Hill Canyon Golf Proposal

Re “Golf at Hill Canyon,” Ventura County letters, June 9.

Since when has a 40-year-old photograph and the misused definition of a word taken the place of scientific methods? It seems to me that the proponents of the Hill Canyon recreational project wish to focus on words such as “arroyo” (which has many definitions) instead of focusing on facts and reasoning.

Soon after reading this letter, I went to the library where I spent the better part of two weeks reading through the Draft Environmental Impact Report, the most recent studies of the Arroyo Conejo creek system, as well as guidelines set by U.S Department of Fish and Game and the Army Corps of Engineers, on wetland criteria. The results show that currently there are 28.35 acres of protected wetlands in Hill Canyon. This diverse environment provides habitat to wildlife for nesting, foraging and breeding.

The Arroyo Conejo creek system drains more than 45 square miles with tributary streams, which can be followed to their sources at springs and seeps all over town. While it is a fact that most of water coming out of the mouth of Hill Canyon is effluent from the Hill Canyon Wastewater Treatment Plant, research shows us that geological formations, ideal alluvial soil conditions and high water table (ground water) levels all play significant roles. Effluent from the waste water plant may not provide for most of the riparian vegetation, but rather saturated soil conditions from upland watershed drainage providing high ground water. This can be observed in other creeks with similar water flows supporting riparian habitats within Thousand Oaks.

There are no man-made wetlands here, only a fragile environment trying to recover from 150 years of overgrazing, pollution and burgeoning urban development.

I’ve spent a good portion of my free time here over the years. It is an awesome wetland, teeming with wildlife of every sort, and all within our own backyard.

RON CAMERON

Thousand Oaks

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The other day I played golf at Soule Park in Ojai. It’s another one of the golf courses managed by Daily Golf Co. (the company that manages Los Robles Golf Course for the city of Thousand Oaks). Soule Park is a Class A complex, in excellent shape--a challenge to all kids from 8 to 80.

The first tee was raised and about 100 yards out there was a lovely pond where two herons and an egret were grazing. To the right of the pond were a jacaranda tree, a pepper tree and a weeping willow. It was a delight to look at; I wished I had a camera.

Were we to pretty up Hill Canyon with green, well-manicured fairways, tees, greens and perhaps some waterfalls, together with flowers such as roses, pansies, tulips and lilacs, I am confident it would not make the herons, egrets, mallards, hawks, mud hens, foxes and squirrels desert the area. They, too, would enjoy the setting just as the golfers and public in general.

Why can’t we all share what we truly cherish--the hills and valleys of our beautiful Conejo Valley, particularly Hill Canyon? Do you know it would only take 2%--yes, just 2%--of the open space owned by the city to create a championship golf course. Given 280 acres, we could create a championship course, which requires only 230 acres, and use the remaining 50 acres for equestrian and hiking trails. To me that sounds like a win-win situation for everyone. Golf is here to stay, both as a spectator and participant sport. During the 1998 season the Professional Golf Assn. provided $90 million in prize money for tournaments. This year it will be $130 million. Golf is such a popular sport that there should be no need for any city subsidies.

When I work the course at Los Robles, the greatest and most enjoyable part of my day is when I can greet the youngsters from 4 years on up who have come with their families to learn to play the game. You can be assured that this child will have a more rewarding and gratifying life because of learning to play the game, to follow the rules and use the courtesy of the course.

JOSEPH R. SMOLARSKI

Thousand Oaks