As you know, the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep have been present within the neighborhood adjacent to the Palmer Course and on the golf course at PGA WEST for the last seven plus years. Although the animals are stunning in appearance and a unique addition to the community, their natural habitat is not within the HOA Community, nor on the golf course. Detrimental aspects of the Bighorn at PGA WEST include:

--The food and water sources that the sheep consume in abundance in the Association and on the course may be toxic to the sheep, i.e., Oleander shrubs and increased exposure to disease

--The Bighorn Sheep have lost their instinct to avoid humans and pets. This can result in a dangerous situation for all; the bighorn are wild animals

--Numerous Bighorn Sheep have drowned in residential swimming pools and the canal

--At least one Bighorn Sheep was struck by a vehicle. The sheep charge across the streets, through common areas and the golf course, posing a hazard to themselves and humans

--The negative financial impact of the sheep destroying and consuming plants, trees, and flowers

The City of La Quinta installed a sheep barrier at Silver Rock several years ago. The plan, which is supported by the Bighorn Institute, Sierra Club, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, is for Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC) to extend the sheep barrier from Silver Rock to Lake Cahuilla. The objective is to prevent the bighorn from leaving their natural environment on the mountain. 

The question was “where to locate the fence?” Your Association Board and Management, along with representatives from CVCC, Res II, and the PGA WEST Club participated in numerous meetings deliberating a mutually agreeable path for a Bighorn Sheep barrier to be installed. The visual impact of the fence on the homes located on Canterbury Circle and Riviera, and the view from the Palmer golf course were of primary concern. Ultimately it was agreed that the fence will run parallel to the 14^th hole of the Palmer Private Course and will be hidden 35 feet behind the canal levee before moving westward up the mountain for about 750 feet until the fence continues out of sight behind the mountain ridge. Please see accompanying maps/diagrams below.

The time has come to commence the project which will keep the sheep in their natural element and allow them to thrive as nature intended. American Fence, the project contractor, was given the Notice to Proceed recently and is expected to begin work on Monday, September 19^th, 2022. Tribal monitors and biological monitors will also be present on-site west of the canal for clearance surveys.

Construction will begin where the PGA WEST section of the fence joins the Coachella Valley Water District fence, west of Avenue 54, and will proceed south approximately 1500 linear feet (Figure 1). Construction will take place Monday through Friday after 7 am on the west side of the canal and exclude holidays and weekends. We expect a small amount of noise will be detectable as equipment such as augers, cement mixers, and jackhammers could be used during this section. This section should be completed by mid-October.

At that time, construction will shift to the Lake Cahuilla section of the fence to complete sections around the equestrian camp. The remaining portion of the fence on the PGA WEST golf club property will turn west and continue “over the ridge” towards Lake Cahuilla County Park. Phase 1 of the fence will begin at Avenue 54 and finish at Avenue 58 near The Cove to Lake Trail and take approximately 18 months to complete (See Figure 2).

CVCC has agreed to collaborate with Association and Club Representatives regarding camouflaging the fence to minimize the visibility of the fence as much as possible. The Club and if applicable the Association will advise CVCC of upcoming events to ensure that the proposed construction schedule does not interfere with Club events or Association activities. 

We are grateful to work with the CVCC Team as they take proactive steps to protect and preserve the endangered Peninsular Bighorn species.

For additional information please refer to https://cvmshcp.org/

La Quinta Bighorn Sheep Fence -

Phase 1 Sections by landowner

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Temporary Construction Access Area

and Direction of Travel Phase I

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