Thanks so much for showing your support by signing our petition! We’ve been busy!
As you’ve probably heard by now, on July 22 the Twentynine Palms City Council voted 5-0 to approve the Ofland Hotel development with little discussion despite considerable public comment asking them to either require an Environmental Impact Report or send the project back to the Planning Commission for further consideration.
We were then faced with the difficult decision on whether to pursue litigation. On August 20, filing as Indian Cove Neighbors, we joined the Center for Biological Diversity in submitting a CEQA complaint against the City of Twentynine Palms and the Ofland Hotel with the Superior Court of the State of California. Will you consider donating to help us cover the costs of this lawsuit?
We have initiated a GoFundMe with the hopes of raising $15,000. There are many many crucial causes that need support right now, so we appreciate any amount you are able to spare to help us in this fight. Indian Cove Neighbors has a fiscal sponsor and donations are tax deductible. Donations can also be made anonymously.
The original anticipated cost of the lawsuit was $70,000. It's expected that cost will be halved due to $35,000 due to co-litigating with the Center for Biological Diversity. There is a small group of Indian Cove residents who signed the contract with Greenfire Law to guarantee payment. Their contributions will match the donations made through the GoFundMe to get us closer to the $35,000 quote.
Donate to support our lawsuit!
If you prefer to donate by check please direct your donation to our fiscal sponsor, Kulturespace, and indicate the funds are for the Indian Cove Neighbors lawsuit:
Kulturspace
PO Box 431
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
The lawsuit has received A LOT of press from the Desert Trumpet to the Los Angeles Times to the Daily Mail(!). The press release from the Center for Biological Diversity is below along with a list of the press received so far.
Again thanks for your on-going support. With your help we can preserve a crucial wildlife corridor, protect endangered species and encourage the City of Twentynine Palms to ensure the integrity of Joshua Tree National Park and the rural neighborhoods adjacent to it.
On Behalf of the Say No Ofland / Indian Cove Neighbors Organizing Committee.
Cindy Bernard, Rich Good, Heidi Heard, Tonya Jones, Dana Longuevan and Kat and John Talley-Jones
Litigation press list
- Center for Biological Diversity Press Release
- Daily Mail
- Desert Sun
- Desert Trumpet
- Hi Desert Star / Desert Trail
- KESQ
- LA Times
- z107.7
- LAist AirTalk (at 17:10)
Image: Squiggles, a wild desert tortoise in her burrow, a few hundred feet from the Ofland Hotel parcel.