Orange County Voices : Commentaries on Bolsa Chica : A Councilman and a Developer Clash Over Plans for Wetlands : Wetlands can be restored and the dusty, degraded area surrounding it turned into a beautiful source of recreation.

What is Bolsa Chica? Different images are presented by special interest groups, but how do these images correspond with reality and with the vision of what Bolsa Chica can become?

Today, in reality, Bolsa Chica is 170 acres of restored wetlands at the State Ecological Reserve by Huntington Beach, bordered by hundreds of acres of dry, dusty and degraded land where a pristine marsh once thrived. Within this degraded area are 200 active oil wells, water injection wells, pipelines, sumps and tanks.

But a “vision” comes from what you see with your eyes today and what you see with your mind and imagination as a legacy for your children. Tomorrow’s vision of Bolsa Chica is 1,100 acres of restored wetlands--eclipsing the Newport Back Bay in size--surrounded by parks, hiking and bike trails and open space.

This vision can be achieved by implementing the Bolsa Chica Plan.

Myths about Bolsa Chica fall short of describing the current conditions of the property and the purpose of the proposed plan. Consider the following examples:

Myth: “Bolsa Chica is a pristine wetlands in Huntington Beach.”

Reality: The State Ecological Reserve off Pacific Coast Highway has 170 acres of restored wetlands. The balance of the wetlands acres at Bolsa Chica is surrounded by an operating oil field and was designated by the state Department of Fish and Game in 1981 as severely degraded and in need of restoration. Since 1981, the site has progressively worsened and the wetlands are in dire need of the help of qualified biologists, hydrologists and eco-specialists.

Myth: “Koll is destroying wetlands to build houses.”

Reality: The Coalition Plan for Bolsa Chica development by consensus of the state, county, city, Amigos de Bolsa Chica and Koll, the landowner, calls for an increase in wetlands from 170 restored acres to more than 1,000 wetlands acres. The vision for Bolsa Chica returns it to a turn-of-the-century salt marsh system with hundreds of diverse species of birds, fish and other aquatic life that does not exist there today.

Myth: “Residential development doesn’t pay for itself.”

Reality: This plan for Bolsa Chica will create 17,000 jobs and contribute $2 billion to the Southern California economy. Sales taxes, property taxes and fees to public agencies will more than compensate for the public services to be provided.

The public benefits, including trails, parks, fire station, flood control improvements and water service improvements--to be provided at no taxpayer expense--add up to the reality that this plan gives far more to the community than it takes.

Myth: “Purchase of the property will save the wetlands.”

Reality: This concept is frequently repeated by activists seeking to prevent development. However, as we unfortunately know, local, state and federal governments are coping with significant economic challenges in the 1990s. Research by citizens groups and the landowner has concluded that funding for a land purchase, let alone restoration of the wetlands, is not available at any level of government.

Instead of raising new local taxes, the landowner is proposing to construct new homes on 400 acres of property, which will pay for conservation and restoration of 1,100 acres of wetlands, along with major road improvements and other needed infrastructure. Why buy something that is being offered for free?

I invite you to see with your own eyes today’s reality, imagine tomorrow’s vision of Bolsa Chica, then judge with your heart.

To that end, we are offering free tours of Bolsa Chica for interested Orange County residents, which can be arranged by calling (800) 773-8673.