Crystal Cove residents have had their time

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 25 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, 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 for, and received, a five-year extension, with no

public review, and no obvious benefit to the public coffers.

The move-out-date of Dec. 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.

And where would the $50 million come from? Ten percent of the

residents signed an agreement to vacate on April 1, in exchange for a

$3,000 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 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 TVs, 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 governor know what you

think. Let your 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 (949)

497 5081 or ccooper@ cooperdesign.net.