Overview of GPN: Why We Oppose
The California Desert Coalition opposes the intrusion of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's (LADWP's) Green Path North transmission lines through the communities and protected lands of Desert Hot Springs, the Morongo Basin, Lucerne Valley, and the Apple Valley/Hesperia areas for many reasons.
1. We (San Bernardino and Riverside County taxpayers and land owners) are being expected to absorb the TRUE COST of Green Path North so that the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) can avoid alternatives that will cost it more money. The TRUE COST of this project includes many factors. Whether or not these factors can be expressed as dollar values, all are prices we would be forced to pay. The TRUE COST includes:
A. Increased risk of wildfire. Many of the October 2007 wildfires in Southern California were started by
downed power lines according to fire authorities. The risk of a fire getting out of control is worse when power
lines are in fire-prone remote areas. The cost of fighting any fires along the GPN corridor would be shouldered
by our counties and local municipalities, not by the Los Angeles public utility.
B. Demand for public services. With these power lines come access roads (LADWP has suggested a 24-
foot-wide roadway). Areas with these types of power lines and new roads have seen increased illegal
dumping and off-road desert trespass (by vehicles and OHVs). There would be an increased need for
emergency responses to injuries and accidents and possibly for search-and-rescue operations as these
roads open previously inaccessible areas. The costs associated with these new circumstances would be
shouldered by our counties and local municipalities, not by the Los Angeles public utility.
C. Effect on local economy. The main economy of this region is tourism. The beauty of the Mojave Desert
attracts artists, musicians, writers, and other visitors from around the world. It is a popular get-away from the
urban areas of Southern California. Giant transmission towers on the horizon and power lines crossing our
highway (the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park) would undoubtedly have a negative effect on tourist-
oriented businesses.
D. Effect on property values. Up to 40% of GPN would cross private land. Many desert residents would
lose their dream homes to eminent domain. Others would have these giant towers just a few hundred feet
from their homes. The towers would be visible for miles and would replace natural, undeveloped mountaintops
as the dominant feature of our landscape--all this in an area where natural beauty is the main attraction;
clearly property values would suffer.
E. Effect on health. The effects of high-concentration energy systems upon humans may be extreme. One
California Health Department review cites increased risks of miscarriage, childhood leukemia, and other
potentially life-threatening problems. Residents living along the path of GPN should not be forced to accept
these risks.
F. Risk to cultural and historical resources. Along some sections of the proposed GPN route are
numerous archaeological sites. The exact location of such sites is guarded to prevent looting or vandalism.
Construction of GPN could directly disturb some sites. It would definitely place many at risk of being
accidentally "discovered" by collectors or other destructive people.
G. Effect on quality of life. People tolerate extreme conditions to enjoy the benefits of living in the Mojave
Desert. Open lands, unspoiled views, clear night skies, proximity to wildlife, and quiet neighborhoods are all
recognized as important to desert residents in the San Bernardino County General Plan for future
development. GPN would violate both the letter and spirit of the General Plan and the law.
H. We don't like how these power lines would look. Some advocates of GPN think that how the towers
look is the ONLY reason we object. But it is true that towers 125- to 220-feet tall (taller than ANY other
structures in the area) placed every 1000 feet, the emitting of a constant 60dB buzz, and the accompanying
scars on our landscape are unwanted and inappropriate here.
2. Green Path North is NOT "green." LADWP lauds geothermal power plants as its excuse for GPN, but these plants have not even been approved, let alone built, and would supply only a small portion of the electricity to be transmitted by GPN. And, at what cost in ecological destruction? The desert is a fragile ecosystem, and the breaking point beyond which it cannot recover is unknown. LADWP has truly "green" alternatives for increasing its renewable energy usage without incurring the negative impacts of GPN.
A. Impact on wildlife linkage corridors. Wildlife linkage corridors between Joshua Tree National Park and
the San Bernardino National Forest are routes that have been scientifically determined to be critical for
animal movement-necessary for wildlife to survive fire or drought and to maintain genetic diversity. GPN would
cross five critical wildlife linkage corridors, with unpredictable consequences.
B. Impact on bird migration. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a migratory stop for several dozen bird
species and a migratory endpoint for many more. Endangered species nest and breed in the preserve. Tall
structures and power lines are known to kill numerous birds. Putting them in or near an area where birds are
concentrated would have a significant negative effect.
C. Impact on animals. Many animal species are likely to be affected. The endangered desert tortoise lives
along the entire proposed GPN route. Tortoises would be put especially at risk because their main predator,
ravens, are known to nest on towers such as LADWP proposes. Bighorn sheep would also be put at risk.
