Bolsa Chica Project Violates Coastal Act

* I find it odd that Tom Mathews is surprised by how critical the staff of the [California] Coastal Commission is to the proposed Bolsa Chica project (“Marsh Wars,” Nov. 11).

In their comments about the two environmental impact reports, Coastal Commission staff repeatedly pointed out numerous ways this development violates the Coastal Act. In comments to both drafts of the EIR, commission staff stressed that the building of houses on wetlands is not allowed under the Coastal Act.

Staff also had many concerns about the restoration plan and impacts that building on the mesa would have on the wetlands and other environmentally sensitive habitat areas. These concerns were not addressed in the final EIR, or in the local coastal plan, so what else is Commission staff to do but issue a report which more realistically recognized how harmful this project is for the environment at Bolsa Chica?

Staff is just doing its job, which is to advise the commission of how a proposed development is not consistent with the law, and to suggest changes which bring the project more in line with the Coastal Act.

While we agree with aspects of the staff report, we continue to believe that the last thing appropriate for Bolsa Chica is housing and are working toward acquisition of all 1,700 acres.

Despite the delay in the hearing, the Land Trust remains confident that no housing will ever be constructed at Bolsa Chica and eventually all of Bolsa Chica will be preserved as open space.

CONNIE BOARDMAN

President, Bolsa Chica Land Trust

Huntington Beach