LETTER OF THE WEEK

The 600 people who showed up at the State Parks Department’s Jan. 18

“informational” meeting on plans for the historic district clearly

rejected the resort alternative. “No resort” was the cry.

They cheered loudest at the news that developer Michael Freed’s right

to develop the resort remains “subject to all permits and approvals not

yet had or obtained” -- a contract without the needed approvals is only

paper.

A stand-up ovation followed the challenge to Freed to exercise his

contract option to terminate the ill-conceived resort contract after

failing to obtain any of the appropriate approvals in the three years

since its signing.

“Put it in Riverside,” someone shouted from the rear.

The Sierra Club’s goal, since the state parks department revealed the

tentative resort in October of 1997, has been to reject this proposal as

contrary to California public resources code.

For more than three years since the parks department unveiled the

resort concession, the Sierra Club has pursued the goal of restoring the

democratic process -- legislative committee review, open hearings, floor

debate and public workshops on proposed changes to a park’s general plan.

We stand with the League of Women Voters in seeking open government,

citizen participation and meaningful public input in government

decisions. Nowhere should this concept be more carefully applied than in

planning for state parks, which are directly funded by voters and held in

trust by the state for their benefit.

This resort proposal appears to have been planned for the benefit of

the state (revenue) and whoever preferred an exclusive, private operation

of the Historic District. The Task Force for Crystal Cove urges state

parks director Rusty Areias to approach the legislature to drop the

resort contract from further consideration. They hope he’ll use all legal

means available, since it is totally devoid of voter support in the

community or the State.

If an emergency arises at any time during the two-year “Cease and

Desist” mandate regarding dumping waste into the water, the scope of

emergency work should be confined to the pumping, cleaning and filling of

the offending septic tanks and locating additional sources of pollution

within the park. Temporary toilets are already in use.

If tenants are to be evicted, rangers should be placed on duty around

the clock (or in residence) to protect and preserve Crystal Cove as

befits its park status. As soon as the 60-year concessionaire contract is

gone, Areias immediately should begin public meetings to consider other

options.

If our state parks director decides to go “full steam ahead” with

resort infrastructure beyond mere remedial runoff measures, in accord

with Freed’s recent decision to “proceed with the resort,” hundreds of

voters will feel betrayed by state government regarding Crystal Cove

State Park.

It is precisely this “we know what’s best for your park” attitude that

generates the clear outrage expressed on Jan. 18th.

JEANNETEE MERRILEES

Sierra Club Task Force for Crystal Cove State Park

Laguna Beach