Many bighorn sheep travel between Joshua Tree National Park and the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve for the
preserve's water sources. It is very likely that construction of GPN and the very existence of the transmission
line could interfere with the bighorn's access to water. Until we know for sure, we should not put them at risk.
D. Impact on native plants. Building GPN would require road building and the clearing of almost an acre of
land for each of hundreds of towers. Restoring vegetation in disturbed desert landscape is almost impossible
(as LADWP admits). In addition, non-native plants, which grow faster than desert-adapted species, would be
more likely to sprout. Seeds would be brought in on the tires of construction vehicles and shoes of workers.
Non-native grasses have been cited as one reason wildfires are larger and more destructive today than in the
past.
3. Citizens and municipalities along the proposed Green Path North route have had NO VOICE in determining the fate of their own communities.
A. LADWP has attempted to keep their plans hidden from those affected. LADWP had been planning
GPN for at least two years before anyone along the proposed route was aware of it. Private landowners, the
Wildlands Conservancy, and the on-site managers of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve first learned about plans
for GPN from the BLM in March 2007. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors found out through a
newspaper article. Once LADWP's plans were exposed in newspaper articles, LADWP removed from its
website the GPN route map showing routes through the high desert.
B. LADWP has not seriously considered other options. Spokespersons for LADWP maintain that "it is
early in the process" and that no route for GPN has been chosen yet. But documents show that LADWP has
promoted the route from Desert Hot Springs to Hesperia, and no other, since 2006 and possibly earlier.
LADWP asked for rights-of-way through BLM lands (in December 2006) on this route only. LADWP asked
the U.S. Department of Energy to ADD GPN as a new energy corridor through the West-wide Energy Corridor
process in June 2006 and reiterated its need for a new energy corridor in February 2008. LADWP survey
markers were placed on both public and private lands along this route (in April 2007) without notifying
landowners or the BLM.
C. LADWP did not involve local communities in the planning for GPN. LADWP planned GPN for over 3
years with no public outreach and without meeting with affected communities, working to gain approval for its
preferred route and a new energy corridor through the high desert. When LADWP finally held its first public
meeting in Yucca Valley in July 2008, citizen's were told that the utility is exploring alternative routes.
However, LADWP's BLM application remains unchanged in that it still requests right-of-way (ROW) for the
route through the high desert and no other ROW is requested.
1. We (San Bernardino and Riverside County taxpayers and land owners) are being expected to absorb the TRUE COST of Green Path North so that the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) can avoid alternatives that will cost it more money. The TRUE COST of this project includes many factors. Whether or not these factors can be expressed as dollar values, all are prices we would be forced to pay. The TRUE COST includes:
A. Increased risk of wildfire. Many of the October 2007 wildfires in Southern California were started by
downed power lines according to fire authorities. The risk of a fire getting out of control is worse when power
lines are in fire-prone remote areas. The cost of fighting any fires along the GPN corridor would be shouldered
by our counties and local municipalities, not by the Los Angeles public utility.
B. Demand for public services. With these power lines come access roads (LADWP has suggested a 24-
foot-wide roadway). Areas with these types of power lines and new roads have seen increased illegal
dumping and off-road desert trespass (by vehicles and OHVs). There would be an increased need for
emergency responses to injuries and accidents and possibly for search-and-rescue operations as these
roads open previously inaccessible areas. The costs associated with these new circumstances would be
shouldered by our counties and local municipalities, not by the Los Angeles public utility.
C. Effect on local economy. The main economy of this region is tourism. The beauty of the Mojave Desert
attracts artists, musicians, writers, and other visitors from around the world. It is a popular get-away from the
urban areas of Southern California. Giant transmission towers on the horizon and power lines crossing our
highway (the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park) would undoubtedly have a negative effect on tourist-
oriented businesses.
D. Effect on property values. Up to 40% of GPN would cross private land. Many desert residents would
lose their dream homes to eminent domain. Others would have these giant towers just a few hundred feet
from their homes. The towers would be visible for miles and would replace natural, undeveloped mountaintops
as the dominant feature of our landscape--all this in an area where natural beauty is the main attraction;
clearly property values would suffer.
E. Effect on health. The effects of high-concentration energy systems upon humans may be extreme. One
California Health Department review cites increased risks of miscarriage, childhood leukemia, and other
potentially life-threatening problems. Residents living along the path of GPN should not be forced to accept
these risks.
