Aliso Better Off Without a Pier

* Re “Beach Without Pier,” March 18:

The Aliso pier should have never been put there in the first place. It split a perfectly seamless beach in half making it act like more of an eyesore than a recreation center. It also was hazardous to swimmers or surfers who drifted near it. A new pier wouldn’t be worth the time, money or effort put into it, not to mention any sequoias that might have to be chopped down to build a new one.

I’ve already grown accustomed to the beach without a pier, and I like it better. No pier equals fewer problems and more beach.

BRIAN CRUIKSHANK

Dana Point

* The Clean Aliso Creek Assn. has cited three major issues:

1. The pier looked like a launching pad, jutting out like the proverbial sore thumb.

2. The chronic pollution of this creek mouth made suspect anything caught from the pier. In fact, uninhibited by pilings, the now-increased scrubbing action leaves the shoreline waters 5% to 10% cleaner.

3. Only a few coves in Southern California have this sea-level, unobstructed “window to the ocean.” Why are we compelled to always intrude on Mother Nature? All of that concrete and money, just to supply an unnecessary promenade? I don’t think so.

ROGER VON BUTOW

Clean Aliso Creek Assn.

Laguna Beach

* Every week, it seems, a spill pollutes our beautiful ocean. As an avid scuba diver, I am not only restricted by polluted rain runoff but now by constant spillage that makes our so-called pristine community foul. This is not a Third World country, and with the amount of money available in Orange County, there is no excuse.

SUSAN SHAW

Newport Coast