mailbag - Aug. 23, 2001

The Bolsa Chica mesa supports the wildlife of the attached wetlands,

and is all part of the precious California coastline, which most

residents have shown the desire to preserve in its biological, historical

and spiritual richness for all succeeding generations (“Plans submitted

for development at Bolsa Chica,” Aug. 16).

Furthermore, this is one of the few remaining open spaces in

Huntington Beach. Preservation, not concretization, raises the spirits of

humanity, preserves the land of our human and animal forebears and

uplifts our spirits. Across the country and up and down our coast, there

are now movements to preserve -- not pave -- the last remaining open

spaces and will this legacy to those who come after us.

Who could say that concretizing the ancient homeland of an Indian

tribe and current home and feeder site to varied wildlife, will represent

a proud monument for our collective future? Since the heyday of

development in Orange County approximately 30 years ago, the mentality of

Americans has changed as they see firsthand the lasting effects of large

developments on our landscape and psyches.

In the case of Bolsa Chica, Hearthside Homes speaks of housing units

on the mesa to sell for $500,000 and up. While Orange County may need

more housing for service workers, no one could call those structures

planned for the mesa to be “affordable housing.”

ELLEN RILEY

Huntington Beach

No development for Bolsa Chica

This sounds like a ploy to get one foot in the door and we all know

what happens after that.

There should be no building on the mesa and I’m sure that their plans

for 387 homes will not go over well with the environmental community. The

Bolsa Chica is just about our last open space. My hope is that it will

always remain in a natural state contributing to the quality of life for

all of us and continuing to harbor the wildlife still living around the

wetlands.

LOIS VACKARHuntington Beach