Duroville: Sustainable Green Energy Construction Project – Eco Products, Technology & Design

Duroville, California:

Duroville is the unofficial name for the Desert Mobile Home Park near Thermal, California, in Riverside County. Located on the northwestern side of the Salton Sea, in the Coachella Valley, it is close to Mecca, CA. The mobile home park sits on 40 acres within the Torres Martinez Indian Reservation. The landowner is Harvey Duro, Sr., a member of the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Tribal Council. Out of kindness, Harvey opened the property to the poor in the region and made it a safe haven from government intervention. Over time, Duroville turned from a desert oasis to an environmental health and waste management issue.

The Legal Case Against Duroville, CA:

Because the Duroville Desert Mobile Home Park is located on the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Reservation, California State and local officials have no jurisdiction. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), an agency within the US Department of the Interior, is charged with the administration and management of the 55.7 million acres of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans and Native American Tribes in the United States. In 2009, U.S. District Judge Stephen G. Larson heard arguments about closing Duroville.

Larson agreed that the park was neither safe nor healthy, but criticized the government for offering no alternative housing plan. Larson also said, “Not only did Mr. Duro violate the law — it was knowing and willful. It is clear from his demeanor and testimony that he ignored the regulations.” On May 1, 2009, Larson ruled in favor of the tenants, claiming that relocating them “would create one of the largest forced migrations in the history of this state.”

Sustainable Green Energy Construction Project Begins:

Duroville Reposition & Rebuild Development Project

• Reddiform Insulated Concrete Form – ICF Blocks
• Septic Tank – Grey Water Recycling & Reclamation
• Solaranda Passive Photovoltaic Solar Panels & Verandas to Capture Solar Energy
• GreenSwitch Wiring Technology
• Coolerado High Technology Evaporative Cooling Units – “Swamp Coolers”
• Sola-Lite Energy Efficient Appliances and Lighting Fixtures

• Mountain View Church
• Jordan’s Outreach Ministry
• Body of Christ Church
• House of Gratitude
• World Vision Supply House
• Dirt Grading, Structural Fill & Transport