SACRAMENTO, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- California's largest utility will remove a water treatment plant built in the Mojave Desert on land an American Indian tribe holds sacred.
The Los Angeles Times said members of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe believes an ancient configuration of lines near the California-Arizona border and known as Topock Maze indicates the path to heaven for tribe members. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. built the plant at the site in 2004 despite the tribe's objections.
Tribe members sued PG&E, asserting both the utility and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control broke state laws because alternatives for the 7,000-square-foot plant were not considered, the newspaper said.
PG&E Chief Executive Officer Thomas King on Thursday said the company "regrets the spiritual consequences," that the plant had been built at a sacred site, the Times reported.
Courtney Coyle, an attorney active in cases over sacred tribal sites, heralded the decision as "recognition these places are worthy of respect."
