Heard Around Town: Waiting on the Record

Oct 1, 2025

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Inyo County has confirmed that it is still in the process of negotiating the concessionaire contract with the selected respondent for the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools. As a result, officials say, TecopaCabana’s public records request related to the submitted applications remains on hold. “This PRA will be resumed once negotiations are complete,” the county stated in its latest communication.

“They did a walk through with the county two days ago and found out some of the requirements to open and are hoping 2 to 3 weeks have it open,” said Dan Leseberg, Tecopa’s newest EMT and bartender at Death Valley Brewing, said of the incoming concessionaire, writing to the community on the Facebook chat Happyville. “Too bad it all happened late in the summer. They are working on it though!”

In the meantime, some locals are opting for the local Borehole Spring, a wild hot spring on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land just outside Tecopa.

For those following along, the timing underscores the complexity of finalizing management agreements for one of Tecopa’s most visible public assets. The hot springs have long been a crossroads of community values, economic opportunity, and questions of public access. Each stage of the contracting process has drawn close local attention, with residents voicing concerns over costs and the long-term vision for the park.

While the contract remains under negotiation, our records request represents a reminder of the community’s stake in the outcome. Many locals see access to documents not only as a matter of law, but as an essential step in maintaining trust between county officials, private operators, and the people who live alongside the springs.

As always, we’ll keep you posted when the paper trail resumes.

Restaurant at Delight’s Hot Springs to Reopen With Tacos

Word around Tecopa is that the long-quiet restaurant space at Delight’s Hot Springs Resort—also known as Death Valley Hot Springs—will reopen in just two weeks, this time serving tacos.

The property, a popular stop for overnight guests and day-soakers alike, shuttered its on-site brewery and BBQ restaurant last year while the building underwent code updates required before it could resume operations as a dining establishment. For a full season, the kitchen remained dark, leaving regulars and visitors alike wondering when, or if, food service might return.

Now, locals say the upgrades are complete and the restaurant is set to welcome diners again. The new taco-focused menu marks a shift from past offerings, while the reopening arrives just as cooler desert months bring a seasonal influx of travelers to the pools.

A revived restaurant promises not only to serve resort guests but also to expand the limited dining options in Tecopa, where the rhythm of openings and closures often shapes the town’s social life.

Tecopa Palms Granted Rare Exemption From Chemical Disinfection

The recent exemption granted to Tecopa Palms Therapeutics Hot Springs Resort is noteworthy because it makes the facility the only hot springs in Tecopa currently operating according to regulations without continuous bromine or chlorine disinfection, according to Inyo County Environmental Health Director Jerry Oser.

Under California State Pool Codes, all public hot spring pools are required to maintain disinfectant levels with either chlorine or bromine to control bacteria and other harmful organisms. However, the county noted in the answers provided during the their recent campground RFP process, “If the pools have a high enough natural flow rate, operators may request exemption from continuous disinfection.”

That exemption now applies to Tecopa Palms. Oser confirmed: “Currently, Tecopa Palms is the only facility with the exemption.” The decision followed a sequence of inspections and water tests earlier this year.

Inspections, Complaints, and Compliance Efforts

On November 19, 2024, an inspection recorded a disinfectant residual of just 0.04 ppm, far below the 2.0 ppm required by state code. The inspector noted: “Per operator, chlorine or bromine are not added to spring water.”

A few months later, a complaint filed on February 22, 2025 alleged unsanitary conditions at the resort. According to county inspection records, the complainant reported: “Complainant used pool on 2/22/25 and noticed a slippery, slimy residual. Afterwards the complainant did not feel well and went to a doctor, who diagnosed a UTI.”

This triggered a new inspection on February 27, 2025, which again measured bromine at 0.04 ppm. However, the inspector also wrote: “I touched side of spa and steps – did not feel slimy.”

Following the February inspection, Oser issued a March 10, 2025 compliance letter, reminding the operator that state law requires a disinfectant residual unless a pool consistently meets the flow-through exemption standard in Health and Safety Code Section 65531. He emphasized the public health risks of untreated spas, including Legionella, Pseudomonas, and E. coli. “I recognize that your goal is to provide a natural, therapeutic experience for your guests, but the safety of spa users must come first,” he wrote.

