Outrage over plans to build a huge Muslim cemetery in remote backcountry small town
A proposed Muslim cemetery in Pine Valley, California is causing local unrest as concerns arise about water contamination from decomposed bodies.
Pine Valley, a small rural town 45 minutes east of San Diego, has a population of 1,646, according to the recent U.S. census. A circulating one petition The opposing party has as many signatures as how many people live in the city.
SD Crescentwood Cemetery, the nonprofit advocating for the project’s implementation, is proposing to locate the cemetery on 37 acres of pristine land between Interstate 8 and Old Highway 80.
The main concern among residents is that the decomposing bodies could contaminate the Campo-Cottonwood Sole Source Aquifer, the main water source for the service area.
When a person is buried in the Muslim religion, their corpse is wrapped in a shroud and typically not embalmed, making it easier for fluids from the bodies to seep into the ground. For this reason, local residents and voting members of Campo/Lake Morena Community Planning Group (CLMCPG) are advocating against the cemetery.
Pine Valley (pictured), a small rural town 45 minutes east of San Diego, has a population of 1,646, according to the recent U.S. census
SD Crescentwood Cemetery, the nonprofit advocating for the project’s implementation, is proposing to locate the cemetery on 37 acres of pristine land between Interstate 8 and Old Highway 80 (photo: The access road was marked at the proposed cemetery in Pine Valley )
“Leachate from human remains can contaminate drinking water by seeping into the ground and entering the aquifer,” the petition points out. ‘This can happen due to cracks in the cemetery cladding, or due to the natural breakdown of the cladding over time. By-products such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, lead, arsenic and mercury.’
The nonprofit claims the cemetery would have minimal impact on the environment and would comply with all county and state regulations.
Conception of the project began in 2021 when the nonprofit applied and purchased the property between La Posta Indian Reservation and Golden Acorn Casino in 2022.
In the photo: Blueprint of where the cemetery would be located and how it would be constructed
The main concern among residents is that the decomposing bodies could contaminate the Campo-Cottonwood Sole Source Aquifer, the main water source for the service area.
In March 2023, the organization submitted an application for a Major Use Permit (MUP) to San Diego County so that grave digging could begin in late 2024.
A request for an on-site mortuary was suspended as all funeral preparations outside the site were sanctioned.
The project number of funerals that will take place per year is uncertain, but the local planning group claims that 350 funerals would take place per year. However, the Crescentwood website makes it clear that 350 graves are needed per year, but not all are necessarily used.
According to the MUP, “It is expected that approximately four funerals will take place per month.”
The province requires Crescentwood to conduct a groundwater study and hydrological study before making a decision on the project. From there, they will decide whether or not mitigation is needed.
Alan Klos, who has lived in Pine Valley for the past seven years, told the story NBC7 that he understands why the rural town is an ideal place for a cemetery.
“I mean, it’s not ideal, but unfortunately those who left do need a place to be buried, and I really can’t think of many more beautiful areas than here,” Klos said. “As long as they’re careful, I don’t really see a problem with it.”
Pictured: diagram of the cemetery’s zoning
The nonprofit claims the cemetery would have minimal impact on the environment and would comply with all county and state regulations
The project number of funerals that would take place per year is uncertain, but the local planning group claims that 350 funerals would take place per year
Pictured: A map of the Campo-Cottonwood Sole Source Aquifer
But he also made it clear that he only supports the construction of the cemetery if it does not have a negative impact on the environment, “while ensuring that those buried do not contaminate groundwater.”
“You know, it doesn’t cause any environmental problems or impact the safety of the families that live here in Pine Valley and the surrounding area,” Klos said.
The project is still in its early stages and a decision from the province is not expected for at least a year.