STOPLEAPS.INFO Forest Lake and Communities Coalition - FLACC
STOPLEAPS.INFO Forest Lake and Communities Coalition - FLACC
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    • Home
    • STOP LEAPS News
    • Power Line Map
    • Dam Map
    • Water Quality
    • Fire Danger
    • Document Library
    • Contact Officials
    • Calendar
    • Dam Failures
    • EVMWD Settlement
    • Opposed to LEAPS
    • Contact FLACC
    • Join FLACC
    • Adverse Impacts
    • Save Decker Canyon
  • Home
  • STOP LEAPS News
  • Power Line Map
  • Dam Map
  • Water Quality
  • Fire Danger
  • Document Library
  • Contact Officials
  • Calendar
  • Dam Failures
  • EVMWD Settlement
  • Opposed to LEAPS
  • Contact FLACC
  • Join FLACC
  • Adverse Impacts
  • Save Decker Canyon

Zombie Project Returns: LEAPS is now BLUE WATER RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE

Zombie Project Returns: LEAPS is now BLUE WATER RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGEZombie Project Returns: LEAPS is now BLUE WATER RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGEZombie Project Returns: LEAPS is now BLUE WATER RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE

The project no one wants is back. Proponents can put all the lipstick they want on it, it's still a pig.

Latest News

flacc@stopleaps.info

Zombie Project Returns: LEAPS is now BLUE WATER RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE

Zombie Project Returns: LEAPS is now BLUE WATER RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGEZombie Project Returns: LEAPS is now BLUE WATER RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGEZombie Project Returns: LEAPS is now BLUE WATER RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE

The project no one wants is back. Proponents can put all the lipstick they want on it, it's still a pig.

Latest News

flacc@stopleaps.info

We thought we could rest, but they are back.

Attention FLACC Members,

After a couple years of relative peace, the folks who brought you the LEAPS boondoggle have regrouped and restructured. Nevada Hydro was purchased by Blue Water Renewable Energy Energy and they are beginning to make the rounds pushing their project. More information to come soon. 


3 Things YOU can do RIGHT NOW to Fight LEAPS

Hands raised

1. LEARN, then Share this site with Friends, Family & Coworkers

1. LEARN, then Share this site with Friends, Family & Coworkers

1. LEARN, then Share this site with Friends, Family & Coworkers

Lack of reliable, easily accessible information about the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage LEAPS project by Nevada Hydro / LEAPS Hydro is the biggest issue. 


The company has plenty of money to run full page ads in local publications, which include advertorials - Hack opinion pieces that look like editorials but are nothing more than cop

Lack of reliable, easily accessible information about the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage LEAPS project by Nevada Hydro / LEAPS Hydro is the biggest issue. 


The company has plenty of money to run full page ads in local publications, which include advertorials - Hack opinion pieces that look like editorials but are nothing more than copy space given to advertisers 


The second issue is a lack of urgency from local communities which think they won't be affected...

Canyon Lake - Wonder how they will get 50 billion gallons of water for the upper reservoir into Lake Elsinore? How are Canyon Lake's flood gates holding up? 


La Cresta, DeLuz - Welcome to your new up and close view of giant power lines, loss of property values and added fire risk.  


San Juan Capistrano - Where do you think 50 billion gallons of water will go if the Decker Canyon dam breaches?


Crowd holding pitchforks and torches opposing LEAPS

2. Submit Your LEAPS Opposition Letters to FERC

1. LEARN, then Share this site with Friends, Family & Coworkers

1. LEARN, then Share this site with Friends, Family & Coworkers

Write a formal letter of PROTEST and submit it to FERC either on their e-comments webpage or via US mail. 


You must state that you are submitting a letter of PROTEST. REFER TO Project P-14227-003 LAKE ELSINORE ADVANCED PUMP STORAGE. 

Tell them why you oppose this project! How does it affect you?


Submit it to FERC either on 

FERC's e-Comments 

Write a formal letter of PROTEST and submit it to FERC either on their e-comments webpage or via US mail. 


You must state that you are submitting a letter of PROTEST. REFER TO Project P-14227-003 LAKE ELSINORE ADVANCED PUMP STORAGE. 

Tell them why you oppose this project! How does it affect you?


