Ron's Log

San Joaquin Valley Has Dirtiest Air

An article listing the 10 most polluted cities in the U.S. The populations in the article are for SMSAs or metropolitan areas. Central Valley cities are bolded:

1. Bakersfield (sits in a bowl and Fresno is upwind)
2. Hanford (old cars, plus Fresno is upwind)
3. Los Angeles
4. Visalia (irrigation pumps that burn diesel, plus Fresno is upwind)
5. Fresno (traffic, few public transit choices)
6. Pittsburgh
7. Phoenix
8. Cincinnati
9. Louisville
10. Philadelphia

It sounds like if we could just put a big dome over Fresno the rest of the valley would have a chance.

Medical Marijuana And Jewish Law

What with medical marijuana becoming legal in New Jersey and Connecticut, it had to be asked, "What about Jewish Law?" Dr. Wallace Greene, formerly director of Jewish Educational Services for the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, has written an article discussing the pros and cons. He cites several sources, but I think it's a little interesting that he didn't seem to try to find out how this has already been resolved in Israel, where medical marijuana is legal. I'm sure there's a been a ton written about it there. So, ya want me to give you the bottom line, or do you just want to go enjoy the whole, long Jewish argument?

Bottom line:

[M]edical marijuana may be prescribed by physicians in states where it is legal to do so, and be taken by patients to relieve pain. It may also be appropriate to prescribe medical marijuana in all states based on Leviticus 19:16.

The final word is that a physician heals with all types of herbs that God produces.

Leafly

Leafly has been described as the Yelp for medical marijuana. It includes a guide to dispensaries. Users can write reviews of dispensaries. Here, for instance, is a user review of a nearby dispensary.

Though it was a bit of a drive from Palm Desert, the girls at Desert Organic Solutions were amazing to work with. I'm really new to medical marijuana, and they told me just about everything I should have been told by other dispensaries in the area. Their suggestions were great, and I felt like they really listed to what my medical needs are before suggesting something. Would totally go back here, they were great!

That reviewer gave the place 5 stars in the three possible categories: medication, service and atmosphere. Just randomly poking around the map in Los Angeles and Orange County areas, it's almost impossible to find a negative review. These are happy customers! I did, however, locate this one for the Pacific Coast Collective in Malibu. The reviewer scored them a 4 for medication, 3 for service, and 3 for atmosphere:

The shop was small but had a lot of items. From different meds, pipes, vapes, etc. I forgot what I got since it was awhile ago but I remember it being good. The people who worked there seemed bored with their job and made it seem like they wanted me to leave as soon as possible. Being new to the whole thing I was trying to ask about different strains to see what would work best for my back pain. But again they were not to helpful in making my decision. I probably will not go back unless I have to. I would much rather drive an extra 10 minutes and go to the valley to get my meds.

The site also has a guide to strains. Under "Medical Use" it says there are 170 strains to deal with insomnia, but under "Effects" only 90 strains make you feel sleepy. On the "Medical Use" list there are none shown for "Confusion," but under "Effects" there are 40 for "Focused." 445 strains for dealing with "Stress" but there are none for a relaxed "Effect."

The strains use 3 color codes, but there is no key (and I never found a key for the different icons on the dispensary map either), but I think red is sativa, purple is indica and green is a hybrid. The names alone are entertaining. Possibly to satisfy the marijuana patient of a certain age, there is actually a strain called Maui Waui:

Tried it twice, and this is likely to be a day time favorite. FUNCTIONAL is the key word here. You'll be happy, uplifted, you'll feel the weight of the world lifted off your back, sure. You can fall into the sweet spell of a mary-jane buzz, but should you need to summon your brain's power for higher processing, no problem at all. My search for such a strain: energy without anxiety or confusion, has led me to this one. I did feel a little groggy the next day, but I can not rule out other causes for that.

Most of the user reviews fail to emphasize the medical benefits of the marijuana. Romulan Grapefruit:

i wasnt sure what to expect when i first tried the romulan grapefruit but man i wasnt disappointed haha. it creeps up on you with a slight body buzz which then builds up to intense head high with a minor body high. it lasts about 2 hours too which to me is pretty good. music is mindblowing, tv and internet is extremly entertaining if you can stay focused lol. my friends always ask me whats a good strain for being put into your own world, and i think this strain is one of the best for that. the first time i tried it, as i was coming down a bit and my friends and i were walking to 7-11 for munchies, i just looked up at the sky at night and all of a sudden i felt like everything in the world was ok. yea romulan grapefruit is good shit, dont overlook it.

I suppose this patient's primary health complaints were failure to enjoy music, tv, internet and walking to the 7-Eleven for munchies. In this case a full cure has been rendered.

