2021-08-07 BachliMemo to: Nicole Sauviat Criste, Consulting Planner, City of La Quinta
Copies to: La Quinta City Council
TLQMA: Board of Directors
From: Fritz E. Bachli, Professor / Consultant of Global Economics and Environmental Science
Subject: Coral Mountain Wave Project / Draft EIR / Citizen Comment, Dead-Line: 8/6/2021
Date: August 6, 2021
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The following perspective on the “Wave Project” is based on my educational background in the
field of Environmental Sciences and thirteen years of living experience here at Trilogy. I am not
surprised about the many concerns residents are voicing in opposition to the “Wave Park”?
The City of La Quinta must be concerned about the environmental complaints which are piling
up at the City Hall? Even re-zoning appears not a welcoming answer to accommodate the
“Wave Park!” However, common sense reminds us: “If it’s not a fit – leave it!” It’s surprising
that the Project applicant has not been able to locate a suitable alternative location in our city
or elsewhere?
The purpose of zoning is simple. It is designed to ensure balanced communities. Zoning allows
the government to control development of the land and ensure the public is satisfied with their
community. The Draft EIR claims that improving community health is one of the priorities of city
government in order to sustain life which can be enjoyed by residents? If citizens believe it’s
not a fit – the city hall should listen and not promote it!
Hopefully my contributions will support the NOPs (Notice of Preparation) filed by concerned
citizens.
Following are three key points taken directly from the Draft EIR which are of
major concern to me as a Trilogy Resident?
1. NOISE
-The project will not generate operational noise levels that have any significant impact on any
sensitive receptors including residents in the surrounding communities.
Areas in the vicinity of the planned project are repeatedly defined as “Golf Course and
Residential Communities!” Trilogy, perhaps other communities as well, belong to a category of
housing which is not recognized as such in the Draft EIR? Trilogy with 1238 homes, housing
approx. 2500 residents, existed long before the planned construction of a Wave Park! The City
Council of LQ should recognize that 55+ Communities are the choice for many aging people
who want to focus attention to their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. These adults
enjoy the serenity of quiet neighborhoods. 55+ adults often decide that the value of time is for
elderly individuals the greatest asset that they possess. Disappointing enough, the Draft EIR
does not recognize the needs expressed by residents who selected a 55+ community?
Trilogy residents are accustomed to noise levels of approx. 30 dBA! It will literally be a “bad
awakening” when they must live in an environment where 60 to 80 dBA is defined as the new
normal! (Measuring Instrument: METERK / MK 09 / Sound Level Meter)
2. AIR QUALITY
The National Heart Association classified the Southern Californian Counties as some, if not the
worst, air quality regions in our nation!
-The Wave Park is seven miles of the 1-10 freeway. The site is found outside the designated
“blowsand” area but is still exposed to seasonal wind activities capable of producing fugitive
dust from undeveloped ground conditions?”
The Draft EIR is incomplete without reporting available Health Data documented in the annual
Eisenhower Hospital and Imperial County Health Assessments and Improvement updates? This
is a substantial oversight and a sign of ignorance towards the constituents exposed and
complaining about an ever-increasing air contamination problem in the area?
Fugitive dust readings on my own patio and tests conducted at locations of Trilogy residents
who are hypersensitive to dust and suffering from pulmonary diseases are often exposed to
PM-2.5 particles at a level of 31.0 mg/3 and in terms of PM-10 particles of 110.2 mg/m3.
(Measuring Instrument: Dylos 1700) Such levels can be compared with a very bad “hair day” in
Beijing / China! Elevated PM-10 and PM- 2.5 levels are associated with increases of asthmatic
conditions, increase in Emergency Room visits and increased mortality rates.
Air Quality Standards considered safe and obtained from AQMD are taken from monitoring
stations in Palm Springs 18 miles southeast from the project, the Indio station is 6 miles away
and the distance to Mecca amounts to 11 miles. Air quality is a very local phenomenon and
measurements taken miles away from the project are not representative of the actual situation
as it is occurring at the project site and at individual sites of sensitive receptors.
Special events, four times a year, with a daily expectancy of 2500 “Wave Park” guests,
thousands of visitors per year will unquestionably contribute to a further overload of
environmental conditions for the area right across the street from the Trilogy community!
Mobile measuring devices which provide immediate on-site particle readings are becoming
household items! Some time ago, I demonstrated to an AQMD team from the City Hall of La
Quinta during a visit to the Golf Course Perimeter a slide presentation and test methods I used
to measure PM-10 and PM-2.5 particle loads at the Trilogy community. They were surprised
about the immediate results with handheld high quality measuring devices and the accurate
readings when compared with fixed measuring stations.
-SCAQMD has the legal obligation to enforce air pollution regulations!”
From the moment a legitimate complaint is filed, and actions taken by the AQMD may literally
take weeks, months or even years. Very frustrating process which might have been improved
when compared in previous years?
-LST’s (Localized Significance Threshold) limits were developed in response to environmental
justice and health concerns raised by the public regarding the exposure to individuals to
criteria pollutants in local communities.
Is Trilogy qualifying for such an exemption?
3) WATER
--The Wave Park could result in cumulatively significant impacts to water supplies and
infrastructure if not reviewed by the City and CVWD?
I wish there would be more concrete definition in the (Draft EIR) like this one. An eye opener
for ordinary residents without in depth knowledge in the field of water issues!
A surfer confessed to me that Wave Parks are fun. But pulling ground water especially in the
desert and deleting aquifers is against all common-sense Environmental principles. Such water
is not being used to benefit a society. It’s being used for middle, upper financial elite classes
for leisurely escapism. AKA a vacation while the world burns, farm animals have to be
slottered due to lack of food and water. The greenhouse effect takes its tall!
CONCLUSION/ REASON:
Fugitive Dust from Project Site to Trilogy Dylos Particle Meter / Model 1700
THE PROJECTED WAVE PARK IS NOT A PLANNED COMMUNITY THAT COMPLIMENTS EXISTING
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA AND IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ALREADY
EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL OVERLOAD IN THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.
This Photo by Unknown Author