Submit it to FERC either on 

FERC's e-Comments web page

or

Send US Mail letters:

Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE.  Washington, DC 20426

Visit FERC's E-Comments Page - Submit your Opposition LetterS
Lookout Roadhouse sign opposing LEAPS

3. Join FLACC and Volunteer, Participate, Donate

1. LEARN, then Share this site with Friends, Family & Coworkers

3. Join FLACC and Volunteer, Participate, Donate


JOIN FLACC AT NO CHARGE 

Get involved by spreading the word about this lousy project. 


 FLACC is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. 


Donations Accepted

While there is no charge to join FLACC, we can sure use your tax-deductible donations to fund public outreach campaigns, print signs, send mailers, email campaigns, pro


JOIN FLACC AT NO CHARGE 

Get involved by spreading the word about this lousy project. 


 FLACC is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. 


Donations Accepted

While there is no charge to join FLACC, we can sure use your tax-deductible donations to fund public outreach campaigns, print signs, send mailers, email campaigns, produce, host and maintain the website.


Send Checks to:

Forest Lake and Communities Coalition

PO BOX 1047

Lake Elsinore, CA 92531

or 

Donate Online Securely



Donate to FLACC Securely Online

What do YOU THink about LEAPS?

Lousy Polling Distorts Community Will. TAKE A REAL SURVEY HERE!

Contact Elected Officials, Nevada Hydro and Organizations Involved with LEAPS

Contact Elected Officials, Nevada Hydro and Organizations Involved with LEAPS

Crowd of People opposing LEAPS

 Nevada Hydro submitted a poll they conducted to FERC that claims local support for the project in Lake Elsinore. 


Nowhere in that poll do they mention the 32 miles of power lines, heavy equipment traffic, pollution, interference with lake use, damage to Cleveland National Forest, business harm, or interference with fire-fighting aircraft. 


In fact, only 1 in 5 people had even heard of LEAPS. Let them know what you think through the 5 minute Survey below. 

TAKE THE SURVEY- Your Opinion Counts!

Contact Elected Officials, Nevada Hydro and Organizations Involved with LEAPS

Contact Elected Officials, Nevada Hydro and Organizations Involved with LEAPS

Contact Elected Officials, Nevada Hydro and Organizations Involved with LEAPS

Crowd of LEAPS Opposition torches and pitchforks

We compiled a handy list of elected officials, agencies and Nevada Hydro / Leaps Hydro with contact information for residents to use. 


Let politicians and the organizations involved in LEAPS know we will not tolerate this project in Lake Elsinore. 


Demand they NOT support Nevada Hydro and ACTIVELY OPPOSE IT.

Contact Elected Officials and Organizations Involved in LEAPS

STOP LEAPS! Learn About this Massive Boondoggle

POWER LINE MAP: Where will Power Lines Go? See Proposed Transmission Line Route

EMINENT DOMAIN: Hundreds of Local Properties Affected, Some at Risk of Involuntary Taking

EMINENT DOMAIN: Hundreds of Local Properties Affected, Some at Risk of Involuntary Taking

32 miles of High Voltage Wiring hung on giant buzzing, crackling and sparking electrical tower eye-sores are planned Through National Forest and Local Communities. Check out Nevada Hydro's transmission lines route map from September 2017 FERC filing. Is your property in the cross hairs? 


 GOT AN OPINION? TAKE THE SURVEY

Learn More: See Nevada Hydro Map of Tower Locations and Power Line Route

EMINENT DOMAIN: Hundreds of Local Properties Affected, Some at Risk of Involuntary Taking

EMINENT DOMAIN: Hundreds of Local Properties Affected, Some at Risk of Involuntary Taking

EMINENT DOMAIN: Hundreds of Local Properties Affected, Some at Risk of Involuntary Taking

Greedy pig

 Is your property on the list of properties to be taken (at "fair market price") through Eminent Domain or otherwise adversely affected by LEAPS? 


Now that Eminent Domain has been ruled OK to use for private development projects, forcible taking of property and trampling of property rights are an inevitable outcome should the Nevada Hydro project materialize in Lake Elsinore. 

Learn More: See Nevada Hydro List of Potentially Affected Properties

COMMUTER CHAOS: Ready for Thousands of Loaded Semi-trucks Crawling up Ortega Highway?

EMINENT DOMAIN: Hundreds of Local Properties Affected, Some at Risk of Involuntary Taking

INCREASED FIRE RISK - Power Lines Would Hinder Firefighting, Endanger Homes and First Responders

Truck wreck on Ortega Highway

 We have all gotten behind that one truck that can't seem to go more than 20 mph uphill and can't pull over because getting going again is very difficult. This project will result in thousands of trips by loaded semi trucks as Nevada Hydro builds the upper dam. These construction activities will not only generate horrendous congestion and pollution in Lake Elsinore, they will KILL YOUR COMMUTE during a period of 2-5 YEARS.