On a related subject, the new marijuana dispensing machine in Santa Ana:

Desert Sun Editorializes In Favor Of Wasting Money

The Desert Sun editorial board says damn the science, let's have chrome-6 standards now. After all, what could be better than spending millions of dollars to achieve possibly no health benefit at all.

What kind of brain atrophy has set in at The Desert Sun over the last few months? They are really outdoing themselves.

Stepping Up To The World Level...

Not too long ago we all read about TripAdvisor's list of the top 25 relaxation/spa hotels in the United States. A mere eight of those (32%) are in Desert Hot Springs.

But how well do we do when we look at the list of TripAdvisor's top 25 relaxation/spa hotels in the WORLD? There we've got to compete with the Japanese, the Germans, the Italians, people who were doing spas for centuries before Christopher Columbus even took his first bath. Let's see how the national rankings turn out:

• Italy 6
• Germany 3
• USA 3
• Australia 2
• Austria 2
• Dominican Republic 1
• Indonesia 1
• Costa Rica 1
• India 1
• Thailand 1
• Barbados 1
• Canada 1
• Tanzania 1
• Guatemala 1

Just three in the United States: #16 on the list is Bella Monte Hot Springs Resort and Spa here in Desert Hot Springs; #18 is Cypress Cove Nudist Resort in Kissimmee, Florida; and #20 is Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa in, of course, Desert Hot Springs. Two in Desert Hot Springs. None in the rest of the Coachella Valley. (Is it time to raise the TOT again?)

Here are the reviews for Bella Monte. This review by megggggg of Santa Monica is fairly typical of the understated praise the spa receives:

"I WANT TO LIVE HERE"
Reviewed March 12, 2012

This place is magic!!! Bella Monte's combination of pristine mineral water pools, spa treatments, cedar sauna, fire pit, immaculate rooms and overall spectacular customer service set in motion an intense relaxation experience that began the moment our party of 5 work-weary gals from Los Angeles set foot on the cool entryway tile and received a warm welcome from one of Bella Monte's friendly staff members. Bella Monte, as some other reviewers note, is located in a residential area, and constructed in such a way that you feel completely secluded and at peace - it's as easy to make the 2 minute walk to a corner store for snacks as it is to forget you're in a world where you have need for anything but a sunscreen and a towel. We arrived with ambitious plans to hike and see the desert sights, but ended up planted poolside the whole time - soaking up the sun, plunging into the three mineral water pools (one large cool pool, 2 smaller & hotter) receiving fantastic massage treatments (try the aromatherapy with Art - amazing!!), watching the sunset by the fire pit, and generally enjoying the blissful break from reality. The grounds are artfully designed so that even if it is busy - which it apparently was during our stay, though you wouldn't have known it - you can find a private spot right next to the mineral pool of your choice. There are plenty of lounge chairs on each level, and a shaded area where the healthful complimentary continental breakfast of homemade crepes, yogurt, granola, coffee and fruit was served - delicious! Our lanai suite was spotless and welcoming - cool tiles, comfortable kind-sized bed, kitchenette, and spacious bathroom with a stand up shower AND jacuzzi tub, so you can enjoy the amazing mineral water in the privacy of your own room. We slept like sun-kissed babies, and woke up never wanting to leave! The closest thing to a negative experience occurred when I went to get some coffee and saw they had run out of mugs, and had to ask for more - which were promptly delivered. I'm serious - that was the worst thing that happened. This place is overall fantastic. Final word - the customer service could not be better. Each and every staff member, especially Tyler, went out of their way to accommodate us, from bringing extra towels and water, to setting up umbrellas when the sun got a bit strong. Their wonderful approach to creating a peaceful, relaxing environment was a huge factor in our experience. We will DEFINITELY be back - and soon!!

Stayed March 2012, traveled with friends

I want to point out that on top of all that, megggggg shopped local, walking to the corner store for snacks.

The reviews of Two Bunch Palms are here. There you'll find several reviews from people who are looking forward to the new owners restoring the quality they remember from years past. And then there's a lot like this from LB_Bunny:

"A truly relaxing oasis"
Reviewed October 16, 2011

I looooove Two Bunch Palms and can't wait to go back. I went as a treat for myself after passing my LCSW exam :) I am so relaxed and recharged it is ridiculous! When I first got there, I was a little puzzled, as I expected something more like the Miramonte in Indian Wells (I've been there and it is very nice, but very different). It is *not* the Miramonte, and I mean that in a good way. It is rustic, outdoorsy and so peaceful. The grotto is beautiful--you can lay about in warm spring waters, gazing up at the palms and eucalyptus trees and just *be*. There are no noisy children (thank you, whoever made this policy), cell phones or loud people talking on them. Just peace and quiet and natural beauty. The place is older, the buildings are made of stone and it looks like a rustic camp. But it is not run down as some have said here--it is just not manicured within an inch of its life. The guests tend to be a little older, more average folks, but everyone seemed pretty friendly. My room was very nice, with a huge, soft bed and the best shower massage ever. And the staff was friendly and helpful--loved my aesthetician, she was a really cool person. She went longer on my facial and made sure I was comfortable throughout. She did not try to sell me expensive bottles of stuff after the facial, which I appreciated. This place has a certain vibe--if you want a place that caters to the botoxed and implanted, it is probably not for you. But if you want beautiful surroundings, quiet and restorative peacefulness, you will love it.

