Looking to take an eco-friendly vacation? Well, your resort options just got bigger with the announcement that Catalyx Inc., has been contracted to build a 100% Eco-Tourism resort owned by the Ramona Band of the Cahuilla Indian Tribe.

This energy friendly resort will be located in the Anza Valley which is near San Diego, California. It is designed to operate completely off-the-grid by employing several alternative energy technologies to meet all of its energy needs. The site will reuse much of its own waste byproducts, such as sewage, biogas and restaurant food waste, and the completed project is expected to produce 1 megawatt-Hr (1000 KW-hrs) per day of renewable energy, with propane as a back up energy source until the project is complete.

“We want to create a truly natural retreat which mirrors our ancestral heritage of living in harmony with Mother Earth,” said John Gomez, Cultural Director for the Ramona Band.“When finished, this resort will not be a burden on the environment. All energy will be renewable and all waste and wastewater will be recycled.” 

Phase one is expected to be complete in August, 2009 and is being made possible by a joint venture between the Ramona Band, the Department of Energy, the United States Department of Agriculture, and multiple other Federal agencies. Upon completion it will offer visitors a peaceful retreat and an educational experience about the Native American culture, habitat, natural remedies, and care of the environment through the use of green energy and sustainable lifestyle practices. 

Gomez noted, “This resort will be a model for other tribes to generate revenues for themselves in a more appealing manner that is true to their heritage.” 

Catalyx, Inc. will provide multiple renewable energy and water treatment technologies as well as contract with third parties for additional technologies to be used at the resort and throughout the reservation.