Development puts high-desert environment at risk

Jeff Morgan Special to The Desert Sun November 27, 2005 November 27, 2005

COALITION FORMS In the cross hairs The Coalition to Save Shavers Valley has been formed to stop the development. The Shavers Valley has limited water sufficient only to coalition consists of California Native Plant Since 1995, local governments, developers and the desert wildlife and plants that have adapted to Society, California Wilderness Coalition, conservationists have worked together to create its scarcity. To supply water for a city, GLC would Center for Biological Diversity, Citizens for the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat pump ground water from the aquifer underlying the Chuckwalla Valley, Defenders of Wildlife, Conservation Plan, which sets forth a vision of Shavers Valley for 10 years or more before National Parks Conservation Association, development and conservation for the Coachella attempting recharge activities. This would drop Sierra Club-San Gorgonio Chapter and The Valley's next 75 years. Millions of dollars have the aquifer's water level, and its structure could Wilderness Society. been invested in this plan. Much compromise has collapse. been made through this process. The plan is not perfect, but it is an attempt to balance

development and the desert's sensitive natural More than a decade of work and compromise by assets. Coachella Valley governments could be derailed by a new city proposed by GLC Enterprises. Suburban impact If GLC's proposed new city were allowed to ruin Shavers Valley, it would derail the nearly finalized Likely ground subsidence and permanent loss in If developers get their way, a new city of 45,000 plan. GLC's proposed sprawl city would sink the the aquifer's water-storage capacity could dry up people - urban sprawl with 15,000 houses, resorts plan's goals because it would single-handedly desert waters such as Hidden Springs, Sheephole and golf courses - would pave more than 7,200 exceed the amount of habitat disturbance allowed Oasis and Cottonwood Springs - each critical to acres of open space in eastern Riverside County's in the entire Coachella Valley for places that are the survival of desert's web of life. Shavers Valley, a natural scenic area in the home to the desert tortoise and rare native plants. Sonoran Desert 15 miles east of Indio. GLC's proposed city would increase smog and This would prevent development in less sensitive traffic along Interstate 10 and cause more sprawl This unsustainable development would sprawl areas for the next 75 years or more. between Joshua Tree National Park and the in surrounding areas, all far from towns or Mecca Hills Wilderness, well outside of the infrastructure. The cost and impact of providing Coachella Valley's current urban boundaries. If Wilson and other supervisors do not deny GLC, new infrastructure and services where none the new sprawl city would destroy Shavers Valley. currently exists would be tremendous. County Supervisor Roy Wilson represents this area. Two years ago, his leadership was critical in There is much to lose. Shavers Valley is critical Any way you look at it, GLC's proposed new city preventing another city called Joshua Hills from habitat for the threatened desert tortoise and is sprawl on steroids, and it would be a big being built on Joshua Tree National Park's home to bighorn sheep and other distinctive setback for the California desert. Valley residents southern border. His assistance in protecting the wildlife. It is also a vital corridor for wildlife, are counting on Supervisor Wilson to lead the way quality of life in the Coachella Valley is needed allowing animals to travel between Joshua Tree for a balanced desert future by saying "no" to again by saying "no" to GLC's unwise, over-the- National Park, Mecca Hills Wilderness and GLC. top sprawl proposal. Orocopia Mountains Wilderness. Shavers Valley is also important for recreation, providing open Reach Jeff Morgan, vice chairman of the space for Californians and visitors from across Tahquitz Group of the Sierra Club: But Supervisor Wilson has not yet stepped up America and the world. [email protected] here.