Stayed October 2011, traveled solo

There will be some champagne (California, purchased at Vons, I'm sure) being uncorked tonight in DHS!

Guido's Italian Cuisine

Guido's in Malibu gets 4 (out of 5) stars on TripAdvisor. For example:

This restaurant has been around for a very long time and it is a favorite hang out for locals. The food is wonderful and the service is excellent. The fish dishes are always a good choice- so is the Osso Bucco when available. They will prepare any dish to your liking and specifications. The wine list is ok. You will need reservation for Friday or Saturday or any holiday night.

When they found "Carlos Ivan Rodas, 32, dead Sunday night in a pool of blood in front of Guido's restaurant on Cross Creek Road after the restaurant manager said he sent Rodas outside to dispose of trash" the Sheriff's department suspected he had been beaten or shot. But on closer examination they found no holes in him, nothing broken.

[O]n Wednesday sheriff's detectives reported that Rodas had died of an upper respiratory infection.

"There was a significant amount of blood at the scene and at different locations," said Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore.

The Sheriff's Department on Wednesday put a "security hold" on information about the case until toxicology results could be completed. That is expected to take as long as four weeks, Whitmore said.

"We are not able to discuss this case at this time," Craig R. Harvey, chief coroner investigator and chief of operations for the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner, said in an e-mail Thursday.

Keyless Car Ignition Risk?

News that some drivers are putting their keyless ignition cars in the garage and walking away without realizing the car is still running. Some deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning have been attributed to this. Rather than personal responsibility [oh no! not that!] some people are suggesting keyless ignitions be outlawed. I have a simpler idea (but not as simple as personal responsibility): put a carbon monoxide alarm with a really, really loud horn in your garage or in the car itself. People will still have to exercise the responsibility to respond to the alarm and shut off the car.

Chromium-6 Monitoring In San Fernando Valley

The federal limit on total chromium (good chrome-3 + bad chrome-6) in drinking water is 100 µg/L (micrograms per liter which is the same as parts per billion, ppb). In California the limit is 50 µg/L. Chrome-6 was reported in wells in San Fernando Valley in 1998. The highest level detected in a drinking water well there was 15 µg/L. LACDPW has detected levels as high as 97 µg/L in a monitoring well. The federal EPA monitoring wells have found a concentration as high as 1,000 µg/L. One source of contamination was the former Allied Signal facility located west of Bob Hope Airport.

The EPA has announced it will install 30 monitoring wells in the Glendale/Burbank area next month.

This is in contrast to the hexavalent chromium situation in the Coachella Valley. The chrome-6 in our drinking water comes from natural, not industrial, sources. The linked Desert Sun article says chrome-6 levels here range from 1 to 20 µg/L.

Chromium-6

The Desert Sun does a report on Chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium) in drinking water. It's a complex subject with a lot of unknowns. Fortunately, they put Keith Matheny, their best reporter, on it. This subject will be twisted, distorted and confused. Judging from the few comments the story has, those who cannot read but must have a strong opinion have already started getting it wrong.

The Air Quality Mitigation Fund Meetings - January 5

The South Coast Air Quality Management District held meetings in Desert Hot Springs and Mecca on January 5, to get public input on how to use the $53 million in mitigation funds from the CPV Sentinel natural gas power plant being built on unincorporated land north of Dillon Road, west of Indian. On their website the AQMD called these meetings "Designation of Environmental Justice Areas for the Coachella Valley Pursuant to AB 1318 Meeting."

Here are the audio recordings:

• Desert Hot Springs meeting.
• Mecca meeting.

AB 1318 is the law that underlies all this. It's a law that deals solely with the CPV Sentinel power plant being built in the Desert Hot Springs sphere of influence. All parties involve acknowledge that it's a flawed law, but when you are talking about the California legislature, you do not look for perfection in the laws. You simply appreciate the fact that somewhat useful laws sometimes emerge. It was pointed out in the meetings a few times that there were three bills dealing with new power plants that were trying to be worked through the legislature. The other two died (Colonel Mustard is being questioned). But this flawed law brings $53 million to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and it must be spent on emissions reductions - not on health, recreation, education, or anything but emissions reductions.

