Coastline Pilot/LA TIMES

4 March 2005

 

Chasing the Muse

Catharine Cooper

 

The dark ringed eye of the juvenile plover follows me as I settle into the sand to watch his foraging.  His stubby black beak repeatedly drives into the moist granules in search of an afternoon meal, while lazily, I sip from bottled water.  An afternoon breeze ruffles his black-tipped feathers, revealing a stunning white undercoat. The afternoon in Crystal Cove State Park is cool and crisp; a perfect prelude to spring after the recent winter deluge.

 

To the south and west, glorious cliff faces and the deep blue of the Pacific soothe my gaze.  I bask in this extension of our coastal open space. Behind me, multi-colored flags, various shades of paint, and deck furniture in various states of decay adorn the trailers that still lay claim to the most southern end of the Park.  I anxiously await, along with nearly everyone except the park’s ‘squatters’ the trailers removal and the completion of this recreational resource, envisioned twenty-five years ago.

 

The fact that the trailers remain is both irritating and annoying.  When we, the citizens of the State of California purchased the land from the Irvine Company in 1979 for $32.5 million dollars, I doubt that it was with the intent to provide discount oceanfront lodging for the few.  The fact that the residents were granted a 20-year extension of their ridiculously low leases, in lieu of a monetary relocation benefit, should have been the end of the story.  However, in 1998, the residents lobbied and received, a five-year extension, with no public review, and no obvious benefit to the public coffers.

 

The move-out-date of December 31, 2004, promised by the Park Service to those in attendance at a Canyon Conservancy meeting, has come and gone, yet the trailers remain.  A wild claim, that the demolition of the site would disrupt the plovers habitat, and violate the Endangered Species Act, was summarily rejected, on June 14, by a federal judge.

 

But still, the residents persist.  The state filed unlawful detainer complaints in January, with a likely eviction trial to follow in March.  The trial will be the first court appearance of the tenants.  An appellate court refused to hear an earlier injunction appeal.

 

The trailer park residents have hired consultants, public relation firms, and finally, it seems, have dug into the pockets of freshman assemblyman, Chuck Devore, of Irvine.  Recently revealed documents indicate that Devore received some $30,000 in campaign contributions from the trailer park’s residents.

 

Together, it seems, they have developed yet another scheme to attempt a continuation their exclusive use of this public land.   Devore has floated two bills - AB 328 and AB 329.  AB 328 would grant the residents a 30-year extension of their leases, in exchange for paying the state $50 million dollars.  

 

And where would the $50 million would come from?  10% of the residents signed an agreement to vacate on April 1st, in exchange for a $3000 payment to cover the cost of removing their homes, demolition of the foundations, and water and utility bills.  That leaves 275 residents to divide $50 million.  That’s approximately $181,800 per trailer – a hefty one-lump sum, yet they’ve been living on the cheap for a while, so I imagine they have fat savings.  I wonder if the folks on the hillside would be expected to ante up the same as those on the coastal front.  And what if the residents can’t make the payments? 

 

AB 329 establishes rent at $3.2 million annually.  One big number does not equal big payments.  A little math pencils out to $888 per unit per month.  This is supposed to be a great deal for the public?  Which of us wouldn’t jump at the chance to live in an oceanfront home in a nearly private community for $888 per month?

 

Of course the El Morro residents are fighting to keep their sweetheart deal.  Why shouldn’t they?  But it is time for them to let go.  It’s past time to move on.  Their selfishness and stubbornness will continue to cost us – the taxpayers – money to fight a lawsuit for access to what is already rightfully ours. 

 

Personally, I think the plover is pretty sick of listening to their televisions, their stereos, and coping with their night lighting.  I know I am.  We’ve waited more than 25 years for access to a park that we’ve already paid for.  Stay involved.  Let the Gov know what you think.  Let you legislators know what you think.  Let your City Council know what you think.  It’s already your land.

 

Catharine Cooper loves wild places.  She can be reached at 714 296 5250 or ccooper@cooperdesign.net.