Reflections on the Achievements of “A Band of Amigos”
What had always been a dream to so many became a reality when on October 4, 2004, over 300 state and federal officials, including the Lt. Governor and community members gathered at Bolsa Chica to witness the start of restoration of the Bolsa Chica Wetland. Speeches were given by state and federal officials, but the most heartfelt speech was given by the Amigos' first President, Herb Chatterton. He spoke on behalf of the hundreds of Amigos who had dedicated a major part of their lives to the project. He gave a very moving account on why citizens would give up so much of their time, energy and money to fight for what they believed was a noble battle. I hope the following words will describe how these citizens fought the “good fight” and prevailed. Housewives, attorneys, doctors, schoolteachers, and professors, all believing in a goal of saving a wetland.
The fight to save this resource began in 1972 when two local organizations, the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women began to study why it was important to save open space in the Bolsa Chica. The League of Women Voters did a study which they presented to their members in small local study groups. The presentation that I heard was done by the first male member of the local League of Women Voters and I who had fought the inclusion of men into our group, having said that “we women were doing just fine” had to admit that it was one of the best presentations I had heard. “The Human Use of Urban Space” study group of AAUW came to the same conclusion regarding the importance of wetlands and open space. This led to a joint meeting where it was decided that a single purpose advocacy organization had to be formed if we were to embark upon what was not known at the time, which would be one of the longest and most successful environmental battles ever seen in the State. For advice and support we turned to Frank and Fran Robinson who had helped save Upper Newport Bay in 1975. A meeting was held in a living room near the Bolsa Chica with about twenty in attendance that laid the groundwork for the formation of a recognized organization. The next meeting was at the Huntington Beach City Hall when the organization was formalized and the name Amigos de Bolsa Chica was adopted. The name was given to us by Ruth Bailey, an Amigos member, who later would become the Mayor of Huntington Beach. Amigos de Bolsa Chica was officially incorporated in 1976.
What was next? Since the company who owned the land, The Signal Landmark Company, was doing a “dog and pony” show throughout the city touting their marina development, the Amigos set about educating the public as to why the Bolsa Chica Wetlands should be saved. Signal Landmark portrayed the wetlands as something that must be developed, much as Huntington Harbor had been developed, turning a degraded swamp into homes and a marina. Amigos had different ideas. Remember that Huntington Harbor was developed with no outcry from the public. Signal, who at one time had the opportunity to unite in one project with the developers of Huntington Harbor, but refused, thought they could create another housing and marina project with little opposition. But we realized that wetlands were important and since 90% of California wetlands had been destroyed, we had confidence that the public would see that it was critical to save those that remained. But how could you save a wetland that was once the second largest oil field in California? How could you convince the public that these were not swamps that should be filled in? Convincing was done through a desire for the community for open space and the knowledge of what wetlands provided. They were shown that in times of floods and possible tsunamis, wetlands offered a buffer between homes and the sea. Wetlands provided nurseries for the fish of the ocean and that as our fish populations were being reduced, this was extremely important. The Bolsa Chica is a part of the Pacific Flyway and thousands of birds use these wetlands for resting and feeding and for some nesting, including five endangered species. Migratory birds come from thousands of miles away. But the question remained how to turn an oil field into a vibrant wetland. In the next 45 years many of these early questions would be answered. As a part of the educational process tours were given by the Amigos for the general public and schools and colleges. Presentations were made before local clubs and organizations and the Amigos continued to educate themselves as to the importance of this monumental task.
The seemingly implausible, 30-year fight was taken to City Hall, State commissions, State and Federal agencies, the County Board of Supervisors, the State Legislature and the courts. Of course, what became very apparent was the fact that most of the decisions regarding the Bolsa Chica would be made by governmental bodies or the courts. For the most part the Amigos members did not have the backgrounds which allowed them to enter into this arena, but they soon learned. Most important, they learned that the single most important lesson learned was to always base your information and testimony on factual and scientific evidence. Although you may feel passionate about your subject you would never be successful before a governmental body without good scientific information and answers. Careful research was always done. The Bolsa Chica was under the jurisdiction of the County of Orange when this all began, so it was the Board of Supervisors who made many of the early decisions on what the future would be. In general, they were development oriented, and would, as this issue progressed, make decisions that weighed heavily in favor of allowing a marina and housing to be developed at Bolsa Chica. Members of the Amigos met with the Planning Commission members, and members of the Board of Supervisors pleading our case and making minimal headway on some issues.