30% of the $53 million ($15,900,000) must be spent on emissions reductions in close proximity to the plant.

Another 30% of the money must be spent on emissions reductions in environmental justice areas within the SCAQMD.

The remaining 40% ($21,200,000) must be spent on emissions reductions anywhere within the SCAQMD.

Here's a map of all of SCAQMD. It includes the urban portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, all of Orange County and all of Riverside County west of (approximately) Desert Center. Our Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit is one of the AQMD Directors. He represents the 400,000 people who live in and east of the Banning Pass. The other 12 directors represent 16 million people who live over there where the weather isn't as perfect as ours.

I will give you the technical definition of "environmental justice" area as stated in Rule 1309.1. That's a rule that the SCAQMD had before AB 1318 was passed. AB 1318 refers to that rule specifically.

The Environmental Justice Area is defined as the area of grid cells where at least 10% of the population is below the poverty level (based on 2000 Federal census data); and either the cancer risk is greater than one thousand in one million (as determined by the SCAQMD Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study); or the PM10 exposure is greater than 46 micrograms per cubic meter (as determined by SCAQMD monitoring).

IOW, (1) poor and (2) either high cancer risk or high PM10.

Here's the map of environmental justice areas in SCAQMD:

They did not provide a key, but I believe the southwest-to-northeast crosshatching indicates an area that meets the EJ criteria using PM10. Southeast-to-northwest crosshatching indicates areas that would meet it due to high cancer risk. There are areas that meet both of those criteria. But in the Coachella Valley, there is no cancer risk greater than 1,000 in a million. All the EJ area in the Coachella Valley meet it because of the poverty rule and the PM10 rule.

An enlargement of the Coachella Valley. There are two permanent PM10 monitoring stations in the Coachella Valley. They are in Palm Springs and Indio. There are also temporary stations. They have computer modeling that they believe is reliable that can take that data and determine PM10 levels across the valley.

The odd geographical shapes reminiscent of gerrymandering are because they used, I believe, census tract data. That's why some wealthy parts of La Quinta are included in EJ areas. DHS is not in an EJ area because they say our PM10 levels are not high enough. We easily meet the poverty requirement. That is also why the entire western half of Joshua Tree National Park that lies in Riverside County lies in an EJ area. The population is, of course, all concentrated along Dillon Road, including some people in Indio and Coachella near I-10.

I have not been able to find a definition of "grid cells" on the AQMD website. I don't think they would be absolutely required to use census tract data, but it will cost something to redefine the EJ areas based on something that might be more equitable.

But hope is not lost, Desert Hot Springs. Here is our plum:

AQMD staff proposes to define "close proximity" as within a 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) radius. As you can see that includes ALL of incorporated Desert Hot Springs except the tiniest sliver over there at Long Canyon Road. It also includes some of Cathedral City (which has some EJ areas, too) and Palm Springs south as far as Vista Chino, and as far west as the interchange between I-10 and highway 111. The 10 km radius is based on a rule used in power plant development.

If everything goes as staff has proposed, then $15,900,000 will get spent in that circle, and we would still remain eligible for some of that $21,200,000 that can be spent anywhere in the SCAQMD.

Anyone who tells you that X millions will be spent on a hiking/biking/EV trail, or that some other millions will be spent on some other mitigation project, is talking through his hat. Here are the things that the AQMD board has NOT yet voted on and, therefore, has NOT decided:

• Where the economic justice areas are.
• The definition for "close proximity.
• What projects the $53 million will be spent on.
• IOW, basically everything.

The panel at both meetings included Assemblyman Manuel Pérez, Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit (formally, the chair of these meetings), Barry Wallerstein (Executive Officer, AQMD), Dr. Philip Fine (Planning & Rules Manager, AQMD), and Oscar Abarca (Deputy Executive Officer, Legal & Public Affairs, AQMD - whose main task seemed to be to explain in his fluent Spanish how the meetings would be conducted).

The official contacts for public questions or comments on this whole are these:

Dr. Philip Fine
909-396-2239
pfine@aqmd.gov

Or

Tracy Goss, P.E.
909-396-3106
tgoss@aqmd.gov

The mailing address for South Coast Air Quality Management District is 21865 Copley Drive; Diamond Bar CA 91765

Public Comments in Desert Hot Springs

The first comment came from Desert Hot Springs Mayor Yvonne Parks. She thanked them for the 10 km close proximity radius. She also thinks our particulate level is high. She said she is being a little greedy, wanting not only the 30% close proximity but some of the environmental justice 30% too.

