Bolsa Chica Deal: Music to Some Ears

* “Koll Agrees to Sell 75% of Wetlands Site” (July 8) doesn’t sound like music to some ears, but to those of us who have worked and dreamed of a real wetlands ecosystem for future generations to study or simply, and importantly, experience, it is not only music, it is Mozart!

But this is just the first movement. The next is the attainment of the mesa--home of the hawk, osprey and peregrine falcon. Now we must move to preserve it all.

MARY ALLEN

Huntington Beach

* Your article on the Bolsa Chica wetlands agreement stated “the plan was applauded by people on virtually all sides of the issue.”

We are among those not included.

The plan certainly seems like a sweet deal for the Koll group and Lucy Dunn. Instead of being required to pay for the restoration of the wetlands, they will receive compensation for that part of the property and the taxpayers will fund the restoration.

For those of us who reside next to the area slated for the 2,500 homes, the proposal is not an improvement.

According to the map provided in the Times on July 11, even the small linear park along Los Patos, which was included in previous drawings, has been eliminated. We will gain an impacted area which is removed from any of the restoration or recreational plans while the Koll company passes its costs onto all of us.

We are still awaiting news worthy of celebrations.

LAURA L. MOORE

Huntington Beach

* Whatever one’s political affiliation, be it Republican or Democrat, the lion’s share of the credit for the sale of the lowland wetlands at Bolsa Chica should go to President Clinton and the Department of the Interior under Secretary Bruce Babbitt, especially Assistant Secretary Allen McReynolds.

However, the saga of the movement to “Save Bolsa Chica” is not over yet. The Bolsa Chica mesa, site of significant biological, archeological and historical sites including a locally significant World War II bunker, four freshwater wetlands and Warner Avenue pond, and Indian burial grounds, is still endangered by the proposal to build thousands of houses over the entire site.

Hopefully, a bipartisan effort and Koll’s continued cooperation will culminate in the purchase of the entire 1,700-acre Bolsa Chica area.

JAN D. VANDERSLOOT

Huntington Beach

* I have supported Koll Real Estate Group’s plan for restoration and development of Bolsa Chica for several years. The recent announcement that Koll may sell the lowland portion of Bolsa Chica to the American Land Conservancy, with the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles paying for restoration, sounds like a good opportunity. However, I have some reservations about the details.

I understand the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles will be financially responsible for restoration of the wetlands, and they have agreed to pay $31 million each for this expensive restoration process. However, I am uncertain where the American Land Conservancy will come up with the money to purchase the property. I want to be assured that all of the property will be accounted for and all of the restoration will occur.

Business for Bolsa Chica still supports and prefers the county’s approved plan for restoration and responsible development at Bolsa Chica. We would also support the sale to the American Land Conservancy, as long as there is a superior wetlands restoration plan paid for by the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

PAT DeMARS

Business for Bolsa Chica

* This is in regard to your editorial, “Good-Looking Deal for Wetlands ‘Gem’ ” (July 11).

The editorial shows the need for us to save as much of the wetlands as possible. Although I am a staunch Republican, I disagree with the governor’s “compromise” and Congress’ abandonment of wetlands legislation.

The Bolsa Chica is a rare spectacle that needs to be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

I think Southern California needs some more open space and the Bolsa Chica (wetlands and mesa) would be a great start.

KENNETH KAO

Huntington Beach

* We are very glad to endorse the action of the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, which will lead to the establishment of a National Wildlife Refuge in the wetlands at Bolsa Chica.

The Bolsa Chica Land Trust is proud of the role it played in getting the Department of the Interior involved with the acquisition and protection of Bolsa Chica. We are encouraged by your editorial of July 11 as it refers to the action by the ports as the first step in saving the entire 1,700 acres.

The Times has quite rightly identified our next target as the adjacent mesa property.

We look forward to the acquisition of the 214-acre Bolsa Chica mesa as the next step in protecting this vital natural, historical and cultural resource.

CONNIE BOARDMAN

President, Bolsa Chica Land Trust