Compromising Positions on Bolsa Chica

Your front-page article Jan. 12, “Coastal Commission OKs Bolsa Chica Project,” illuminates the historical problem of appointed commissioners unaccountable--in any direct or meaningful way--to voters and citizens.

As with all things environmental, politics, donations and friendships get in the way of balanced appointments to commissions. The result? Commissions, including the Coastal Commission, whose majority blatantly ignores the mandates under which they serve.

The political reality is that the best environmental and citizen representation comes from groups like Surfrider and Bolsa Chica Land Trust; nonpartisan groups which do not pollute or legitimize themselves by pandering to partisan politicos.

The commission’s disgusting vote to further diminish our already scarce wetlands is an affront to the well-established relationship between humans and the health of the environment in which we live and in which future generations will live.

Yet another apology will be in order as we try, as a society, to rationalize the overall stupidity of the Coastal Commission’s short-sighted decision to the generations behind us.

And to Amigos de Bolsa Chica, shame on you. You should legitimately call yourselves Amigos de Koll. Your willingness to compromise our environment is unconscionable.

SHERRY LEE MEDDICK

Silverado

* The Times headline, “The Wetlands Watch Begins” (Jan. 13) seemed particularly prescient in light of my Sunday afternoon stint at the Bolsa Chica wetlands on behalf of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust. I was handing out information brochures regarding the wetlands and explaining the areas of development OKd by the Coastal Commission.

I have worked first on behalf of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica (read that now Amigos de Koll). In my disillusionment with that group and its recent objectives I have joined forces with the Bolsa Chica Land Trust. In 10-plus years of such contact with visitors to the wetlands, I have never experienced the flood of concern and outrage that was evident this weekend. Groups and groups of people, many incredulous and disbelieving, crowded around our map of the area. A barrage of them stuffed money into a donation jar. So many requests to join the land trust were made that we ran out of materials including memorabilia.

Yes! The wetlands watch begins!

MARGE ALLEN

Huntington Beach

* I am a high school student who has spent many hours enjoying the Bolsa Chica wetlands. I have learned about native plants and birds, bird migration habits, and coastal history by studying this area.

It is pleasant to walk along the ocean without wall-to-wall development and gain some insight into what California looked like in times past. I would like to see this land left undeveloped, not only for me but for my children to come, and even their children. I realize that development is important in the growth of local economies, but so are open spaces important to the mental health and well being of the local citizens.

Nature and man must learn to coexist for this planet to stay healthy.

JOSHUA L. BOWEN

Huntington Beach

* As someone who loves the environment, I am proud to say that I support the Koll Co.’s plan for Bolsa Chica.

For the past two years, I have been providing tours of the Bolsa Chica oil field in my van to other residents, allowing them to see how badly the lowland property has degraded and why wetlands restoration is necessary. The land behind the ecological reserve is heavily industrialized and is deteriorating.

I am astonished by the continued portrayal of the lowland as a pristine environmentally sensitive area, when even the federal government acknowledges that some remediation is likely necessary. The Times cannot continue to play it both ways. This is a heavily developed oil field in need of major restoration, not the Everglades.

I applaud the Coastal Commission decision to restore the wetlands and allow some residential development, because it will result in both environmental and economic improvements for Orange County. It is too bad that the selfish, self-interested NIMBYs living along the edge of this private property don’t realize it.

MIKE GUEST

Huntington Beach

* The Coastal Commission vote was a travesty of justice! The Coastal Act of 1976 was passed to protect the coast. With absolutely no guarantee for restoration of the wetlands if Koll Real Estate Group decides not to build on the wetlands, Koll carried the night with a vote of 8-3 to allow the rape of the Bolsa Chica.

Even though the Coastal Commission’s own staff recommended denial of the project, the vote went Koll’s way.

One hundred eight stalwart Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Long Beach residents stayed at the hearing from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., waiting their turn to plead their case.

Money talks, what can I say?

EILEEN MURPHY

Huntington Beach