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 about water contamination from decomposed bodies arise.

Pine Valley, a small rural town 45 minutes east of San Diego, has a population of 1,646, per the recent U.S. Census. A circulating petition opposing has just as many signatures as how many people live in the town.

SD Crescentwood Cemetery, the nonprofit advocating for the project's execution, is proposing that the burial ground be located on 37 acres of untouched land between Interstate 8 and Old Highway 80.

The main concern from residents are that the decomposing bodies could contaminate the Campo-Cottonwood Sole Source Aquifer, the primary source of water for its service area.

When a person in the Muslim religion is buried, their corpse is wrapped in a shroud and is 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 arguing against the cemetery.

Pine Valley (pictured), a small rural town 45 minutes east of San Diego, has a population of 1,646, per the recent U.S. Census

SD Crescentwood Cemetery, the nonprofit advocating for the project's execution, is proposing that the burial ground be located on 37 acres of untouched land between Interstate 8 and Old Highway 80 (Pictured: The access road was marked off on the proposed cemetery site in Pine Valley)

'Human remain leachate can contaminate drinking water by seeping into the ground and entering the aquifer,' the petition points out. 'This can happen through cracks in the cemetery's liner, or through the natural breakdown of the liner over time. Byproducts including bacteria, viruses, parasites, lead, arsenic, and mercury.'

The non-profit argues the cemetery would have minimal environmental impact and that would meet all county and state regulations. 

The project's conception began back in 2021 when the nonprofit filed an application and purchased the property between La Posta Indian Reservation and Golden Acorn Casino in 2022.

Pictured: Blueprint of where the cemetery would be located and how it would be constructed

The main concern from residents are that the decomposing bodies could contaminate the Campo-Cottonwood Sole Source Aquifer, the primary source of water for its service area

In March 2023, the organization filed for a Major Use Permit (MUP) with San Diego County so that graves could start being dug by the end of 2024.

A request for an on-site mortuary was suspended as all funeral preparations were sanctioned off site. 

The project number of burials that would take place per year is uncertain, but the local planning group alleges that there would be 350 burials a year. However, the Crescentwood website clarifies that 350 graves are needed a year, but they are not all necessarily used.

Per the MUP, 'it is anticipated that there will be approximately four burials per month.'

The county is requiring Crescentwood to conduct a groundwater investigation and hydrology study before making a decision on the project. From there, they will decide whether or not any mitigation will be required.

Alan Klos, a resident of Pine Valley for the past seven years, told NBC 7 that he understands why the rural town is an ideal place for a cemetery.

'I mean, it's not ideal but, unfortunately, those who have departed, they do need a place to be buried, and I really can't think of a whole lot of more beautiful areas than out here,' Klos said. 'As long as they're careful, I don't really see a problem with it.'

Pictured: Diagram of where the cemetery will be zoned

The non-profit argues the cemetery would have minimal environmental impact and that would meet all county and state regulations

The project number of burials that would take place per year is uncertain, but the local planning group alleges that there would be 350 burials a year

Pictured: A map of the Campo-Cottonwood Sole Source Aquifer

But he also made it clear that he only supports the cemetery being dug if it does not negatively effect the environment, 'making sure that those who have been interred aren't polluting the groundwater. 

'You know, it's not causing any sort of environmental issues or potentially affecting the safety of the families who live here in Pine Valley and in the area,' Klos said.

The project is still in the early stages and a decision from the county is not expected for at least a year.