We must remember that when all of this started, we were at the very beginning of the protection that would be afforded by the Coastal Act. We didn't have the Clean Water Act, so later wetland protections were not yet in place. Very early on we were faced with Signal Landmark going to the State Legislature trying to get legislation in place that would allow them to build 5,700 homes and create a marina with an open entrance to the sea. One bill would have even removed the Bolsa Chica from the jurisdiction of the Coastal Commission. Each bill was defeated because the Amigos had learned to become “lobbyists”. They visited Sacramento when a bill detrimental to the Bolsa Chica was presented and each time they were able to speak with a Senator or Assembly member or with an Aide and each time were able to convince the legislator to vote against what Signal proposed. Amigos soon had the reputation of coming with the facts and with information you could trust. If we had not lobbied so effectively, you would now see a marina surrounded by homes instead of a functioning restored wetland. On one trip to Sacramento, I remember standing with Peter Green after we had defeated a bill and seeing the Signal people before they boarded their private plane laughing and talking. Peter turned to me and said, “If we won, why are they laughing?” Always remember there will be a last laugh! Another trip was in the heat of the summer, and I was in Sacramento with Lorraine Faber, the President of Amigos de Bolsa Chica. We went our separate ways and later when I went looking for her, I found her in a restroom soaking her feet which were blistered after walking hours in the halls of the Legislature. On another trip we were in the office of the Senator who was carrying out legislation which would have removed the jurisdiction of the Coastal Commission from decisions on the Bolsa Chica. When we asked to meet him, we were told he was not in the office! The trouble was that we could see him standing in his office. We could only hope that we truly were that “scary” and he felt we might be able to convince his fellow legislators to kill the bill – WHICH THEY DID! He was later convicted of wrongdoing while serving in the Senate. He spent 7 years in prison. We testified before legislative committees, a daunting task if you had never done it before. With shaky hands and sometimes a terrified voice we spoke before these bodies and our message gained their respect. They always knew that we did our homework, that they could trust our statements and that what we were trying to achieve was right and most important was legal. It was very difficult to say NO! We usually met with success, for they could not do otherwise based on the facts they heard. If one has not participated in these efforts, I don't think you can imagine how it was done and what a formidable task it was. Amigos members who initially did not know how Sacramento functioned walked the halls, usually during the heat of summer, talking with anyone who would take an appointment or just meet us in a hallway. Many times, I would meet with an aide and people would say, “Oh you didn't meet with the Senator”! I soon learned that the best people to speak with were the aides to the elected official. They were young, understood environmental issues and usually were the last person to brief the Senator or Assembly member before that individual went into the committee room. They sometimes became our best allies!
Not only did we have to fight on every level of governmental jurisdiction, we also were fighting on the legal front. In 1970, before the Coastal Act was approved by the voters and the State Legislature, Signal Landmark, the property owner, purchased 2000 acres of the Bolsa Chica with the intent of developing all 2000 acres. The state disagreed with Signal. They claimed that 528 acres of the lowlands were historic tide and submerged lands. Signal contended these acres were free from the State's claim since they were conveyed into private ownership by a Mexican Land Grant. In 1973 the state and Signal agreed to a compromise where the State acquired 327.5 acres for the public and deeded 1,700 acres to Signal in fee. Amigos disagreed and in 1979 filed a lawsuit which stated that the 1973 agreement between the state and Signal Landmark was not valid. The complaint stated that the State could not trade the lowlands that historically belong to the public. The lawsuit was supported by the National Audubon Society, Sierra Club and the League for Coastal Protection. After years going through the courts, the lawsuit was finally settled out of court in 1989. By this time many of the goals of the Amigos had been reached. During those ten years, many of our members had to learn the legal system, they had to research the issues for our attorneys, and they had to raise funds to pay the attorneys. However, I must say that our attorneys did most of the work pro bono, but still they had to receive some compensation. This meant that after each fundraiser, the President and the Treasurer had long conversations on how much we could afford to pay the attorneys. I learned a valuable lesson throughout the entire process. Why did attorneys and consultants never seem to want to conclude a meeting or telephone conversation....it was called “billable hours”. I learned to keep the talk right on point and not spend time on asking how they and their families were!!
Of course, the next steps were hundreds of meetings with the State Coastal Commission who would have the final say on what would happen at Bolsa Chica. We spent hours preparing our testimony, lining up speakers and always knowing that the strength of the Amigos was objectivity, scientific facts, and the knowledge that the decision to save the Bolsa Chica was in the hands of 12 appointed commissioners. We learned very early in this journey that the final decision was a button pushed, a hand raised, or a voice with aye or nay. It was our job to provide the facts for both the staff and members of the commission. We soon learned that we had the Coastal Act and its provisions as being the most protective document of wetlands, along with the Clean Water Act. We soon saw that more and more people were recognizing the importance of wetlands and that many of the Coastal Commissioners understood why they should support our efforts. The very first meeting of the Commission regarding the Bolsa Chica was held at a hotel in the LAX area. We were able to rally hundreds of volunteers to sit through hours of meetings and to testify before the commission. I will never forget a group of Native Americans who took a bus to the hearing from Orange County to let the Commissioners understand the importance of the Bolsa Chica to their history and heritage. At the same time Signal had all of their attorneys, consultants, lobbyists and a busload of people that were entertained in a private suite at the hotel during the meeting. These meetings would continue off and on for the next 30 years, meeting in all parts of the State. One of those commissioners and one time chair, is now a board member of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica, Mel Nutter.
