Supports Trading Mountain Land

As parents who enjoy nearby wilderness, we would like our children and their children to have the same privilege. As physicians sensitive to people’s needs, we know that citizens living in Los Angeles need more accessible open space. We wholeheartedly support the efforts of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to save 5,700 acres of wilderness land owned by Bob Hope in exchange for 59 acres of federal parkland.

Some neighbors of the 59 acres oppose the swap, and we agree it would be wonderful if all the land could be bought. But given our federal and state budget deficits, we believe Sen. Alan Cranston’s wishful thinking that $100 million will be “found” to buy all of Hope’s land is a pipe dream. Without the funds, the land will become city dumps or massive developments.

Conservancy Director Joe Edmiston came up with a brilliant plan to give Mr. Hope the ability to pursue limited development through the 59 acres, making the remaining 5,700 acres affordable to our citizens at $20 million. Cranston’s hollow warning that such a swap would set a dangerous precedent is silly. National parkland has been traded for years when necessary, and this particular 59 acres is not in Yosemite but in Agoura, right off the Ventura Freeway.

To preserve significant wilderness in Southern California, it is necessary to see the overall picture, beyond the needs of our own neighborhood. We must not be distracted by Cranston’s self-righteous attempt to deflect attention away from his $3-billion Lincoln Savings debacle. We must support the conservancy’s plan--a plan that will bring the greatest good for ourselves and for future generations.

LYNN S. MITCHELL

MARC N. MANGER

Santa Monica