Bolsa Chica Sale No Sure Thing

We strongly object to the unsubstantiated conclusion in your recent article on Bolsa Chica that Koll Real Estate Group is “giving up” on its approved Bolsa Chica plan. (“Koll to Offer Bolsa Chica for Sale to State,” March 30.) This assertion is totally incorrect. The fact is that we remain committed to moving forward with the federal permit-approval process for the wetlands restoration and residential development on the lowland portion of the property.

With the advent of the state’s interest in acquiring the lowland, restoration of the degraded Bolsa Chica wetlands could occur through one of two ways: by implementing the Bolsa Chica plan approved by the County of Orange and California Coastal Commission (which includes a privately funded, 1,100-acre wetlands restoration in conjunction with construction of single-family homes on 185 acres of the lowland) or with the proposed sale of the lowland property to the state.

Our position is that a sale of the lowlands to the government agencies is not acceptable unless assurances are in place for restoration of the wetlands by the agencies.

While we did receive a letter of intent from the State Lands Commission to purchase the property, so many contingencies remain that there can be no assurances that a sale of the lowlands will ultimately occur. Rather than “giving up,” Koll Real Estate Group diligently continues to strive toward its vision of a new residential community together with restoration of the Bolsa Chica wetlands for the benefit of the environment, our neighbors and our shareholders.

LUCY DUNN

Senior Vice President

Koll Real Estate Group

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* Koll’s recent announcement that it had signed a letter of intent with the Lands Commission to sell 900 acres of Bolsa Chica lowlands definitely is encouraging news to the Amigos de Bolsa Chica.

We will be carefully studying the submitted proposals. The Amigos strongly recommend that all of the lowlands property be considered at the time of the sale.

For over 20 years, the Amigos’ stated mission has been to “encourage public acquisition of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and to restore it to its natural marsh state.” The Amigos have continued to be actively involved in the transactions that would make possible the return of what were historically public lands, to be conveyed back to the people of the state of California.

To further this acquisition by the state, the Amigos are dedicated to a financial contribution of more than $1 million in Proposition 70 monies toward the effort of acquisition and toward the implementation of the California Coastal Conservancy’s restoration plan, which was approved by the Coastal Commission in January.

Many questions still need answers. What is the level of contamination in the oil fields and who is responsible for cleanup? Is there funding for both acquisition and restoration? These are several of the questions that need to be answered.

The Amigos will continue to actively participate in the process to ensure that ultimately acquisition and restoration will both take place.

TOM LIVENGOOD

President, Amigos de Bolsa Chica