Our pristine, mixed conifer forest and lush meadows, unmatched in the southwest, is a significant draw for many. People from around the world come to enjoy this Nature gem.
The map above shows the 500,000 Volt transmission line that could travel through Warner’s Valley at Lake Henshaw, up to Panorama Trail off East Grade (blue line). Then it could continue all along the very lush and beautiful East Grade Road, through both the Will and Dyche Valleys. The lines could go up and through the heart of Palomar where we have the General Store and Post Office.To access our only businesses, the public would have to drive under these lines, which could continue all along the south side of State Park Road (yellow line). We were told the plan was to extend through the State Park following the existing power easement. This would require massive clear-cutting. The lines would then be transmitting all the way to San Onofre to power to Orange County and the Los Angeles basin.
In addition, we understand that survey teams could have been on the north side of the Observatory, so there is a possibility that the line could come up through that area or Mendenhall Valley and travel above the existing easement to the top of Palomar, then continue down through the State Park. This is not just a simple residential line, this is one of the largest transmission lines requiring major clear-cutting, which is very destructive.
Every single person going home to their cabin or ranch, or our many visitors in our old growth forest with the World Famous Observatory and 2000 acre State Park would travel this route. You would be driving along these possibly up to 215 foot towers humming with 500,000 Volts of electricity and a butchered swath of our beautiful forest, meadows and ponds, clear-cut under all the lines.
Palomar Mountain's history of strong 100 +mph winds is very similar to what happened in Houston, Texas May 2024. Palomar Mountain has had small tornado touch-downs that have turned huge oak branches into kindling and split and toppled trees hundreds of years old in seconds. Having 500,000 Volt transmission lines on a small 6000 foot elevation mountain makes no sense.
High voltage transmission lines can be a severe fire danger. According to CalFire, "a faulty transmission line" caused the Paradise Fire that burned over 150,000 acres. But this is not the only fire created by high voltage lines. Click here for a more complete list. The same thing could happen here with our 100 mph winds out of the rim where this line might cut through. Let's not forget, Palomar is on the Elsinore fault line and are subject to earthquakes, which could lead to tower collapses!
Palomar has so many historic Indian sites with hundreds of grinding holes and areas where many pottery shards and arrowheads have been found. This picture shows some the grinding holes that can be found in the State Park, but you can find many others all over Palomar Mountain, especially on the rim where the native women used to enjoy the breath taking views of the ocean.
Numerous endangered species are native to Palomar Mountain. We have nesting habitat for bold and golden eagles. You will find the Laguna Skipper Butterfly in meadows and around the ponds. We also have plants, frogs, birds and other sensitive species. More to come on this issue, please stay tuned for updates.
Tell us why you believe Palomar Mountain, with its very unique old-growth forest and the beauty of the Four Seasons, should be preserved for future generations.