Tom Kirk from CVAG delivered a long-ish, animated comment. [Although the 3-minute time limit had been announced, it was never enforced on anyone at either of the meetings.] He said that CVAG originally organized as the "Regional Anti Air Pollution Authority" [RAAPA?] in 1969 to oppose a proposed oil refinery in the Banning pass. He pointed out that public meetings at AQMD are still ahead. He reminded us that John Benoit is the only person on the AQMD board from this area. He said he was going to talk about getting as much of the $53 million into the Coachella Valley, not about which specific census tract or which specific project should get it. He thought it was Assemblyman's Peréz's intent to get all or most of it into the Coachella Valley. The power plant and emissions are here, so the funding should stay here. Our best chance to get that money is to (1) have a unified approach in the Coachella Valley; and (2) the Coachella Valley needs to have a compelling good use(s) for those funds. Emissions reductions, he emphasized. The "parkway" [the bike/hike/electric vehicle trail that would go the length of the valley was referred to with many different terms in both meetings] was only one idea being floated. The parkway concept was originally floated by Mr. Peréz years ago with support from others in the eastern end of the valley. "Supersizing" the trail (adding electric vehicles) is the new idea. [In Desert Hot Springs the vehicles were mostly referred to as "neighborhood electric vehicles" while in Mecca they were mostly called "golf carts" - NEV encompasses a broader range of vehicles than merely golf carts.] The parkway can help with congestion relief, which would reduce emissions. It would also help with health issues like obesity [but that is not material to allocation of the $53 million]. He said that modeling shows that most of the emissions impacts from the Sentinel site will be within 1,000 feet of the plant. On the worst day at Sentinel, he said, PM10 levels 1,000 feet from the plant will increase by only 1%. He said there's been enough data gathering and analysis. "Let's take this money and do great things for the Coachella Valley."

Reverend Carl McPeters from Indio, California [his emphasis], grew up in Palm Springs. He said he wanted the funds to be used to help seniors and the working poor. Specifically, he suggested weatherization. "I'm concerned also about a trail that smugglers could use to transport drugs from one end of the valley to the other."

[That remark produced a few smiles and quizzical looks around the room. I can recall when I lived in Boston and the notion of extending the Orange Line subway beyond Forest Hills to Needham was rabidly opposed by some Needhamites because it would, they said, simply make it easier for thieves to get to Needham to burglarize their homes. It requires a major disconnect from reality to imagine that the criminals in our society do not operate motor vehicles and are dependent upon the government to build bike paths or extend mass transit lines so they can do their deeds.]

Ryan Sinclair listed his academic achievements which included a kindergarten diploma from Wenzlaff Elementary next door. He has been working with environmental justice groups. He said he had a list of 10 problems to work on:

1. Unregulated dump sites.
2. A lack of air quality monitors.
3. Particulate matter and air quality.
4. Dirt roads.
5. Transportation emissions.
6. Salton Sea.
7. "Infrastructure," referring to everything from faulty septic tanks to poor roads.
8. Agricultural practices, such as burning.
9. Heavy industry.
10. Arsenic.
11. Agriculture field burning [again?].
12. A lack of interest in environmental justice.

[Yes, I see that's 12 items. I'm just the messenger.]

David Hoopes described himself as "just a resident of Desert Hot Springs." He said our water is our most valuable asset. He thought that they should count water vapor from the plant as a pollutant as well, since it contributes to the greenhouse effect. The MSHCP requires the preservation of sand dune and sand transport. This contradicts PM10 regulations. He would like AQMD to do something about getting light rail or Metrolink to the valley. That would reduce traffic [and emissions] in the pass. He said as much as possible of the 70% should be spent in Desert Hot Springs.

Karl Baker described himself as "citizen of Desert Hot Springs." He had read the press that a lot of this money would be spent on a trail system. He is on two or three trails committees and if trails are to be included in the $53 million, there are several stakeholders that need to be included as well. He listed the Coachella Vally Trails Committee, Coachella Valley Hiking Club, Desert Hot Springs Trails Committee, the equestrians, etc. Now he hears there are a multiplicity of stakeholders who want a piece of this pie. CNG vehicles require CNG mechanics and budgets in the agencies who buy CNG vehicles to support CNG mechanics. (Later he said that the Vector Control District used to have CNG vehicles, but got rid of them due to lack of CNG mechanics.) As for PM10 in DHS, he said everyone who has been here on a windy day knows we have a PM10 problem. He said a small group of people should sit down and think of any and all possible CV stakeholders and figure out an organized way together, "otherwise, we're going to have sausage."

The next commenter [I'm not going to do hatchet jobs on names I couldn't hear clearly] is a member of Coachella Valley Community Trails Alliance and Coachella Valley Bicycle Club. He said that in addition to the electric vehicles on the proposed trail, bicycles should also be considered as reducing emissions. Supervisor Benoit interrupted to emphasize emissions reduction, and a nexus needs to be made between bicycle riding and reduced use of motor vehicles. The commenter pointed out that PGA West and Trilogy golf communities are included in the economic justice areas. He said he didn't see how that could be.