The company says materials will be sourced from the mountain as they drill tunnels into the mountainside. 

INCREASED FIRE RISK - Power Lines Would Hinder Firefighting, Endanger Homes and First Responders

INCREASED FIRE RISK - Power Lines Would Hinder Firefighting, Endanger Homes and First Responders

INCREASED FIRE RISK - Power Lines Would Hinder Firefighting, Endanger Homes and First Responders

High tension power line consumed by flames

According to statements made by Nevada Hydro:

 1. The proposed type of power lines do not cause fires, and,  2. In case of a fire they would be de-energized for safety. Given the area's heavy reliance on firefighting aircraft of all sizes, during frequent wild-land fire events, adding 32 miles of potentially deadly towers and high tension wires to the mix makes no sense. AIRCRAFT CANNOT OPERATE NEAR POWER LINES. 


Learn about the area's Fire History: 

1959 Decker Canyon Fire 

 1989 - 3,000 Acre Fire

2010 - 50 Acre Fire

2013 Falls Fire

2015 - Brush Fire

2017 - 54 Acre Fire

2018 Holy Fire

9/05/2019 - 1,400 Acre Tenaja Fire


But Wait.... They Have a Fire Plan!

NEVADA HYDRO SUBMITTED A FIRE PLAN TO US FOREST SERVICE - IT DID NOT GO WELL. Learn More

Read the Fire Study Commissioned by Nevada Hydro - Power Lines would be a Huge Problem for Firefighting Aircraft

WATER QUALITY - More Aeration and Adding Some Water will NOT Clear Up Lake Elsinore's Water.

INCREASED FIRE RISK - Power Lines Would Hinder Firefighting, Endanger Homes and First Responders

WATER QUALITY - More Aeration and Adding Some Water will NOT Clear Up Lake Elsinore's Water.

Lake Elsinore Mountain Views from across the lake

Studies show artificial aeration is good in the right lake types but does not help control elevated nutrient content loads, which are the main contributor to green micro-flora in Lake Elsinore.


The Green algae color is a result of high phosphorus and other nutrients present in the waters that flow into the lake and within the lake's muddy bottom. Even if Nevada Hydro adds water during dry periods, it is the SAME nutrient-heavy water from the SAME sources and the vast majority of phosphorus is already in the muddy bottom.


Disturbing the bottom will make it worse, not better. If aeration worked for that purpose, we would have a clear blue lake by now due to the fact aeration has been in process for many years with no real impact on nutrient levels.

Learn More about the Effects of Adding Water and Aeration Efforts in Shallow Lakes - Including Lake Elsinore

LEAPS Benefits Rely on Selective Science, Uninformed Citizenry & Specious Claims

INCREASED FIRE RISK - Power Lines Would Hinder Firefighting, Endanger Homes and First Responders

WATER QUALITY - More Aeration and Adding Some Water will NOT Clear Up Lake Elsinore's Water.

Mad Scientist

 Nevada Hydro's Overblown Claims of benefits to Lake Elsinore border on laughable. Aside from temporary construction-related jobs and a brief spike in revenues from services to support these jobs, there are no benefits locally that come close to balancing the pain, damage and risk inflicted on our communities should LEAPS become a reality. 


Check back often as our own citizens comment, show evidence, and debunk many of the specious claims made about this project. STOP LEAPS!

Learn More - A FAILURE IN ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR LAKE ELSINORE STAKEHOLDERS

Are you for or Against LEAPS? Decide for Yourself

EARTHQUAKES - What About Local Earthquake Faults? What Happens When a Pumped Storage Dam Fails?

EARTHQUAKES - What About Local Earthquake Faults? What Happens When a Pumped Storage Dam Fails?

EARTHQUAKES - What About Local Earthquake Faults? What Happens When a Pumped Storage Dam Fails?

According to available fault zone maps, Nevada Hydro  LEAPS project will be built on, along or near several known fault lines in the Lake Elsinore area. 


Learn more: List of Dam Failures


Learn More: Read a 2018 Temblor article on the ELSINORE FAULT LINE'S RISK.  


See What a Dam Failure Looks Like - ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

SHHHH... Nevada Hydro Sued EVMWD for $24 Million and Got their Silence, Water & $2 Million Cash

EARTHQUAKES - What About Local Earthquake Faults? What Happens When a Pumped Storage Dam Fails?