Subsequent bacterial testing produced mixed results: the April 22 sample showed coliform present but E. coli absent, while the May 19 sample showed absence of both coliform and E. coli. After the passing May result, the county granted Tecopa Palms an exemption via email. Moving forward, the resort must submit monthly water samples during the operating season to maintain compliance.

A History of Trial and Error

The exemption carries echoes of Tecopa’s past. In the 1990s, as the California Pool Code was first implemented, county officials tested whether local hot spring baths could meet standards without disinfectants. Results were inconsistent, and failures became common when pools were crowded. Facilities—also including Delight’s Hot Springs, the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground, and Tecopa Hot Springs Resort—eventually adopted bromine as a more reliable solution than monthly lab testing.

Other operators continue to face challenges. In February 2025, Tecopa Hot Springs Resort tested at 0.14 ppm bromine, and Tecopa Hot Springs Campground at 0.3 ppm—both below the required 2.0 ppm. A September 2024 complaint inspection also documented algae on the sidewalls of Delight’s Hot Springs’ outdoor satellite pools. These records suggest that substandard disinfectant levels are not unique.

A Different Path

The current operators of Tecopa Palms, Ray and Yvonne Reed, chose to pursue the exemption as part of their philosophy against chemical disinfectants. In comments posted in August, Ray Reed described the difficulty of passing the strict “zero coliform” test:

“Mr. Oser shared with me that it’s virtually impossible to pass the ‘0’ tolerance for total coliform test. It’s not just about fecal matter or pant base organisms, causing coliform – it’s about any coliform period. How did I eventually pass the tests? Constant grief – CONSTANT.”

He described a rigorous process for ensuring pool users are thoroughly clean before bathing:

“To test ‘0’ for total coliform I have learned by trial and error, that it takes constant inspecting the water in the pools after each person or people exit the private pool. I must ensure (guarantee) that anyone entering the pools have thoroughly showered, with absolutely no makeup or bathing suits on including all shoes being left outside… Their body must be free of bacteria, dirt, and their mid sections clean. No swimming suits. EVER. Swimming suits carry body secretions from the front and the back.”

Looking Ahead

By passing the May test, Tecopa Palms secured an exemption that sets it apart from its neighbors. The approval allows the resort to reopen this season under its chosen system, though it comes with the responsibility of strict monthly bacterial testing and the risk that failure to meet standards could reinstate the chemical requirement.

“Mr. Reed will need to take monthly samples when the season picks up again,” Oser tells TecopaCabana. “I do want to reiterate that the water for this test comes from the pool itself and not a sample tap or faucet, and that’s why it’s so hard to pass. Any water exposed to the environment is prone to coliform contamination, and why coliforms are a good indicator organism for bigger problems.”

For now, Tecopa Palms stands alone in Tecopa as the only resort operating legally without continuous bromine or chlorine disinfection.

Death Valley National Park: Tourism Dollars, Storm Damage, and a Looming Shutdown

Tourists visiting Dante’s View, photo via Death Valley National Park

Two recent announcements from Death Valley National Park highlight both the region’s economic significance and its fragility—while national headlines add a new layer of uncertainty.

A new National Park Service report shows that in 2024, Death Valley hosted 1,440,484 visitors, generating an estimated $146 million in spending in nearby communities. According to Superintendent Mike Reynolds, the relationship between the park and its surrounding towns is “symbiotic.” Visitors rely on local businesses for food, lodging, and supplies, while their purchases support jobs and economic vitality. Of the total spending, about $47 million went toward hotels and $28 million toward restaurants, with additional dollars flowing into camping, groceries, fuel, and retail. Nationwide, visitors to national parks contributed $29 billion to gateway economies.

Even as tourism bolsters the region, nature has reminded travelers of the desert’s volatility. On September 18, the remnants of Tropical Storm Mario dropped 0.6 inches of rain at Furnace Creek—nearly a quarter of the park’s average annual rainfall in one night. The sudden deluge sent mud and rocks surging across roadways, forcing the closure of Badwater Road, North Highway, West Side Road, Twenty Mule Team Canyon, Cottonwood–Marble Roads, Mustard Canyon, and Keane Wonder Mine Road. Major routes such as CA-190, Daylight Pass, and Dantes View remain open, but staff continue to assess damage, with further closures possible. Visitors are urged to check current conditions before traveling.