Michael Platt guarantees that there are PM10 violations in Desert Hot Springs, and it doesn't take high wind conditions. He thinks DHS should be in the environmental justice area. It does not make sense to have parts of La Quinta and Palm Desert in environmental justice areas, while none of DHS is.

Steven Sims, a bicycle advocate, came next. He showed photo from The Desert Sun of a woman with a bicycle who represents 85% of the bicyclists in the valley (he said). She was helmetless and riding in the wrong direction on a street, but having a good time. He said the proposed transvalley pathway is ill-advised. He said kids should be riding bikes or walking to school. He said a bike path five miles away will not help kids ride bikes to school. He asked how many in the room would travel 4 miles to ride a bike path for 1 mile just to get to somewhere a mile away.

[I think that might be what you call a "straw man argument." No one is suggesting using a transvalley bike path for short runs when other routes make more sense. When I want to drive to Skyborne, I could drive all the way down to I-10, then west to highway 62 and then north to Pierson. I could. But I don't. But that is no argument against the existence of I-10 or highway 62.]

He said putting bikes on streets and making streets safe is the better way. He talked about economic benefits and health benefits of bike transportation. He said the pathway would benefit someone in Rancho Mirage who wants to get in their golf cart and go have three tacos in Coachella.

Steve Pastor, executive director of the Riverside County Farm Bureau brought a list of six ways that air pollution could be offset in agriculture. Retrofitting and replacing diesel engines could be done faster with more funding.

1. Replace diesel pump engines.
2. Replace diesel tractor engines.
3. Retrofit fuel tanks for vapor recovery.
4. Retrofit or replace diesel truck engines.
5. Retrofit or replace diesel engines in buses or trucks used to transport workers.
6. Pave roads.

[He could have greatly increased the number of his suggestions by, for example, distinguishing between replace or retrofitting diesel truck engines in trucks headed east, trucks headed west, trucks headed north, trucks headed south, and trucks parked regardless of which way they are pointed.]

Mr. Benoit said that a lot of remarks are focusing on the pathway proposal, and no one is suggesting that it be the sole project. Even if some funds go to the pathway, there are still millions more to spend, and other ideas are sought.

The next commenter, Rebecca, has worked in the landscape business for years. She thinks trees and urban forests are the best healing element for the desert. Scalping of lawns should also be outlawed.

Pastor Jerry Johnson said the Desert Highland Gateway Estates are the gateway to Palm Springs. He considers Palm Springs a gateway to the Coachella Valley. He was "part of" the Palm Springs Planning Commission in the late 90s. They took some federal money and brought the heating and cooling systems at the homes of some seniors up to code.

The next commenter, Yvonne, is the east valley organizer with Inland Congregations United For Change. She said youth leaders from "the three east valley high schools" as well as youth and adults from Dream Homes in Cathedral City support the bikepath because of its potential to create jobs, education, as well as creating a community green space, in addition to health benefits.

Camille Linde said was a member, but not speaking for, the DHS trails committee. She could not understand why there was no PM10 monitor in DHS. She asked if the monitor could be moved here. She said the bike pathway is not intended for kids headed to school, although they could use it for that. It adds another layer to the transportation choices in the valley.

Mr. Wallerstein said the monitoring sites were established many years ago. One of primary tasks is to monitor long term trends in compliance with federal standards. Moving a monitor interrupts that process.

Rick Daniels described the beautiful clear views of Los Angeles that he could enjoy as he drove to the Rose Bowl [did we mention that Oregon won?]. He said those views couldn't have been seen 20 years ago and he gave credit to AQMD for the improvement. Most of the power generated in our area is used outside the area. He pointed out some flaws in the environmental justice criteria. DHS is a poor community. California per capita income is $34,000. Riverside County is $22,000. DHS is $14,000. "Not only do we have poverty, we have abject poverty." 20% unemployment. 55% minority population. The only thing missing is the air monitoring. He thinks the air quality problem exists in DHS, but doesn't show up on a monitor. The city has submitted 53 air quality projects including the pathway, increasing energy conservation, etc.

Roger Rice said that as kids grow they start on the bus. A bike path would give people a road to work on their bicycle. He said we need to break the cycle of poverty by making transportation easy in the valley. "As the wind blows through Coachella Valley, the money goes right over Desert Hot Springs." He said he has seen that many times.

Russell Betts said an offer of monitoring in the future is welcome.

