Bolsa Chica Wetlands Preservation

The Huntington Beach City Council should be commended for its decision to seek information on possible funding sources for the acquisition of the Bolsa Chica, including the wetlands and surrounding bluffs and mesa.

Contrary to statements in the press, this approach has never been tried by the city of Huntington Beach, even though the northwest Bolsa Chica (Bolsa Chica mesa) and the Bolsa Chica bluffs and marshlands are top priority areas for acquisition for open space in the Huntington Beach General Plan Open Space and Conservation Element. The approach of acquiring the Bolsa Chica wetlands, bluffs and mesa is not “reinventing the wheel.” It’s a long overdue initiative that is finally being recognized by the Huntington Beach City Council, to its credit.

Given the extremely negative reaction of the government permitting agencies such as the EPA, California Coastal Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game to the EIS/EIR (environmental impact documents) for the proposed development plan for the Bolsa Chica, acquisition through purchase or land trade is probably the best and quickest way to accomplish preservation and restoration of the Bolsa Chica.

JAN D. VANDERSLOOT

Huntington Beach