Development of a fragile ecosystem

Re “Environmental coalition digs in,” Nov. 6

North of Los Angeles, beyond the unfettered urban sprawl of Santa Clarita, just south of the Tehachapi Mountains and the Tejon Ranch, lies a little-known, undeveloped Golden Valley. Up the dusty dirt roads north of Highway 138, among the sparsely populated land parcels, you can see hawks, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, Mohave green rattlesnakes, owls and many other desert creatures in this unique paradise of open grassland and Joshua trees. To the north and west, it is hard to see any evidence of human habitation against the panoramic sky. It is hard to believe such a place still exists within 80 miles of one of the largest cities on Earth. One day, all this pristine land will be covered with houses.

It is reasonable to have controlled development of such areas. Perhaps a house for every 10 acres of land. But 23,000 houses over 6,000 acres? That sounds like a lot for such a fragile ecosystem to support.

WESLEY WILLIAMSON

Inglewood

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Environmentalists are fighting the development of Tejon Ranch because Tejon’s environmental statements are inadequate and misleading. Tejon says it is developing only 5% of the land, but it doesn’t count what will be developed later. Tejon also counts the land between houses and buildings as open space. Ah, come on.

Tejon fought the federal Fish and Wildlife Service on reintroducing the condor. Even though 3,000 homes are planned in condor-critical habitat, Tejon says it is protecting condors by putting homes slightly lower than ridge tops. The condor, and all California, deserve better.

ELDEN HUGHES

Whittier

The writer is honorary vice president of the Sierra Club.