Eco-Tourism Resort

    The first grant for the Ramona Eco-Tourism Project was submitted in 1998 to the Department of Energy (DOE) “Tribal Energy Program.” The grant dollars were available to
    any organization that could develop a project using renewable energy. A result of this project lead to complete energy self-reliance.

    All Tribal Buildings and Housing are Off- the-Grid   See larger Images

    The Ramona Band is the first Tribe to develop its entire reservation off-grid, using
    renewable energy as the primary power source. The Tribe purchased and installed
    the primary components for a 65-80 kilowatt-hours per day central wind/PV/propane
    generator hybrid system that will power the reservation's housing, offices,
    Eco-Tourism, and training businesses.

    Ninety percent of the electrical and thermal energy needed to power Tribal housing,
    offices, and Eco-Tourism and training businesses is from wind or solar energy.
    Propane is used as a back-up energy source.

    The Eco-Tourism report includes images of the off-grid project including the power building and the operating
    system equipment (including the generator and batteries).                                                                        


                                                                                                                       Resort Plans: An Eco-Tourism Cultural Resort

                                                                                                                       The tribe's cultural and economic development strategy is to establish
                                                                                                                       a highly profitable renewable energy-powered  Eco-Tourism business
                                                                                                                       on tribal land. The electricity is planned to be distributed through an
                                                                                                                       underground mini-grid.

                                                                                                                       A secondary goal is to demonstrate how renewable energy power systems
                                                                                                                       can be used to eliminate the environmental impact of electric grid power lines
                                                                                                                       on Indian lands, National Forests, National Parks, other protected areas, and
                                                                                                                       the other general rural environment.       



    Revenues to support the project in the long term will come primarily from tourism and training, not energy sales. The reservation is approximately 560 acres in size, and is
    located at the base of Thomas Mountain, in Anza, California.  Historically, it is a place where food, water, and medicine was gathered for the Cahuilla spiritual ceremonies
    and celebrations.  

               Download Important information on this project


                 







    Contact the Tribe directly:

    Tribal Chairman: Joe Hamilton
    Environmental Director: Reginald Agunwah  

    Ramona Band of Cahuilla
    56310 Highway 371, Suite B
    Anza, CA 92539
    Office: 951-763-4105
Traditional Design for Eco-Tourism
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
    77 West Jackson Boulevard - 24th Floor
    Chicago, IL   60604 800.735.3239;
For information on the Program and the "Guide to Tribal Energy Development"
visit www.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy      
Ramona Band of Cahuilla Indians copyright 2008. All rights reserved.