Public Comments in Mecca

In his introductory remarks Supervisor Benoit made it very clear that if the Coachella Valley can come together and present a unified list of uses for the money in the valley, then he promises to convince the other 12 AQMD directors to vote with him to keep the full $53 million in Coachella Valley.

The first commenter said the eastern Coachella Valley has the largest geographical area with unpaved roads. He specifically mentioned mobile home parks with unpaved roads. He suggested a working group of all the constituents of the community.

Then Tom Kirk, executive director of CVAG, made a re-appearance. He said we may have to compete with the other economic justice areas in the western AQMD. He said CVAG was exploring a number of ideas around which the Coachella Valley might unite. He mentioned the parkway, cleaner school buses, and alternative fuel vehicles. He said he worries that someone will say "Let's study this more." He wants to put the $53 million into the economy as quickly as possible. The air quality impacts of the power plant are minuscule, he said, even in Desert Hot Springs, but even less further east in the valley. He wants to use the money to address air quality and create jobs.

The next commenter said she supports the path idea. The bike path would reach the Desert Cahuilla wetlands (where the Whitewater River empties into the Salton Sea).

The next commenter who was introduced only as Debi said she works for the Torres Martinez tribe as the desert wetlands manager. The wetlands cover 85 acres. The grand opening will be on February 3 when the new Salton Sea Museum opens up. She supports the idea of trails. Then she said she is a CVWD Director, so that would make her Debi Livesay. She would like to have the Whitewater Wash opened up for everybody to use.

The next commenter said she has lived here 6 years and is a leader in ICUC. She wants to diminish air contamination in the east valley.

The next commenter talked about a trailer park with unpaved roads. In the afternoon and evening when the workers come home, thick clouds of dust are kicked up. Many people have asthma who live there. He wants mitigation money used to pave the trailer park roads.

The next commenter said the PM10 levels were high in the east valley. He mentioned the unpaved roads and agriculture and how new residential developments are close to agricultural fields.

The next commenter said he had been a member of ICUC for five years. He said there have been a lot of problems with air quality in Mecca. The parks in the eastern valley have dried up due to lack of funding.

The next commenter said there are serious health disparities with major respiratory illnesses including asthma. He said the air quality in the east valley really needs to be measured. He wants more air monitors. He also described the dust problems in trailer parks with unpaved roads. He wants the trail to be open to equestrians as well.

The next commenter wanted to know why the 2000 census was being used to determine economic justice areas. The 2010 census data is available and there are a lot more people in poverty now. Mr. Wallerstein explained that the bill references a 2007 version of a regulation that defined economic justice areas. That regulation specifically referred to the 2000 census data. IOW, 2000 census data is required by the law. The commenter specifically had the Dream Homes in mind. They are adjacent to the Whitewater River. He described it as a "river of dust." Mr. Wallerstein said that possibly the economic justice areas need t be refined before settling on a final map. He said inequities need to be pointed out to AQMD staff so they can make corrections. The commenter would have liked to see two different maps: one that shows only PM10 and one that only shows low income areas. He said he represents the Community Trails Alliance and they have been advocating for the Whitewater River for years. The air quality benefits would be enormous, he said. It would be an alternative for 111. Paving one of the banks of the Whitewater would reduce particulate matter throughout the valley.

Steve Hernandez was next, speaking as a city council member in Coachella. He listed some requests: CNG fast fueling stations, conversion of fire trucks and school buses, a solar collector system, paving of roads and parking lots in agricultural areas. He also supports the Farm Bureau suggestions. He mentioned there are some projects dealing with city fleet conversions. The City of Coachella has not taken a position on the trail proposal, but he thinks the majority of his fellow council members favor it. Their main concern is infrastructure. They lack bridges, sidewalks and paved roads. They lack designated bike lanes, too. The infrastructure needs in the unincorporated cities in the east valley are significant too. Avenue 66 needs a bridge over the railroad crossing. He said he supports the tourism economy of the valley but, he said, there isn't one hotel in Coachella. [This astonished me, and I came home to look on Google maps and search for a hotel or motel in Coachella, and it seems to be true. How could it be that a city in Coachella Valley that lies across highways 111, 86S and I-10 and is next door to the huge music festivals has NOT ONE SINGLE hotel? What bizarre glitch of the economy has caused that?]

Reverend Carl McPeters returned. He didn't say anything about drug smugglers this time. He did say "You're not Santa Claus, but you do have $53 million." He is not opposed to the parkway idea. He does not know how many people from the east valley will ride a golf cart all the way to Palm Springs. He said the Desert Sun said $40 million will be needed for the parkway. "I know the Desert Sun has a way of making moles out of mountainhills," he said. Supervisor Benoit said that construction of the parkway would create jobs. Some other good ideas don't generate local jobs, new school buses, for example.