EARTHQUAKES - What About Local Earthquake Faults? What Happens When a Pumped Storage Dam Fails?

EVMWD - Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District building

The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, which owns an easement over Lake Elsinore's water, is quiet on this project. Why would the owner of the lake's water easement have nothing to say? Because they conveniently settled a lawsuit brought by Nevada Hydro. Thanks to Nevada Hydro's litigation against our water district, EVMWD is not only LEGALLY OBLIGATED to procure water for LEAPS, they must also do whatever Nevada Hydro wants them to do to facilitate the delivery of water. EVMWD is prevented from saying anything negative about this project after getting spanked in court by Nevada Hydro for breach of contract when they broke up. It's like they have to act as a Nevada Hydro partner but don't have to take any heat from residents... EVMWD already spent over $4 million of ratepayers money on this project, in addition to the settlement for $2 million it paid Nevada Hydro. GUESS WHO IS ON THE HOOK FOR THIS? ANYONE ELSE GET THEIR EVMWD RATE HIKE NOTICE???

Read Settlement Details of the $24 million Lawsuit Nevada Hydro Filed Against our Water District

Remember ENRON? That's Where LEAPS Came From

EARTHQUAKES - What About Local Earthquake Faults? What Happens When a Pumped Storage Dam Fails?

Residents, Organizations and Government Entities Oppose LEAPS. No One Wants it.

Enron gets Justice

What if we told you this was originally an ENRON project and the individual in charge of LEAPS was part of ENRON's executive leadership team during ENRON's criminal misadventures in Western States including California? 

When Nevada Hydro began pushing this project, the idea was to buy low and sell high. Pump when energy is cheap and generate power when it can be sold at a higher rate. Well this approach has been modified since the realities of energy markets today do not support the spread required to make a profit. 

The company is now proposing a model where electric ratepayers are expected to pay around $170 million per YEAR to support operations. This is called a Transmission Rate Incentive. This is why the two powerlines, not the single originally-proposed line, are key. No powerlines means they cannot be elegible for funds that energy transmission line operators receive, and the project dies. 

The ENRON Fiasco - Largest Bankruptcy ever at the time - $74 Billion in Losses

Residents, Organizations and Government Entities Oppose LEAPS. No One Wants it.

Environmental, Economic and Cultural Impacts: Dams are Being Decommissioned and Taken Down

Residents, Organizations and Government Entities Oppose LEAPS. No One Wants it.

Checklist

Residents, government officials, Municipal Governments, native American tribes and civic organizations oppose LEAPS. 


Many who fought and defeated this Nevada Hydro project in the past have been caught unaware of its latest reincarnation targeting Lake Elsinore. 


  GOT AN OPINION? TAKE THE SURVEY 

Learn More: If you Oppose LEAPS - You're in Good COmpany

Environmental, Economic and Cultural Impacts: Dams are Being Decommissioned and Taken Down

Environmental, Economic and Cultural Impacts: Dams are Being Decommissioned and Taken Down

Environmental, Economic and Cultural Impacts: Dams are Being Decommissioned and Taken Down

Earth

In a time when California is actively removing obsolete dams for environmental reasons, why would Nevada Hydro Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage project LEAPS be the exception?


ADVERSE IMPACT ON 

- Native American Sites Cultural Heritage 

- Endangered Species

- Decker Canyon Ecology

- Commuters

- Property owners and residents

- 32 miles of giant towers and 500 KV wiring

- Firefighting operations interference

- Damage to national forest

- No real benefits to Lake Elsinore

Learn More: Environmental and Cultural Impacts

LEAPS - The Long, Painful, Expensive History of a Project that Refuses to Die

Environmental, Economic and Cultural Impacts: Dams are Being Decommissioned and Taken Down

Environmental, Economic and Cultural Impacts: Dams are Being Decommissioned and Taken Down

Boogeyman Power Lines on Lake Elsinore

From a well-intentioned local project began by EVMWD to a supplier attempting to force a project into existence despite solid local, regional and state  opposition. How did we get here?


Learn more: 

City of Lake Elsinore Presentation April 2019

City of Lake Elsinore Officially Votes to OPPOSE  

(click LEAPS agenda item on left of screen)


Learn more about LEAPS' Historical Context:

Link to 2008-2009 Grand Jury Report 

Check out Nevada Hydro's Transmission Lines Route Map HERE

SELECTED COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO LEAPS

If LEAPS is so Great, Where is the YES on LEAPS Crowd?

