Unfair Conclusions

Your article about the visit by Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.) to Laguna Canyon (Reporter’s Notebook, March 11) contains inaccuracies that lead the reader to unfair conclusions. You wrote, “But no one had asked for Cranston’s help in resolving the dispute, and many found it strange that a U.S. senator would make a special trip to Laguna Beach just to see the site of an obscure housing development.”

Error No. 1: The city of Laguna Beach, the Laguna Canyon Conservancy and Democratic activists have been soliciting Cranston’s help with this issue for at least two years. A decade ago, Cranston co-sponsored a bill that would have created a national park that would have included Laguna Canyon.

Error No. 2: On a previous visit to discuss offshore oil issues, the senator listened to a full presentation on the canyon, complete with maps. A follow-up public visit to the canyon with those involved seems to be a natural.

Error No. 3: This is no “obscure housing development” to those of us who know and love Laguna Canyon. On Nov. 11, 8,000 Orange County residents made history by walking in Laguna Canyon to protest that housing development.

“What good came of it at last?” The wheels of government turn slowly. But today the Irvine Co., city officials and environmental groups are sitting together at the negotiating table to work out a way for the people of Orange County to buy Laguna Canyon. Cranston’s environmental aide, Cathy Lacey, is pursuing the possibility of Fish and Wildlife funding since the Canyon has the only two natural lakes in Orange County and a vernal pool.

Cranston’s trip to Laguna Canyon may have been the critical turning point in our campaign to preserve this incredible wilderness area for Orange County residents forever.

LIDA LENNEY, Mayor

Laguna Beach