Cove restoration not in jeopardy

Paul Clinton

CRYSTAL COVE -- The deep cuts Gov. Gray Davis ordered be made in the

state’s budget aren’t expected to affect the restoration of the 46

cottages in Crystal Cove State Park.

The effort to preserve and restore the cottages will continue as

planned, despite budget cuts, said California State Parks spokesman Roy

Stearns.

“Crystal Cove is set as a priority,� Stearns said. “That’s not one of

the places where we would make cuts.�

Davis ordered his department heads to prepare the cuts on Thursday, as

a result of a weak economy, the state’s energy debts and fallout from the

Sept. 11 attacks.

Parks officials moved forward with cove restoration plans Friday,

announcing a Nov. 1 public meeting for the residents to “roll up their

sleeves and get a hands-on grasp of the issues,� according to Parks

Planner Bob Hare.

It continues the discussion from an April 26 planning meeting, in

which the state listened to ideas about how to restore the historic

cottages.

The parks board is expected to vote on a plan for the cove in spring

2002. It is expected to be a blend of overnight rentals for as low as $20

a night, and a place for research and education.

Local environmentalist and longtime Crystal Cove activist Jeannette

Merrilees praised the state for promising to protect funding for the

cove.

“I think that’s great that it’s first priority,� Merrilees said. “It

should be.