Storm damage after Tropical Storm Mario, photo via Death Valley National Park

Now, a third challenge looms: the possibility of a federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has warned that, absent a funding agreement, national parks could be forced to close entirely. Without adequate staff, open gates would leave sensitive areas vulnerable to vandalism, looting, and off-roading—damage witnessed during the 35-day shutdown of 2018–2019. At that time, Death Valley’s campgrounds saw sanitation problems, while fragile archaeological sites were scarred by illegal vehicles.

The NPCA notes that the Park Service has already lost nearly a quarter of its permanent workforce since January, raising the stakes of a shutdown even higher. “If the federal government shuts down, unfortunately our parks should too,” said Theresa Pierno, the association’s president, citing the risks to natural and cultural resources when parks are left open but unprotected.

Taken together, the updates capture the paradox facing Death Valley and its neighbors: a park that powers local economies and draws millions each year, yet remains deeply exposed to both natural forces and political decisions far beyond the desert horizon.

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Comments

One response to “Heard Around Town: Waiting on the Record”

Raymond Reed

October 1, 2025

First, let me apologize for the length of this clarification. I have noticed no one ever leaves a comment except me. Go figure. This means everyone supports the author except me. One and done.
Our name is not Tecopa Palms. Our legal name is Tecopa Palms Therapeutic Hot Springs Resort. We sometimes shorten it to Therapeutic Hot Springs Resort. Tecopa Palms is no longer in business.

Maybe those that enjoy pointing their fingers at others can “at least” get our name right when casting their stones. Thank you for highlighting the very rare exemption that Tecopa Palms Therapeutic Hot Springs Resort has of not having total coliform or e-coli in our pools that substantiates the use of Cl or Br. A cellular mutgen that can cause cancer.

The EPA has requested and Inyo County has complied with the restrictions of chlorine and bromine in this EPA habitat from which our effluent water drains into. Inyo County reduced this water to 2ppm to meet the minimum requirements request from the EPA authority over this habitat. I have no idea why the other establishments have a 2 ppm requirement. California requires a 4 ppm minimum requirement. I quote, “In California, the required minimum bromine residual for public spas and hot tubs, including mineral hot pools, is 4.0 parts per million (ppm).

Yes our effluent water from the mineral pools was reduced to 2 ppm due to the request of the EPA. But, why the other pools ?
The information you provided that a person reported to Inyo County that she did not feel well after leaving here, about seeing a doctor because she contacted e-coli here and subsequently suffered from an UTI from this resort – is not factual. In fact it is a lie. But she had a reason ! How does one tear down one park with a 1 star rating even when its a lie, which by so doing lowers their star ratings to make another park look better?

I am in the process of 2 ongoing litigation’s. One such litigation is with this person who immediately removed her allegations from Yelp. Which one would think this author would do the same – wouldn’t one. Nope – nada. Print what is no longer in print. This author due to her supporting of the pee and poop pond and 2 other resorts – keeps reporting this yelp review as though it was the 11th commandment as factual, which there are no facts to substantiate it. In fact, the review was almost immediately redacted. One would think all the locals would be angry at the You Tube videos encouraging all the 100’s of people, their little kids, their dogs etc and continuing to leave their “deposits” in the pee and poop pond. But, that’s a resounding – not. Come one – come all. What Tecopa needs is another You Tuber encouraging the pee and poop pond use by cloaking the pee and poop pond in the disguise as a natural bore hole which there is nothing natural about a borehole. Unless one lives in North West Arkansas in the Ozarks and are familiar with the fearless killer Razorbacks known as “bore hogs”. The wild hogs bore, or more accurately, root, holes in the ground to find food like roots, tubers, and insects. They are called bore holes.

The pee and poop pond being called a bore hole is only because it was drilled. Nothing natural about it. Except human and animal deposits. Maybe some of the readers have left their deposits –

The inspector tested our water and did not find e-coli or total
coliform from the allegations of a previous Delights patron. Yes, we tested at .02 PPM Br when California law requires 4 ppm. Nonetheless the inspector through testing the water found nothing that would cause an UTI. The inspector stated the water he tested and looked at was the cleanest water he had ever seen.

