
Preserve,
the
114
acre
Cove
Oasis
Trailhead,
and
the
4.75
acre
Bear
Creek
Trail.
These
areas
provide
an
urban
buffer
and
a
trail
connection
between
the
City
and
the
Santa
Rosa
and
San
Jacinto
National
Monument.
As
La
Quinta
is
a
well-‐known
golfing
destination,
there
are
23
public
and
private
golf
courses
located
within
the
City,
most
of
which
are
located
within
residential
areas.
La
Quinta
has
one
municipal
golf
course,
SilverRock
Resort,
and
another
seven
private
golf
courses
available
for
public
play.
All
golf
courses
are
identified
as
open
space
in
the
General
Plan’s
land
use
map.
Open
Space
for
Public
Health
and
Safety
Due
to
La
Quinta’s
geographical
setting
at
the
foot
of
the
Santa
Rosa
and
San
Jacinto
Mountains,
some
properties
are
undevelopable
due
to
engineering
and
safety
limitations,
or
have
been
designated
for
the
purposes
of
flood
control
and
storm
water
conveyance.
These
lands
have
been
set
aside
as
open
space
dedicated
to
protect
public
health
and
safety.
Table
III-‐4
La
Quinta
City
and
Regional
Parks
Park Acreage
Adams
Park
3.5
Civic
Center
Campus
17.5
Desert
Pride
Park
1
Eisenhower
Park
0.5
Fritz
Burns
Park
12
La
Quinta
Park
18
Monticello
Park
4
Saguaro
Park
.75
Season’s
Park
5
Velasco
Park
.25
Pioneer
Park
2
Lake
Cahuilla
County
Park
710
La
Quinta
Community
Park
6.5
Total
Park
Acreage
781
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
III-‐71
All
lands
having
a
twenty
percent
slope
or
greater
have
been
designated
as
open
space
in
order
to
protect
the
public
from
hazards
associated
with
hillside
development,
including
seismic
activity,
landslides,
flooding,
inaccessibility
for
fire
and
emergency
services,
lack
of
water
for
fire
control,
wildfires,
collapse
of
roads
and
similar
risks.
About
6%
of
the
open
space
lands
designated
within
La
Quinta
have
specifically
been
dedicated
for
purposes
of
flood
control
and
water.
These
areas
are
connected
to
a
regional
conveyance
system
managed
by
the
Coachella
Valley
Water
District,
and
include
the
Coachella
Valley
Stormwater
Channel,
the
La
Quinta
Evacuation
Channel,
the
All-‐
American
Canal,
the
Upper
Bear
Creek
Drainage
System,
the
Lake
Cahuilla
Reservoir,
and
the
East
La
Quinta
Channel.
PLANNING
FOR
THE
FUTURE
The
General
Plan
land
use
map
is
anticipated
to
result
in
a
potential
build-‐out
population
of
about
134,352
in
the
City
and
its
sphere
of
influence.
The
General
Plan
accommodates
this
growth
by
identifying
12,193
acres
(19.1
square
miles)
of
total
open
space
lands.
Open
Space
lands
are
divided
into
two
categories
on
the
General
Plan
land
use
map,
Recreational
Open
Space
and
Natural
Open
Space.
Recreational
Open
Space
consists
of
public
parks
and
golf
courses,
while
Natural
Open
Space
consists
of
wilderness
and
natural
resources
and
water
and
flood
control
facilities.
Thoughtful
implementation
of
the
General
Plan,
Zoning
Ordinance
and
other
regulatory
mechanisms
will
be
required
to
assure
the
long-‐term
preservation
of
open
spaces.
The
City
and
other
conservation
organizations
can
play
an
important
role
in
acquiring
federal
and
state
grants
and
other
funding
mechanisms
for
the
purchase
of
conservation
easements
and/or
fee
simple
land
ownership
interests.
The
City
also
has
the
opportunity
to
encourage
residents
and
other
agencies
to
become
involved
in
open
space
preservation.
On-‐going
efforts
between
the
City,
Coachella
Valley
Association
of
Governments
(CVAG),
Bureau
of
Land
Management,
National
Forest
Service,
adjoining
communities,
and
private
entities
are
necessary
for
the
continued
conservation
of
local
and
regional
open
space
resources.
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
III-‐72
GOALS,
POLICIES
AND
PROGRAMS
GOAL
OS-‐1
Preservation,
conservation
and
management
of
the
City’s
open
space
lands
and
scenic
resources
for
enhanced
recreational,
environmental
and
economic
purposes.
Policy
OS-‐1.1
Identify
and
map
lands
suitable
for
preservation
as
passive
and
active
open
space.