Sierra Club Champions Environmentally Beneficial Projects - It Opposes LEAPS.

Sierra Club Champions Environmentally Beneficial Projects - It Opposes LEAPS.

"If this Nevada Hydro project is so wonderful and there is so much public support, where are all the pro-LEAPS groups? Pro-LEAPS yard signs? Where are the pro-LEAPS websites? How about pro-LEAPS community meetings and signature gathering events? Where are the pro-LEAPS elected officials? Any pro-LEAPS volunteers being galvanized in the valley extolling the virtues of the project? Any pro-LEAPS rallies? The answer is NO, there aren't any, and for good reason. This is not a liberal vs conservative issue. LEAPS is an existential threat to Lake Elsinore and mountain residents' quality of life. STOP LEAPS!" 

C. HOEY | El Cariso Village

Sierra Club Champions Environmentally Beneficial Projects - It Opposes LEAPS.

Sierra Club Champions Environmentally Beneficial Projects - It Opposes LEAPS.

Sierra Club Champions Environmentally Beneficial Projects - It Opposes LEAPS.

 "While we strongly support environmentally beneficial methods of energy storage in support of renewable energy the Sierra Club is deeply concerned about the impacts to wildlife, the environment, and the individuals who regularly use and enjoy the lands that will be affected by the LEAPS project, including the Cleveland National Forest, Lake Elsinore, and surrounding areas. This project will be extremely detrimental to wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, and the citizens who enjoy hiking, backpacking, photography, wildlife viewing, scientific study, and living in the area." 

SIERRA CLUB  |  8/23/2017

Don't Trash our Dream Home

Sierra Club Champions Environmentally Beneficial Projects - It Opposes LEAPS.

Don't Trash our Dream Home

The power lines would go up extremely close to our home, almost literally in our backyard.  We moved to our dream home in the country 6 years ago and have been building our home since then.  


We are devastated at the idea that this could happen.  This would adversely affect our property value, view, safety and health.  We have young children... please, please, please stop this from happening! 

B. NAVARRETE |  Murrieta

Lost Home Sale in La Cresta Thanks to LEAPS

Lost Home Sale in La Cresta Thanks to LEAPS

Lost Home Sale in La Cresta Thanks to LEAPS

My husband and I own a residence in La Cresta. We currently have our house for sale. The proposed pathway of the Electrical towers and wires run 1 mile away from our home across the Cleveland National Forest.
We had a qualified CASH buyer for our home, that wanted to purchase it, but did not because they did not like how close the electrical towers and wires would be to our home. WE LOST THE SALE OF THIS HOUSE TO THAT BUYER BECAUSE OF THE PROPOSED LEAPS PROJECT.

Nevada Hydro and the LEAPS project is responsible for the total loss of value of our home. We intend to hold Nevada Hydro monetarily accountable to us for the full value of our home.

T & L Brooks | La Cresta

Money Grubbing, Not Energy or Lake Health

Lost Home Sale in La Cresta Thanks to LEAPS

Lost Home Sale in La Cresta Thanks to LEAPS

We are strongly opposed to Nevada Hydro's proposed LEAPS (Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Station) this project and the high voltage towers will destroy section of the Cleveland National Forest. We are in a high risk fire area, the towers will prevent any aircraft from fighting any fires in the area. 


This project will not meet the requirements of 100% renewable energy by 2045. It is not a renewable source of energy. In my opinion this is just a quick money grab by this company and will end up costing the rate payers millions. Please share you stance on this issue.

L. Hoffman  |  El Cariso Village

Nothing in LEAPS for Local Communities

Lost Home Sale in La Cresta Thanks to LEAPS

Bad for Home Values, Unacceptable Fire Risk

The leaps project is not for the benefit of our local communities. Meanwhile it will disrupt our commuting traffic, it will affect the ecosystems of our lake and our National Forest as well as creating  flooding concerns (the reservoir would be at an elevation well above our communities, on our side of the mountain as well as on the Orange County side and the fact that our whole area is on fault lines that are active on a daily basis causing potential reservoir breaches) and fire concerns (ie: PG&E fires being caused by power lines), not to mention the eyesore of the power lines and using our water-level sensitive lake as its source and it is for profit, where as, I don't believe utilities should be a for profit system. I AM ADAMANTLY AGAINST THIS PROJECT!