The EPA has requested and Inyo County has complied with the restrictions of chlorine and bromine in this EPA habitat from which our effluent water drains into. I have no idea why the other establishments have a 2 ppm requirement because California requires a 4 ppm minimum requirement. I quote, “In California, the required minimum bromine residual for public spas and hot tubs, including mineral hot pools, is 4.0 parts per million (ppm).

Yes our effluent water from the mineral pools was reduced to 2 ppm due to the request of the EPA. But, why the other pools ?

The information you provided that a person reported she did not feel well after leaving here, and contacted Inyo County about having a doctors statement stating that she contacted e-coli and subsequently UTI from this resort, or any resort, is not factual grounded. I am in the process of 2 ongoing litigation’s. One such litigation is with this person who immediately removed her allegations from Yelp. Which one would think this author would do the same , wouldn’t one. Nope – nada. Print what is no longer in print. This author due to her supporting of the pee and poop pond and 2 other resorts – keeps reporting this yelp review as though it was the 11th commandment as factual, which there are no facts to substantiate it. In fact, the review was almost immediately retracted – but this author is profoundly ingrained in her support of the one you tuber making money off the pee and poop pond. One would think all the locals would be angry at the You Tube videos encouraging all the 100’s of people, their little kids, their dogs etc and continuing to leave their “deposits” in the pee and poop pond. But, I guess not. Come one – come all. What Tecopa needs is another You Tuber encouraging the pee and poop pond use by cloaking the pee and poop pond in the disguise as a natural bore hole which there is nothing natural about a borehole. Unless one lives in NorthWest Arkansas in the Ozarks and are familiar with the fearless killer Razorbacks known as “bore hogs”. The wild hogs bore, or more accurately, root, holes in the ground to find food like roots, tubers, and insects. They are called bore holes.

The inspector tested our water and did not find e-coli or total coli form from the allegations of a previous Delights patron. Yes, we tested at .02 PPM Br when California by law requires 4 ppm. Nonetheless the inspector found nothing that would cause an UTI.

The inspector stated the water he tested and looked at was the cleanest water he had ever seen. In fact, this woman told Yvonne that she and her mom had just drove from Delights. She told Yvonne she had just came from Delights because it was getting to “crowed” there. She said the pools they were in were very crowed and were cloudy and dirty. ( No worries about any of our pools being crowed here) Yvonne debriefed her and her mother on the importance of not wearing anything in the pool house that causes contamination when entering the pool house or when entering Gods Water From The Great Deep. Yvonne walked she and her mother to each of our 3 pools. Explaining the entry requirements. Each door states BAREFOOT ONLY INSIDE. Debriefing and explaining our pool entry requirements from either Yvonne or I includes sharing that no swim wear is permitted in the pool house – no bags, purses, or backpacks are permitted from which shoes can be removed from and food stuffs removed to be eaten while in the pool. At the base of each door is a shoe rack. One of the ways another patron would know that someone is in the pool is by the shoes left in the shoe rack outside the door.

Continuing – She and her mother was not in the pool any longer than maybe 2 minutes when I saw there were no shoes outside by the door. I knocked on the door and politely requested the 2 women to immediately place there shoes outside the pool house because we could not have any contamination from the shoes in the pool house that would be transferred to the pool water from their feet. She yelled out at me and stated I was a misogynist. I guess a woman man hater has to say something. Why would anyone believe me – you might be asking. Its her word verses ours – right ?
WRITTEN POOL PERMIT. I have the pool pass permit that she and her mother signed agreeing to comply with each and every requirement to obtain an authorization to enter. As an example some of the requirements is vacating the hot water after 15 minutes to cool down and re hydrate and then re-enter. They must exit the pool house in clothes or a robe. A hair net ( that we provide) is required to be worn if ones hair length is longer than ones collar. These requirements are a condition of entering the pool house and soaking in Gods Water From The Great Deep to eliminate bacteria and contaminates. She and her mother individually read the conditions. She and her mother signed their name in agreement with phone numbers. (Witnessed) When I politely asked her ( the door was obviously shut) to put her shoes outside as she had agreed to – she became hostile – started cussing me out and calling my wife a bitch. She said Delights does not require it. I said we were not Delights and they did not have to because they inject Cl or Br in their water. She stated they were not going to come out of the pool house and I could not make them – to go f____ off. ( Wonder why she wanted to stay in the water longer ? ) I shared that I was calling the Sheriffs department to have she and her mother trespassed off. She screamed out that the Inyo county Seriffs department would not trespass them off. Her mother chimed in and stated”we know alot of people in high places”. The “cusser” hollered out – the sheriffs department will not do anything. Once she heard me talking to the 911 call center she and her mother slammed open the door. The “cusser” was wearing a bathing suit – her sandals were soaked. She was there to contaminate the water – purposely. And, she did. I had to pump the water out of the pool onto the ground after they sped off to Delights. She screamed at me telling me “again” she knew alot of people in high up places and was going to make our lives miserable. ( Witnessed). FACT. She was not in the pools more than 2 to 3 minutes when I asked her to please put her shoes outside. Then I realized she stated they had just come from Delights because the pools had gotten to crowded and were dirty while they were in the pools. She and her mother immediately sped back to Delights. That’s right. Myself and several other witnesses saw them drive back to Delights – dust flying.

