Some positive boardwalk banter

Hi, I’m James Shattuck (seen in your picture on the front page of

the Daily Pilot on Tuesday with my wife, Sue Hart).

We have been walking the beautiful Back Bay for years, always

staying on the path, not wanting to disturb the natural habitat, and

enjoying the birds, wildlife and wild flowers. I think an answer to

the problem of keeping people on the trails is educating them about

the endangered plants, birds and animals, and how going off the path

causes erosion, which causes a chain reaction which hurts all

elements of the habitat. Also restricting the paths to walking

(people and horses) and no bikes. Enforce it by having a ranger on

duty, and give out citations, if necessary.

We have been walking in the Back Bay every day for years and

rarely see anyone go off the trail. As it is now, it’s very enjoyable

to get out and walk in fresh air and get some exercise. I think

building a boardwalk would ruin the overall natural experience, not

to mention the time and all the money we would spend. Why not use a

portion of that money to have the Back Bay patrolled regularly by a

ranger, add more signs to educate people why they need to stay on the

path, and offer classes at the nature center (if they don’t already)

about the habitat, wild flowers, bird species in the area, geology,

insects, etc.? Keep it as wild as possible. Set up a similar program

as the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Conservancy Program, offering

docent-led tours which brings the attention to the forefront of how

important it is to keep open space wild and to respect the natural

habitat. Sell T-shirts, mugs -- “Keep it Wild,” “Save the Habitat,”

etc. Just a few suggestions.

JAMES SHATTUCK

Costa Mesa

The Back Bay restoration projects described in your article are

both very worthy and necessary for preserving this wonderful natural

resource within our city. These projects are supported by all of the

organizations, both public and private, that have a stake in the

Ecological Reserve and Nature Preserve. We are fortunate to have the

support of local environmental organizations, such as the Newport Bay

Naturalists and Friends and local public officials such as Asst. City

Manager Dave Kiff to help preserve the bay.

In addition, we are very lucky to have the support and funding

from the Community Conservancy International program to help our

local organizations. The boardwalk project will help provide better

public access to the bay, while helping to protect the delicate

habitat it encompasses, so it is indeed necessary. We hope these

projects will receive widespread community support to enhance our

beautiful Upper Newport Bay.

JEAN AND GALE WHITAKER

Newport Beach

Earth Resource Foundation supports a well-designed network of

boardwalks in the Back Bay. These boardwalks are needed to protect

both flora and fauna in the Upper Newport Bay Reserve and Preserve.

These areas include endangered species such as the Light-footed

Clapper Rail. The areas in need of boardwalks are the sensitive

habitat areas.

Unfortunately, the picture and front-page article in the Pilot

convey the impression that the areas considered for the boardwalks

are the on the bluffs. This is incorrect. The longest proposed

boardwalk would be along the west side of the Delhi channel outlet,

continuing along the bottom of the bluffs, not the top. Other

possible sites for boardwalks might actually extend into the

marshland shore areas at selected places giving visitors wonderful

views without the severe impact that accompanies random trails.

Some would have the Back Bay closed to all, and others would have

it totally unrestricted, but a balanced approach of allowing

appropriate access to residents is far better. It is these people

that need to see and experience the estuary to truly appreciate what

a valuable asset it truly is. The construction of boardwalks is

crucial, so that the access desired by so many can be accommodated

without ruining the very thing that most have come to enjoy.

DENNIS BAKER

Board president,

Earth Resource Foundation

Costa Mesa

Yes, a boardwalk really is needed for a variety of reasons.

PAT DEL CAMPO

Fountain Valley

Please. Support the restoration plans for the Back Bay. It is an

ecological gem. How many estuaries do we have left? We want to be

proud showcasing it, and right now, it is a disgrace. Big Canyon is

the main place most people start from because there is a parking lot.

The restroom facilities are frightening, and the displays, bridges

and trails are in terrible disrepair. Let’s get moving on it

immediately. I’m a longtime visitor and birder.

LENA YEE HAYASHI

Huntington Beach