Delay in Golf Course

Project Is Not Reasonable

* It is five years since the developers of the proposed world-class golf course on private property in the Big Tujunga Wash submitted an application for a permit to the appropriate federal agencies. Five long years and no decision for a project that has overwhelming community support. It’s not reasonable.

What kind of patience, what kind of judgment is required from an applicant to get a governmental decision? Despite news reports to the contrary, it has been the applicant, Cosmo World, that has been leading the fight to protect and preserve the alleged endangered species, the slender-horned spineflower. This unremarkable plant, which blooms about three months a year, is holding up a $50-million investment and hundreds of jobs.

It was Cosmo World’s biologists who discovered the spineflower in 1988. At that time, as now, Cosmo World had the option by law to give a 10-day notice to the state to eradicate it. But Cosmo World decided to do the right thing and do whatever possible to protect this plant. That included establishing a permanent spineflower preserve and agreeing to dedicate 78 acres within the golf course to keep this species safe. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has failed to make any definitive decision after five long years.

I’ve been active in San Fernando Valley civic circles for almost 45 years. We are suffering from an unprecedented recession with many young people out of work. We have an opportunity to accept a $50-million investment, the largest ever for Sunland-Tujunga. And while we are still losing jobs in California, we’re held hostage by red tape. It’s time we put people--and jobs for the young--ahead of an unusable plant.

CLARK DRANE

Sunland

Drane is chairman of Friends of the Los Angeles International Golf Club.