2021-08-06 Barrows
www.CactusToCloud.org
@CactustoCloud
August 6, 2021
Nicole Sauviat Criste,
Consulting Planner
City of La Quinta
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
Via: consultingplanner@laquinta.gov
Subject: Comments on Coral Mountain Resort Draft EIR SCH #2021020310
Dear Ms. Sauviat Criste,
CactusToCloud values the opportunity to submit comments for the project above referenced, and we
respectfully request you please share our comments with the La Quinta City Council. CactusToCloud is a
group of desert advocates collaborating on community science and environmental education projects in
the Coachella Valley, and our goal is to celebrate and protect our desert home. We represent diverse
backgrounds and life experiences, and we are all UCR-Palm Desert California Naturalists and Climate
Stewards. As it happens, we are also all homeowners in the City of La Quinta.
As concerned La Quinta residents, and given our training and time spent in our community, we consider
it imperative that we, CactusToCloud, oppose this project, and we ask that the DEIR be revised to
address the concerns contained in this letter, and other letters of concerned residents and conservation
organizations.
This project threatens to negatively impact the existing cultural, ecological, and recreational features in
this area. Coral Mountain itself is a cultural and historically rich space, where Native American
petroglyphs, intact honey mesquite hummocks, and the ancient Lake Cahuilla Shoreline are visible and
accessible to our community. We are concerned irresponsible development of this area would damage
these irreplaceable assets in our beautiful city, and that access to public lands will be limited.
It is common knowledge that we are in the middle of one of the worst droughts in the history of our
state. The use of our ever-diminishing water resources to fill and maintain a 20-acre basin would be
short-sighted and does not consider reduced water availability during an unprecedented drought, or
uncertain future conditions due to a changing climate. We fear the DEIR has not properly address this,
and if this project is approved our community risks water shortages and similar water restrictions to
those now in effect in other parts of our state. California’s water board recently unanimously approved
emergency regulations to temporarily stop thousands of landowners, residents and farmers alike, from
using water from the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta watershed. Consumers are now living with a 55
gallon per person per day allowance, and face penalties up to $1000 per day, plus $2500 per acre-foot,
for illegally diverting water. Only through responsible use of water, both imported and from our
underground aquifer, can we avoid similar restriction in La Quinta.
While we oppose this specific project as presented, we support the responsible development of this site
in general. Indeed, smart development around Coral Mountain has the potential to fulfill important
community needs such as affordable housing, equitable access to public lands, and climate resilience
planning (as required of city governments by SB 379). Any development should incorporate resilience
best practices, such as community input and consideration of environmental justice, sustainable water
use, native plant landscaping, and outdoor recreational access to Coral Mountain, Boo Hoff Trail, and
the Santa Rosa Wilderness.
Instead of a surf park which is out of character with our desert, a development that not only preserves
but enhances the natural and cultural heritage of our City would be an asset to the community. The
CactusToCloud team is ready and interested in working with the City and developers to assist in the
implementation of these features, and working together to build a resilient and inclusive community for
people and wild plants and animals to thrive in the Coachella Valley.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
CactusToCloud
Sendy Barrows
Colin Barrows
Tracy Bartlett
Elizabeth Ogren Erickson