R. Macsinka  |  Lake Elsinore

Bad for Home Values, Unacceptable Fire Risk

Bad for Home Values, Unacceptable Fire Risk

Bad for Home Values, Unacceptable Fire Risk

I am a resident of both Lakeland Village and Tenaja communities. LEAPS would  severely alter my daily commute from Lakeland Village and reduce my growing home value ten fold. It would pose a huge fire risk to my family's property in Tenaja, take a significant piece of that property by eminent domain for power line construction, and ruin the natural habitat my family has fought so hard to maintain.

H. Dickerson |  Tenaja

Take this Project and Shove It

Bad for Home Values, Unacceptable Fire Risk

Take this Project and Shove It

I am so thoroughly outraged by this underhanded, shady deal that does nothing but destroy our community.  


As a resident and homeowner of this already neglected community, we simply won't stand for it.  


This is our home and these our are lives.  Go plunder for your precious energy elsewhere.

J. Doran  |  Lake Elsinore

Commuter Nightmare

Bad for Home Values, Unacceptable Fire Risk

Take this Project and Shove It

The commute through the Ortega Highway is already horrific. Many of us spend 10 hours or more on  the Ortega each week. This would cause additional hardship on those of us that commute. The increased traffic may result in more frustrated commuters driving recklessly. The Ortega already claims lives at an unprecedented rate, why increase this risk? Please put the hard working community members first and stop a project that will negatively affect thousands of blue collar workers.

J. Gillespie  |  Menifee

Stay Out of Lake Elsinore, Decker Canyon

Stay Out of Lake Elsinore, Decker Canyon

Stay Out of Lake Elsinore, Decker Canyon

When this concept first reared it's stupid head my first concern was for the lake.  After 55 years in the valley I've seen all the bad ideas starting with Plan C and here's one more. In addition to the pumped air and the reclaimed water feeding the algae crop, Nevada Hydro needs a catch basin so they can go on line whenever too many San Diegans use the toaster. This lake isn't a water supply to make electricity, grind wheat or anything else. It's where the San Jacinto River goes to die.  Leave it all alone. Stay out of the Lake Elsinore and stay out of Decker Canyon.

E. Hughes  |  Lake Elsinore

No Concern for Lake Health or Residents

Stay Out of Lake Elsinore, Decker Canyon

Stay Out of Lake Elsinore, Decker Canyon

I believe Nevada Hydro thought they could come into a small community and bully them for their gain & resources. They have no interest in our rehabilitating our lake for the good of the community. 


The lake will be used to promote their greedy project. The jobs that they say that will be available is a farce. They are not going to hire inexperienced people from this Valley for their project. I pray to God , LEAPS is not approved. Nevada Hydro does not belong in Lake Elsinore.

D. Hutchinson  |  Lake Elsinore

Destroying Homeowners' Dreams

Stay Out of Lake Elsinore, Decker Canyon

Destroying Homeowners' Dreams

My husband and I just moved to an area up in the hills because we love nature and our peaceful surroundings. This project is a fire danger.  This is a high fire zone. This project will present a danger to habitat , animals ,and people.  It will make the purchase of fire insurance more difficult then it is, negatively impact the value of properties, destroy the views of the National Cleveland  Forest.  In addition, access to stage this project will require use of our roads  increasing traffic and wear and tare of our roads which though the public can use, the roads are maintained by the residents of this community.

T. Skinner  |  Murrieta

LEAPS a Terrible Idea

LEAPS Will Shatter Peace and Quiet, Trash Views

Destroying Homeowners' Dreams

I am STRONGLY against this project. I helped fight the last time it was presented to our community. I am disgusted by NH and their lack of effort to notify the communities this project will consume. To this day I talk to people that have no idea what LEAPS is as well as the transition lines. That’s insane. How can a project of this magnitude go under the radar. The people who are wanting this are acting like rats. They hide in corners and scurry when others can’t see them.  


The reasons for not wanting this project and the transition lines is a list that can go on and on.  The visuals of both items is horrendous. The destruction that would have to occur is insurmountable.  The displacement of residents is unfair. The residents that have to live next to it is not the dream they had when they bought or even rented their spaces. The residents and visitors or tourist are being stripped of the natural beauty only Lake Elsinore has. NH wants to corrupt the only natural lake in California. Who does that? Why would anyone allow this vandalism to a natural formation. Who thinks it’s ok to destroy a natural lake, and the Cleveland National Forest? What kind of people think this is a good idea? ... money people! That’s who. Not people who choose to live in smaller communities. Not people who don’t want to live in big cities or commercial complexes. If LE residents want to live in an industrious environment they would move, not welcome it into their back yard, much less to the lake frontage.


