Rights of County Developers Versus Rights of O.C. Wildlife

I am deeply troubled by the article “Development Perils Wildlife, Study Says” (Oct. 7), which clearly and concisely articulated the problem of a festering wound in Orange County--development versus the right of wildlife to exist here. That wound is oozing in and around Arroyo Trabuco right now and the stench is horrendous.

Within the article, reference was made to a statement by an appointee to the Planning Commission, Roger D. Slate. Apparently out of frustration toward the interests of environmentalists, Slate suggested a rather unique approach to saving our precious wilderness. He suggested killing off its residents. He proposed planting an apple orchard and stocking it with salt licks. With this, deer would be attracted to the apple orchard and hunting licenses issued to keep them out of our urban environment.

This is one of the most perverse and insensitive statements yet coming from a public official. If this was a joke, it was not at all funny or clever. There is no hilarity when it comes to poor wildlife management, only sadness.

Nobody living in this county has a right to criticize a need for reasonable development. After all, homeowners and renters alike benefit from the developers’ encroachment on nature. We all live in what once was some animal’s natural habitat.

I am sure much heated debate abounds from two sides of the fence between environmentalists and developers. But that does not excuse such irresponsible and malicious statements from people in power. Especially from those who are assigned the task of evaluating the direction of future development.

Perhaps Mr. Slate is annoyed by the presence of environmentalists. Perhaps Mr. Slate believes the only place left for animals living in and around Orange County is a zoo. For the sake of discussion, let us push aside for one moment the idea that animals have rights. The idea that a planning commissioner would make such a ludicrous statement even in jest is just amazing to me.

Admittedly, I am in favor of protecting what little precious land is left in Orange County. This land isn’t just for trees and animals. It is for us all to enjoy.

Arguments between environmentalists and developers will not fade away any time soon. What will fade, as long as nature has no advocate among the body politic, is any semblance that nature ever had a place here. What will be left are the likes of the liquid nitrogen embalmed palm trees in our new airport terminal or the cement lakes that dot the newer developments in south county. Or worse still, an apple orchard filled with salt licks and hunters with their rifles.

DANIEL H. BIRMAN, Huntington Beach