Vasquez Says His Letter Didn’t Oppose Bird’s Endangered Tag

Regarding your editorial “Watch Out for Ruffled Feathers” (March 5), I would like to set the record straight with respect to my letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The purpose of my letter was to share research data with the Fish and Wildlife Service, since Orange County is already doing extensive technical work on this issue at a cost of over $300,000.

Nowhere in my letter do I state opposition to the proposed listing of the California gnatcatcher as an endangered species.

I believe it is an appropriate role of the chairman of the Board of Supervisors to share information with other agencies. In fact, government is often criticized for the “right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.” By communicating, the public is better served and important information is exchanged.

Furthermore, my letter followed a letter to the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior signed by 12 members of Congress representing Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Their theme was to communicate and coordinate with all concerned parties.

I would reiterate that my letter was intended to coordinate with another governmental agency as stated in the letter: “I am aware of how vital communication can be between agencies. . . . We would be happy to provide you with a presentation of the data we have generated and to assist your department in any way we can.”

It is unfortunate your editorial ignored the spirit and intent of the letter.

GADDI H. VASQUEZ, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Supervisor, 3rd District