Save Bolsa Chica Archeological Site

Thank you for the Nov. 2 article about the archeological site, ORA-64, that was once in Newport Beach’s Back Bay area. The Bolsa Chica Land Trust agrees that it is most regrettable that such an important and meaningful site has been destroyed.

At this time, it is very important to note that there is an equally important site in Orange County, ORA-83. This site is in imminent danger of being destroyed also. This is occurring because of county government approvals and the desire of Koll Real Estate Group to maximize its use of the Bolsa Chica mesa for housing.

One thing we are supposed to learn from history is not to repeat the mistakes we have made. The Bolsa Chica Land Trust is actively opposing this needless destruction and we hope others will join with us.

NANCY DONAVEN

President

Bolsa Chica Land Trust

Huntington Beach

* I am saddened that the Irvine Co. bulldozed one of the oldest archeological sites in Orange County, and struck by the similarities between what happened at Harbor Cove and what is happening at Bolsa Chica.

Like Harbor Cove, the site at Bolsa Chica is very old, with human bones estimated to be 8,000 years old. Like the site at Harbor Cove, the site at Bolsa Chica was approved by the State Historical Resources Commission to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Like the Harbor Cove site, the paperwork for some unknown reason was never forwarded to the National Register in Washington. The Koll Real Estate Group and the Irvine Co. both employed the same Native American monitors. Perhaps some of these similarities are more than just coincidences since Don Koll is on the board of the Irvine Co.

Unlike Harbor Cove, however, there are not yet houses at Bolsa Chica. There is still time to save the remaining archeological sites on the Bolsa Chica mesa. By helping the Bolsa Chica Land Trust in its efforts to bring about the acquisition of the mesa, we can prevent Harbor Cove and Bolsa Chica from having similar houses covering similar archeological treasures.

CONNIE BOARDMAN

Huntington Beach

* The Times editorial of Oct. 30 regarding the El Toro lack of planning was insightful: “The airport has been the choice from the beginning for a powerful group of developers and their supporters in the corridors of county government.”

This is exactly the same scenario for Koll’s Bolsa Chica development. Koll internal memos that were anonymously sent to the Bolsa Chica Land Trust recently confirm that, as you stated, “planning and all the decision making have been mere window dressing to support a foregone conclusion.”

FLOSSIE HORGAN

Huntington Beach