F. Risk to cultural and historical resources. Along some sections of the proposed GPN route are
numerous archaeological sites. The exact location of such sites is guarded to prevent looting or vandalism.
Construction of GPN could directly disturb some sites. It would definitely place many at risk of being
accidentally "discovered" by collectors or other destructive people.
G. Effect on quality of life. People tolerate extreme conditions to enjoy the benefits of living in the Mojave
Desert. Open lands, unspoiled views, clear night skies, proximity to wildlife, and quiet neighborhoods are all
recognized as important to desert residents in the San Bernardino County General Plan for future
development. GPN would violate both the letter and spirit of the General Plan and the law.
H. We don't like how these power lines would look. Some advocates of GPN think that how the towers
look is the ONLY reason we object. But it is true that towers 125- to 220-feet tall (taller than ANY other
structures in the area) placed every 1000 feet, the emitting of a constant 60dB buzz, and the accompanying
scars on our landscape are unwanted and inappropriate here.
2. Green Path North is NOT "green." LADWP lauds geothermal power plants as its excuse for GPN, but these plants have not even been approved, let alone built, and would supply only a small portion of the electricity to be transmitted by GPN. And, at what cost in ecological destruction? The desert is a fragile ecosystem, and the breaking point beyond which it cannot recover is unknown. LADWP has truly "green" alternatives for increasing its renewable energy usage without incurring the negative impacts of GPN.
A. Impact on wildlife linkage corridors. Wildlife linkage corridors between Joshua Tree National Park and
the San Bernardino National Forest are routes that have been scientifically determined to be critical for
animal movement-necessary for wildlife to survive fire or drought and to maintain genetic diversity. GPN would
cross five critical wildlife linkage corridors, with unpredictable consequences.
B. Impact on bird migration. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a migratory stop for several dozen bird
species and a migratory endpoint for many more. Endangered species nest and breed in the preserve. Tall
structures and power lines are known to kill numerous birds. Putting them in or near an area where birds are
concentrated would have a significant negative effect.
C. Impact on animals. Many animal species are likely to be affected. The endangered desert tortoise lives
along the entire proposed GPN route. Tortoises would be put especially at risk because their main predator,
ravens, are known to nest on towers such as LADWP proposes. Bighorn sheep would also be put at risk.
Many bighorn sheep travel between Joshua Tree National Park and the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve for the
preserve's water sources. It is very likely that construction of GPN and the very existence of the transmission
line could interfere with the bighorn's access to water. Until we know for sure, we should not put them at risk.
D. Impact on native plants. Building GPN would require road building and the clearing of almost an acre of
land for each of hundreds of towers. Restoring vegetation in disturbed desert landscape is almost impossible
(as LADWP admits). In addition, non-native plants, which grow faster than desert-adapted species, would be
more likely to sprout. Seeds would be brought in on the tires of construction vehicles and shoes of workers.
Non-native grasses have been cited as one reason wildfires are larger and more destructive today than in the
past.
3. Citizens and municipalities along the proposed Green Path North route have had NO VOICE in determining the fate of their own communities.
A. LADWP has attempted to keep their plans hidden from those affected. LADWP had been planning
GPN for at least two years before anyone along the proposed route was aware of it. Private landowners, the
Wildlands Conservancy, and the on-site managers of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve first learned about plans
for GPN from the BLM in March 2007. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors found out through a
newspaper article. Once LADWP's plans were exposed in newspaper articles, LADWP removed from its
website the GPN route map showing routes through the high desert.
B. LADWP has not seriously considered other options. Spokespersons for LADWP maintain that "it is
early in the process" and that no route for GPN has been chosen yet. But documents show that LADWP has
promoted the route from Desert Hot Springs to Hesperia, and no other, since 2006 and possibly earlier.
LADWP asked for rights-of-way through BLM lands (in December 2006) on this route only. LADWP asked
the U.S. Department of Energy to ADD GPN as a new energy corridor through the West-wide Energy Corridor
process in June 2006 and reiterated its need for a new energy corridor in February 2008. LADWP survey
markers were placed on both public and private lands along this route (in April 2007) without notifying
landowners or the BLM.
C. LADWP did not involve local communities in the planning for GPN. LADWP planned GPN for over 3
years with no public outreach and without meeting with affected communities, working to gain approval for its
preferred route and a new energy corridor through the high desert. When LADWP finally held its first public
meeting in Yucca Valley in July 2008, citizen's were told that the utility is exploring alternative routes.
However, LADWP's BLM application remains unchanged in that it still requests right-of-way (ROW) for the
route through the high desert and no other ROW is requested.
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