The next day Delights shut down their pools and had a massive pool cleaning day. The first time that I knew of this happening
in 2 years. The day ( Sunday) they shut down their hot tubs and pools was our busiest day – ever. I was hoping they would shut down their pools to clean more often. I did not realize at the time there was a reason. Probably not unusual, but little did we know at this time that 2 days later we were going to be inspected because of a telephone call to Inyo County, the information provided to Inyo County was not validated by Inyo County by requesting a form from the doctor or a picture of her prescription from a doctor. Yes. You read this right. The person writing down the complaint for Inyo County did not ask to see the doctors report, or as a minimum the prescription label from a prescription bottle – easily sent via an I phone. Just an accusation. Welcome to Tecopa USA.

Yet, unexpectedly and by our total surprise a pool inspector showed up at 9:00 AM 2 days later, (Tuesday) . Did this pool inspector test other pools while here, did he test Delights ? Did he test the other 3 pools ? Is it possible that people can bring e-coli from one place to another ?

Our pools, that day, tested negative for e-coli. A liar that stated she had a UTI when she had no proof in any form.

I find it ironic that the author who doesn’t report all the facts, did not note we were surprised tested last week, and then again a few weeks before that. The county would of told her and probably did tell her. – Each time, “0” total coli form no bacteria, no e-coli. It takes a lot of hourly inspections of the pools by me and by patrons wanting to be in chemical free hot absorbing water, to do what is required to experience a non contaminated Hot Mineral Soaking experience. Its not just about flowing water all day long. Bacteria comes from ones bottom in a swimming suit or from flip flops walking across contaminated grounds.

There are those who refuse to not wear swimming suits. There are those who “demand” to enter the water due to cramps ( menstrual cycle) there are those who refuse to take their shoes off outside the pool house, there are those who refuse to vacate the 104F hot water after 15 minutes for their own safety . When they get through being angry at me and expressing their “no liability” views – I share with them the pee and poop pond aka bore hole is highly supported by the locals and the you tubers. The pee and poop pond aka bore hole has no jurisdictional governed health authority maintaining its safety from anyone. It is not regulated at all. If anyone can carry anything in it then it is there. I share that its located about 500 feet North from us. But, I would not suggest they go there. The result – Off they go – kids in tow, dogs barking – to the pee and poop pond. Little babies, and kids with their floaters – that can and will swallow the contaminated water. The pee and poop pond awaits, like a coiled up snake. The “peep, and poop pond” is calling out. — quiet now. Can you hear it ? Come one and come all – bring your filthy and dirty body to me.

Finally: The truth is this community does not support Tecopa Palms Therapeutic Hot Springs Resort – a Christian, based resort. When there were 4 parks here – I always stated there are 4 different cultures. Find the one that fits you like a shoe and then wear it.

I am very proud to share that for those in this community who appreciate a true 9.0 pH water ( not lowered due to adding Cl or Br) to visit us to see and feel the difference.

I will manage out contaminants. I will ask to see ones tail lights head out the entry way when they have intentions to contaminate Gods Water From The Great Deep. I expect many more calls to Inyo County. This is Tecopa – where the culture is to add 2 to 4 ppm chlorine or bromine and leave me alone to soak in what others have left me. One for all, and All for one. I probably should have included the Inyo County Health Departments phone number.

Meanwhile – there is one park that offers to its patrons pristine hot mineral water, with a pH of 9.8 with no chemical toxicity – that takes a lot of work – every day.

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