Let’s not forget the fires. The Holy Fire. Did you live in it? Did you get evacuated? Did you personally witness the heroic effort that went into fighting that fire. I mean, standing in your yard for days watching the fire, the fight, the fear, the damage... I did! If it were not for air support  firefighting that fire it would have decimated so many communities. There is no fix for that. Putting transmission lines up is only sealing our fate. It’s making the job of firefighting a highly fatal job, for this community surrounded by forest.  Do you want that job? 

G. Collins  |  Lake Elsinore

LEAPS Will Shatter Peace and Quiet, Trash Views

LEAPS Will Shatter Peace and Quiet, Trash Views

LEAPS Will Shatter Peace and Quiet, Trash Views

As a resident of Lake Elsinore for 18 years, my husband, young son and I strongly oppose LEAPS. Every reason we chose to buy a home and live in Lake Elsinore, CA for 18 years would be damaged forever with a project like LEAPS. We enjoy natural beauty with a view of Lake Elsinore and the Ortega Mountains from our property. We enjoy the peace and quiet in our neighborhood. We feel safe. We know our hilltop view, which we paid an added premium to the home developer to have, will never be destroyed and/or obstructed. The more information I read about this project the more I oppose it. The safety concerns alone should cancel this project. Active earthquake fault parallel to Lake Elsinore, interference with successful firefighting work, noise and air pollution are all valid reasons to oppose this project. Also, the city has spent much time and resources attracting people to visit the lake to participate in recreation like boating and fishing.

Please give thoughtful and complete consideration to oppose and remove LEAPS from ever becoming a reality in Lake Elsinore, CA. 

A. Bradley  |  Lake Elsinore


LEAPS a Major Fire Hazard to COmmunities with Limited Access

This project would interrupt a growing community. Furthermore, it would establish a significant fire hazard for a region that is already prone to wildfires. There is no purpose other than the north-south power lines for this project and even those power lines are deemed unnecessary by the San Diego power governance. In the projected power line area, there are several hundred residents who have only two viable exit routes in the event tht they have to evacuate and many of these residents have horses and donkeys to transport in the event of fire. Only one of the two escape routes is able to accommodate horse trailers, that is Clinton Keith.  Another reason to prevent these power lines is the use of the airspace by Camp Pendleton's helicopters for  training purposes. The lines represent a clear and present danger for the pilots and crews as they train for our nation's defense. 

P. Millington  |  Murrieta

Congestion, Earthquakes, Populated Area, Enron

LEAPS Will Shatter Peace and Quiet, Trash Views

LEAPS Will Shatter Peace and Quiet, Trash Views

The valley, family, friends and National Forest depends on this not being implemented. This would deviate National Forest land, animal habitat and breeding grounds and it would make Ortega more congested adding Semi Trucks at peak hours. Being extremely close to earthquake fault lines, the failing of this Dam would devastate west of Decker Canyon and beyond the candy store area if any problems occur to the Dam, the water would flow right out of the a curves west of the candy store and down Ortega Highway (without warning). The families, homes, livestock, pets and commuters would be killed...this is all an act of greed for a big company profit.

It would cost more money and electricity to pump out the water from our lake (dropping property values for many) up over 2300ft into decker canyon reservoir (which they have to build as well), then it would not even generate equivalent amount of electricity it was needing to get it up the mountain then selling it back to San Diego at a higher rate  not even to the elsinore valley which is directly impacted by this absurd project.

There is about 60 of these hydro plants in the Nation, there's only 4 that are next to an physical water source and this one would be the only one around a populous area. So why here.

They State that they are buying water to replenish the lake, why don't they purchase water and go out out in their own backyard, or eastern San Diego County... There's plenty of dead space there.

 Oh and I should not fail to mention... The people that were behind Enron are behind this!!!

This is a ridiculous proposal with no positive outcome for the valley.