The next commenter also talked about the dust raised every afternoon in trailer parks when the workers come home. Children have to walk up to a mile in the dust to get to the bus stop. There are no parks for recreation.

The next commenter said that when the farmers burn hay in their fields for heat, it really hurts people. A lady in the audience stood up and explained that the farmers pull permits to burn. They burn something in their fields at night.

Mr. Wallerstein said he would have to check with his staff to find out if what the commenter described is permitted under current regulations.

The commenter asked if there was some way AQMD could tell them when air pollution is highest, so that people with asthma know when to stay indoors. Mr. Wallerstein said that AQMD's air pollution information is often given on TV weather reports. The information is also available on the front page of the AQMD website and you can sign up to receive air quality alerts here. There is also a school notification program. When Mr. Wallerstein referred to getting smog forecasts on your iPhone [probably any smartphone] there was a wave of laughter throughout the room, suggesting that the notion of possessing an iPhone was ridiculous. Mr. Peréz asked if there was a phone number to report possibly illegal burning. Mr. Wallerstein said the number is 800-CUT-SMOG although information handed out at this meeting suggested it was only for reporting illegal motor vehicle exhaust.

The next commenter said she has resided in the Coachella Valley for over 20 years. She is opposed to using any of the funds in any way that will benefit private businesses, such as the trucking companies. She said that paved roads are more important in the east valley than the proposed pathway. She wanted more air monitors in the eastern valley. Mr. Wallerstein explained that none of the mitigation money can be used for monitoring. There is a monitor at the COD campus, where this meeting was being held. They are temporary for now, but if they give some surprising results, then AQMD will have to consider putting in a permanent monitor.

The next commenter asked for a clarification of the economic justice areas. He asked to know how much of the $53 million will be used for the pathway. Supervisor Benoit said that had not yet been decided. He added that 23% of the proposed pathway would be in the economic justice area. The commenter asked how the pathway would mitigate air pollution in the east valley. Mr. Benoit said that emissions in the western valley travel on the wind to the eastern valley, so a reduction of emissions in Palm Springs does benefit the eastern valley. The commenter said more air quality monitors are needed in the east valley. He asked if some of the money would be used to pave roads. Mr. Benoit said he had heard the suggestion to pave dirt roads several times and he is sure it will be one of the proposals given serious consideration. He did go on to explain that paving roads and adding sidewalks can be done with this money only if it can be demonstrated that it will improve air quality.

Anjelica was the next commenter. She said she is also known as "Chachi" which, she said, is not a gangster name. She said there are a high rate of birth defects in the east valley. There is also a high rate of cancer. Women's monthly periods are being disrupted. There are high risks of leukemia, Lou Gehrig's disease, Hodgkin's disease, Parkinson's disease.

Maria Machuca says she has been with the school district since 2008. She likes the idea of the pathway, but we have to look at the reality in our communities. People are affected by pesticides. Unpermitted burning is occurring. There is a brand new school in Oasis. At night the burning in the fields generates smoke that gets into the classrooms. The students can go into the classrooms due to the smoke, and they can't stand around outside due to the smoke. The school district stretches from Chiriaco Summit to the Imperial County line. It depends on transportation. She suggested installation of solar panels on schools. She said we don't have the skilled people to fill the jobs that will be created by construction of the pathway. Mr. Benoit disagreed. Ms. Machuca insisted that we have no people skilled in green energy. She said we need to invest in training local people in green energy. She has actually made a survey, and only 3 people in Mecca own golf carts. She said her father wondered if recharging outlets would be installed along the trail, because a golf car can't travel from Mecca to Palm Springs on one charge. Mr. Benoit said recharging stations are part of the discussion about the pathway.

The next commenter said they had already gotten a No to the two primary demands for the eastern valley: no air monitors and no paved roads. She asked if there was something in the law that would not permit the paving of a road. Mr. Wallerstein clarified that the single overriding requirement is that all the money has to be spent on things that reduce emissions. Road paving is definitely something that the money can be used for. But it will not be used to repave a road in a jurisdiction where other tax dollars should be used to pave that road. [For example, we couldn't get air quality mitigation money to repave Cactus between Hacienda and Two Bunch Palms Trail - but we might be able to get some to pave some dirt roads that are not included in any other plans for paving. 20th Avenue between Palm and Indian maybe?] Mr. Benoit said St. Anthony's Trailer Park is on his list of places that need to be paved.

The last commenter said that people need to know the time frame and need assistance to prepare proposals for the AQMD. Who has the money, ability and backing to submit proposals? Mr. Benoit said that the request for proposals has not yet been put out there, but it is expected in February. The RFP will state the criteria. He said that his office and CVAG would both be willing to assist someone who wants to submit a proposal. He said he has heard the proposals of the community that night, without anyone having to submit anything on paper.