Park Service Criticized Over Hope Land Deal
The National Park Service’s handling of a proposed exchange of public land for property owned by entertainer Bob Hope in Los Angeles and Ventura counties was severely criticized during a congressional hearing in Washington on Thursday, but the session was not expected to dampen the exchange’s prospects.
Park Service Director James M. Ridenour said his agency has not taken a position on trading 59 acres it owns in Cheeseboro Canyon for 1,100 acres of Hope property on the adjacent Jordan Ranch in eastern Ventura County. Hope also has agreed to transfer another 4,600 acres of his holdings in the Santa Monica and Santa Susana Mountains to parks agencies for a below-market price of $10 million if the land-swap is approved.
Political machinations, confusion and ambiguity have marked the Park Service’s handling of the Jordan Ranch swap, said Rep. Mike Synar (D-Okla.). “This process stinks,” he said.
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