S. Rosenberg  |  Lake Elsinore

Major Fires, Unique Wind Patterns, High Risk

Nevada Hydro's LEAPS Bad News for Communities

Nevada Hydro's LEAPS Bad News for Communities

I live off Ortega Highway in Rancho Capistrano just above Lake Elsinore. The only access from my house to get into Lake Elsinore or Orange County is via Ortega Highway.  Traffic and congestion is already a major issue along with road closures at times and having a project that negatively impacts this small 2 lane highway even more would be devastating to those of us who do not have another option for getting to and from home.  Additionally, as a resident in an area already at high risk for major fires and the unique winds that create the Elsinore effect I believe this project will put our forest,  property,  and lives at even greater risk.  Power lines and companies like this have been proven to have caused some of the worst fires in California history recently. Why would we knowingly allow another project with similar fire risks be put up in such a high risk area. It is already proven and known that fires in this area because of things like the Elsinore effect are harder to put out and fight so I don't understand how any organization or government body could even consider approving and allowing such high risks activities and power lines.  Lastly,  the damage to the forest and impact of this project is not worth something that won't even benefit the residents within the area being compromised. Why should we be asked to take so great a risk for residents of other counties who receive the majority, if not all, the benefits.

R. Hambly  |  Rancho Capistrano

Nevada Hydro's LEAPS Bad News for Communities

Nevada Hydro's LEAPS Bad News for Communities

Nevada Hydro's LEAPS Bad News for Communities

This project is bad news for Lake Elsinore and it's residents.  It will diminish our home values, destroy over 32 miles of life-giving forest to be replaced with man-made high voltage power lines, and steal 500 homes and properties from hard-working people who spent their lives achieving a dream only to have it stolen away.  It will destroy our beautiful lake and place upon it an unsightly utility building with large pipes heading up in what is currently a picturesque mountain.  It will harm the local wildlife, cause traffic and congestion, hurt the local economy, etc.  There are just too many negative consequences to list.  There are zero positives for our city.  Those who benefit, do not even live here and the harm to the environment is far more damaging than the minuscule amount of good it does to San Diego power grid.

G. Cangemi  |  Lake Elsinore


Temescal Valley

We live in the Holy Fire burn zone and do not want large electric lines running next to our community. Environmental impact and fire potential are huge problems not being addressed sufficiently by Nevada Hydro! Also the money made by this program will not stay in Riverside County so we get zero benefit from LEAPS!

C. Hafner  |  Temescal Valley


La Cresta, Santa Rosa Plateau Speak Out

Nevada Hydro's LEAPS Bad News for Communities

La Cresta, Santa Rosa Plateau Speak Out

La Cresta

We built our home in LaCresta because we fell in love with the peaceful, quiet nature of the area. Putting the big power lines in and killing the fish in Lake Elsinore, and creating a visual calamity would steal value from all of our homes.


We honestly feel it is a huge mistake to allow this project to proceed and strongly implore it to stop... Now. It is not welcome.

T. Pilkington  |  La Cresta


Santa Rosa Plateau Communities (SRPC)with over 2000 people and a greater amount of livestock,  have only 4 possible egress points for which  2 would be impacted by the power line route.  This area is all HIGH RISK and EXTREMELY HIGH RISK FIRE AREAS.  By further limiting egress points for a developed area that already has too few egress points ENDANGERS LIVES as well as restricts fire fighting.

D. S. Palmer  |  Santa Rosa Plateau Communities


Outsider Nevada Hydro has No Right

High Fire Danger, Loss of Life's Work in De Luz

La Cresta, Santa Rosa Plateau Speak Out

I don't feel that the city of Lake Elsinore and its surrounding communities' best interests are at hand here. We have a way of life that we've worked hard to build, improve and maintain. The idea that some entity from outside of our area will create unwanted changes to our livelihoods and our lifestyle is absurd and is beyond me.  We stand in unity together to fight this to the end.

R. Macsinka  |  Lake Elsinore

Drastic Environmental Damage

High Fire Danger, Loss of Life's Work in De Luz

High Fire Danger, Loss of Life's Work in De Luz

I am totally against the LEAPS project.  Not only will it cause drastic environmental damage to the Cleveland Natl. Forest, but make the area non-accessible to Fire-fighting equipment and air support to fight all the fires in the area.   High-voltage power lines will litter our beautiful mountain views with huge metal towers.  People will lose their homes to Eminent Domain.   Our lake and fisheries will suffer.

M. Santos  |  Lake Elsinore

High Fire Danger, Loss of Life's Work in De Luz

High Fire Danger, Loss of Life's Work in De Luz

High Fire Danger, Loss of Life's Work in De Luz

 We were not informed about this project, or the true consequence of this project. It will destroy or land that we have worked hard to live in DeLuz. In a high fire area, 


Cal Fire won't be able to defend our lives or property, or the Firemen that protect us. Always about someone making money at others expense. 

L. Mayne  |  De Luz

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