Golf Course and Amphitheater

Recent media coverage has labeled people opposed to the Camarillo golf course / amphitheater project as “environmentalists.”

I urge everyone who might attend concerts and play golf there to go visit these parklands before deciding this issue. Many of you may become environmentalists when you see the El Nino-created lake and ponds that the developers want to destroy. One becomes an environmentalist when one’s environment is threatened.

Developers cry, “No, we’ll manage the waters so they won’t impact the environment.” Near the location of the proposed golf course, the levee to the river washed away with the February floods (which seem to be more frequent lately). Go take a look.

With the next El Nino, the golf course will also just wash away and the amphitheater will become a swimming pool. That will be nice in the summertime.

Ironically, Supervisor Frank Schillo favors a golf course near the ocean yet opposes a golf course in his own backyard. He said, “For that area to be a greenbelt forever, we need something more.” He was speaking about Tierra Rejada Valley. He should also say that about this Camarillo valley.

Grand rolling hills of the Santa Monicas drain over this terrain and wash down into the Mugu Lagoon. Wildlife abounds and will flourish as a result of the rain in the coming generation. Who are we to come in and mess with the Creator’s design in one of the last coastal wetlands in Southern California?

Fortunately for us, the National Park Service has said (in effect), “This is the people’s land and you’re using it for profit and development and it’s supposed to be a park.”

Also fortunately for us, the Army Corps of Engineers has said (in effect), “We want to look at this every step of the way so you don’t mess with the wetlands.”

Now we need to say (not in effect), “We don’t want a golf course and amphitheater there.” It’s just fine the way it is, thank you very much.

BRAD R. GARDNER, Camarillo