Program
OS-‐1.1.a:
Identify
lands
suitable
for
preservation
as
natural
open
space
on
the
General
Plan
Land
Use
map.
Program
OS-‐1.1.b:
Confer
with
adjoining
communities
and
other
responsible
agencies
to
periodically
review
and
update
information
on
regional
open
space,
and
to
coordinate
preservation
efforts.
Policy
OS-‐1.2
Continue
to
develop
a
comprehensive
multi-‐purpose
trails
network
to
link
open
space
areas.
Program
OS-‐1.2.a:
Coordinate
with,
and
obtain
approval
from,
local
utility
providers,
including
the
Coachella
Valley
Water
District,
to
use
flood
control
and
utility
easements
as
a
trails
network
which
links
open
space
and
recreation
areas.
Program
OS-‐1.2.b:
Continue
to
coordinate
with
neighboring
communities
and
other
appropriate
agencies
in
developing
local
and
regional
trail
connections
across
open
space
lands.
Program
OS-‐1.2.c:
Explore
opportunities
for
additional
trails
connectivity
adjacent
to
and
along
watercourses,
irrigation
canals,
and
flood
control
improvements
Policy
OS-‐1.3
The
City
shall
encourage
community
involvement
and
volunteerism
in
open
space
maintenance
and
improvement
as
a
means
to
leverage
local
funds,
improve
open
space,
and
increase
public
awareness
of
the
City’s
Open
Space
areas.
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
III-‐73
GOAL
OS-‐2
Good
stewardship
of
natural
open
space
and
preservation
of
open
space
areas.
Policy
OS-‐2.1
Unique
and
valuable
biological
resources
should
be
preserved
as
open
space,
to
the
greatest
extent
practical.
Program
OS-‐2.1.a:
Continue
to
implement
the
Coachella
Valley
Multi-‐Species
Habitat
Conservation
Plan.
Program
OS-‐2.1.b:
In
conjunction
with
the
entitlement
process,
the
City
shall
require
the
preparation
of
a
biological
resource
survey
by
a
qualified
biologist
for
all
development
proposed
within
designated
open
space
land.
Policy
OS-‐2.2
Where
appropriate,
geological
hazard
zones,
including
but
not
limited
to
earthquake
fault
lines,
areas
susceptible
to
liquefaction,
floodways,
and
unstable
slopes
should
be
preserved
as
open
space.
Policy
OS-‐2.3
Encourage
the
preservation
of
open
space
in
privately
owned
development
projects.
Program
OS-‐2.3.a:
Utilize
flexible
development
standards,
density
incentives,
and/or
other
means
to
encourage
the
provision
of
open
space
in
new
planned
developments.
GOAL
OS-‐3
Preservation
of
scenic
resources
as
vital
contributions
to
the
City’s
economic
health
and
overall
quality
of
life.
Policy
OS-‐3.1
To
the
greatest
extent
possible,
prohibit
development
on
lands
designated
as
open
space
which
are
elevated
and
visually
prominent
from
adjacent
developed
areas
or
are
located
within
or
in
close
proximity
to
areas
identified
as
critical
wildlife
habitat.
Program
OS-‐3.1.a:
Continue
to
implement
the
Hillside
Preservation
Ordinance.
OPEN
SPACE
AND
CONSERVATION
III-‐74
Program
OS-‐3.1.b:
Minimize
the
loss
of
open
space
resources.
Policy
OS-‐3.2
Any
development
that
is
permitted
within
areas
designated
as
Open
Space
should
minimize
grading
for
structures
and
access
and
should
be
visually
subordinate
to
and
compatible
with
surrounding
landscape
features.
Policy
OS-‐3.3
Explore
and
utilize
a
variety
of
measures
to
preserve
privately
owned
properties
within
hillside
and
alluvial
fan
areas,
including
private
covenants,
deed
restrictions,
and
land
transfers.
Program
OS-‐3.3.a:
Identify
agencies
and
property
owners
which
hold
fee
simple
title
to
properties
located
in
hillside
and
alluvial
fan
areas,
and
encourage
agreements
which
assure
that
such
lands
remain
undeveloped
in
perpetuity.
RELATED
GOALS
As
described
above,
this
Element
relates
to
others
in
this
General
Plan.
The
following
goals
and
their
associated
policies
and
programs
are
closely
related
to
those
of
this
Element.
GOAL
PR-‐1:
A
comprehensive
system
of
parks,
and
recreation
facilities
and
services
that
meet
the
active
and
passive
needs
of
all
residents
and
visitors.
GOAL
SC-‐1:
A
community
that
provides
the
best
possible
quality
of
life
for
all
its
residents.
GOAL
FH-‐1:
Protection
of
the
health,
safety
and
welfare
of
the
community
from
flooding
and
hydrological
hazards.