2021-05-30 WongFirefox https://outlook.office.com/mail/deeplink?Print
Coral Mountain
Derek Wong <derekwong745@yahoo.com>
Sun 5/30/2021 11:35 AM
To: Linda Evans <Levans@laquintaca.gov>;Kathleen Fitzpatrick <kfitzpatrick@laquintaca.gov>;Steve Sanchez
<ssanchez@laquintaca.gov>;John Pena<jpena@laquintaca.gov>;rrad@laquintaca.gov <rrad@laquintaca.gov>
Cc: Consulting Planner<ConsultingPlanner@laquintaca.gov>
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Linda Evans, Mayor
Robert Radi, Mayor Pro Tem
Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Council Member
John Pena, Council Member
Steve Sanchez, Council Member
Dear La Quinta City Council Members,
May 30, 2021
Wave Pools planned for the Coachella Valley are projects that may portend an alternate revenue
generation and cater to a newer, younger demographic out of necessity but the current state of our
climate demands that a closer look be undertaken.
The headlines below also portend alternate potentials, ones that may mean serious restrictions in the
near future for both freshwater and power. While responsible management allows us to enjoy well
stocked aquifers now, it only highlights that prudent conservation is our only course.
The logic of choosing Coral Mountain to construct a Wave Pool is questionable: there are thousands
of pre-existing homes and its placement would definitely disrupt the peace and tranquility many of us
moved here for. Were no other sites considered? Again, we, the La Quinta Residents for Responsible
Development are in alignment in keeping the area fully residential as it was zoned for, so build homes
and limited commercial but no half -mile pool
or additional golf courses.
April 17, 2021, AP: "US west prepares for possible 1st water shortage declaration."
April 19, 2021, Desert Sun: "Tiny Borrego Springs agrees to huge water cuts to guarantee its
survival."
April 20, 2021, Curbed: Climate -Change related lawsuit nixes huge California development."
April, 21, 2021, Project Planet: As Megadrought persists, new projections show a key Colorado river
reservoir could sink to a record low this year."
April 29, 2021, The Guardian: "From dust bowl to California drought, a climate scientist on the
lessons we still haven't learned."
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May 10, 2021, ABC News: "California expands drought emergency to large swath of state."
May 13, 2021, Bloomberg: "Blackouts threaten the entire U.S. West this summer as heat awaits."
May 15, 2021, Marketwatch, The Conversation: "Drought stricken western states face a water crisis
and another dangerous fire season."
May 19, 2021, Desert Sun: "How prepared is California for 2021's drought? State running out of
water, time."
May 21, 2021, Axios: "Drought tightens its grip on the west as fears grow over blackouts, wildfires
and heat waves."
May 25, 2021, New York Times: "The central California town that keeps sinking." (Hint: overpumping
of groundwater.)
May 28, 2021, InsideClimate News: "As California's drought worsens, the Biden administration cuts
water supplies and farmers struggle to compensate."
With headlines like this, what is the message that we are sending: that wealthy communities with not
just money but also with essential water can continue to build projects that only benefit a select few
with ever more scarce resources? Optics, optics, optics...
No marketing spin can dismiss the reality we face: this is the wrong project at the wrong time in the
wrong place.
Thank you for your time,
Derek Wong
La Quinta Residents for Responsible Development
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