Opinion: Who has the upper hand in coastal concerns?

To the editor: What an ignominious rejection of two quite reasonable bills by our state legislators, especially after the enlightenment provided by Steve Lopez in his ongoing series on the coast.

Let’s see, the bills were opposed by pro-development, big business, labor, oil, agriculture and real estate interests — just about all of which have the political power to get results despite any quality-of-life issues.

( “Protected status is upheld for bird,” Sept. 3, “AQMD board shake-up fails,” Sept. 2 and “Two coastal agency reform bills rejected,” Sept. 2)

I do hope Lopez will keep up the good fight, because there’s still a dirty laundry list he might want to address including the South Coast AQMD, which was likewise hijacked when a Democratic mayor was removed. As you wrote, the first actions of the new Republican board were to remove the longtime executive officer and to uphold controversial amendments backed by the oil industry.

Jeffrey Eulberg, Reseda

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To the editor: As I recall, many years ago in a different era, the coastal commission published a guide that I used to plan my free time to explore the coast. Through the years, it became smaller and more difficult to find. I foolishly believed that our access to the coast was set in stone.

Now I prefer to travel abroad, where security guards on coasts are invisible and abundant wildlife is unfettered.

Steven Paulin, La Mirada

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To the editor: As the lobbyists hugged, the people cried — one more victory for big money over the public good. More expensive hotels, more large luxury homes, more buildings covering an environmentally sensitive coastline that is unique to the world.

Where is the concern for the low- and moderate-income families seeking relief from the inland heat? Where is the recognition of the value of open space for recreation and contemplation?

But most importantly, where is our supposedly environmentally aware governor, who is allowing lobbyists to determine the fate of our miraculous California coast?

Time to take a hike, governor, preferably along the coast.

Christle Balvin, Pasadena

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To the editor: Lopez has done great work of late in alerting us to the grave dangers to our incomparably beautiful coastline.

Your article on the capitulation of the Coastal Commission to special interests has made his warnings all too real. My hope is that he will not give up his campaign because some have sold their souls in a Faustian compact.

Peter O’Reilly, Claremont

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To the editor: I was pleased to see the little bird that could — the coastal California gnatcatcher — is slowing down development along our beautiful California coast. Something the Coastal Commission, the State Assembly, the Senate and Gov. Jerry Brown would not do.

Mindy Taylor-Ross, Venice

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