Environmental Studies at Ahmanson

* Re “Ahmanson Opponents Find Hope in Ruling,” June 5.

Washington Mutual is conducting a superficial, bogus supplemental environmental impact report study that does not address key issues regarding traffic, air quality and protecting the environment. The company is only conducting a limited environmental study in hopes of circumventing a full study that would expose the truth once and for all.

The short-term economic benefits do not outweigh the eternal negative impacts that would be created by the “Ahmanson City” development. What value does Washington Mutual give to breathing clean air and to quality of life? Its only concern is creating a gross profit regardless of the consequences.

Ventura County Supervisor Frank Schillo is completely off base when he states that Washington Mutual has complied with studies regarding traffic. No study on traffic effects have been performed since the original EIR was approved in 1992. Traffic experts from Los Angeles County, the city of Los Angeles and Caltrans all agree that traffic figures in the 1992 EIR are flawed and obsolete.

Ahmanson Ranch and Newhall Ranch have one thing in common: They are both Southland disasters. If Washington Mutual has nothing to hide, it would welcome and demonstrate this by performing a new comprehensive environmental impact study.

JOE BEHAR

President

West Valley Community Coalition

Woodland Hills