Flood Control in Canyon Was Lacking

Transportation Corridors Agencies Chief Engineer Jerry Bennett’s letter (Feb. 5) regarding the TCA’s preparedness for flooding omits several key facts.

First, after the federal court of appeals lifted its ban on toll road construction on Dec. 20, the TCA on Dec. 21 commenced large-scale grading of the toll road alignment both in the (Laguna) Canyon and in the Laguna Greenbelt comprising the canyon watershed. Earthmoving continued Dec. 22 and 23, ceasing only when the court reimposed the injunction. During this time, TCA was free to implement the necessary flood control measures before grading and grubbing in the canyon watershed.

Second, once the injunction was reinstated, plaintiffs immediately agreed to TCA’s every proposal to perform specified remedial flood control work in the canyon. Indeed, the injunction was modified three times--on Dec. 23 and 27 and on Jan. 6--each time within hours of TCA’s requests.

A dire situation was created by the recent grading and intense storms. Throughout this time, plaintiffs cooperated fully to enable TCA to meet its flood and erosion-control responsibilities.

MICHAEL D. FITTS, Senior project attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council

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It is very sad that The Times has fallen victim to the propaganda surrounding the San Joaquin Hills toll road. In his letter to The Times (Feb. 5), Jerry Bennett of the TCA states that the runoff management plan was implemented before the first storm on Dec. 24. If The Times really wanted the “facts,” then you would have gone to those of us who were out there protesting in Laguna Canyon during the destruction. We are the ones who recorded the work, hour by hour, day by day. We are the ones who would have told you that, prior to Dec. 24, no retention basins were built and the only erosion-control measure in place was a silt fence on the west side of the canyon.

Yes, further erosion control measures were instituted after the Dec. 24 storm. What Mr. Bennett fails to mention is that the work done was minimal.

Mr. Bennett also does not point out that water was not the culprit in the damage to downtown Laguna, mud was. The mud that slammed into the boardwalk came directly from the grading site--a violation of one of their permits. From where I live, it was easy to see the incredible amount of mud that remained on Laguna Canyon Road less than fifty yards from the site.

VANESSA SPRUNGL, Laguna Beach