During our long history several attempts were made to bring the various sides together to try and resolve the many differences we had. However, this first attempt failed and Amigos had to walk away when they found that the discussions were being directed by the development community and only concessions by the Amigos would be an acceptable resolution. A second attempt was held and two representatives from Amigos were asked to participate. The reputation of the other participants made it possible for the Amigos to join this effort, as a past Executive Director of the State Coastal Commission would act as the facilitator and all of the State and Federal Agencies would be members, along with representatives from the City of Huntington Beach and the County of Orange, as well as the property owner, Signal Landmark. Adrienne Morrison and Shirley Dettloff, President of the Amigos, represented our organization. The Bolsa Chica Coalition met for almost a year and came up with a position. The majority of the wetlands would be saved, there would be no ocean connector between Huntington Harbor and the wetlands, no navigable ocean entrance and marina, no commercial development, but development would be allowed on the mesa, and 900 homes could be built in the lowlands in an area considered degraded. The Amigos agreed to this as they considered the gains they made worth the risk of the 900 homes. It took many weeks and there was an intense debate to reach this decision. However, this decision was reached because Amigos knew there were protections in the Coastal Act and Clean Water Act to prevent development on this land. If the federal agencies complied with their own rules, the development of 900 homes would never take place. Was this a RISK? Yes! But one we were willing to attain the concessions we had worked so hard to achieve. In the end we were able to secure all of the wetlands and all of the concessions that had been made and felt that although it was a risk, it was worth it. Amigos had always been risk takers, but in doing so we were able to achieve our goals, but it was accomplished step by step. During the Coalition process some members of Amigos walked away from the organization, as they felt that we should never have accepted anything but having a full out VICTORY! However, history will show that some of the decisions made in the Coalition led to gaining all of the wetlands. During this process, the Coalition members met with both the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles to convince them that mitigation funds used for enlargement of the ports should be used at Bolsa Chica. After the Coalition was disbanded, the Ports, because of this effort, decided to provide the funding to purchase most of the Bolsa Chica and put it in the hands of the State of California. I want to remind everyone that the fight to achieve State ownership was helped significantly by the work of Lucy Dunn representing Signal Landmark. After the Coalition disbanded, she carried the message to Sacramento and greatly influenced the State decision to take ownership of the wetland. Of course, she was representing her employer Signal Landmark as they would receive financial compensation. Out of the Coalition we were able to achieve the settlement of our long, costly and contentious lawsuit.
After the Coalition Agreement was signed by the Amigos, the work of preparing an EIR was begun by Signal Landmark's consultants. This was a very intense time and, as we had predicted, the plans for development in the lowlands were being questioned by the Coastal Commission staff and many local environmental organizations. However, at the Coastal Commission hearing, the Coastal Commission rejected the staff's recommendation for denial and voted to approve the County Local Coastal Plan (LCP). As an organization which supported the Coalition Agreement, which was reflected in the LCP, the Amigos found themselves in a very difficult position. Many supporters were lost. The Bolsa Chica Land Trust filed a lawsuit against the Coastal Commission, the landowner and every State and Federal Agency involved. The lawsuit said that development in the wetlands was not allowed, filing of Warner Pond and relocation of the eucalyptus trees was not legal. They won this lawsuit on two important points: there would be no development in the lowlands and no filling of Warner Pond. Many changes had to be made to the plan as a result of the lawsuit. During this time discussions on the State acquiring the wetlands were taking place with actual public ownership occurring in 1997. Much of this can be attributed to the work done by the Coalition team during that process and the continued work done by Signal Landmark's representatives in Sacramento.
A morning to remember was when the Amigos filled the Huntington Beach City Council on February 12, 1997, for the hearing where the State was set to assume ownership of the Bolsa Chica. The State Lands Commission met that morning to decide if they would assume the ownership of the wetlands. Commissioners Gray Davis, Lt. Governor was chair of the commission. We had gotten to know the Lt. Governor when he was Chief of Staff to Governor Jerry Brown. Instead of meeting with the Governor we had a quick 5 minutes with Gray Davis in the back hallway, hoping we could be very convincing; maybe we were! There was a great deal of tension in the room because the oil companies who were still drilling in the Bolsa Chica, and had to be a part of any agreement, had not made a final decision to support the agreement. Many meetings, some at City Hall, had taken place in the last few hours to try and settle any questions the oil company had. The Commission adjourned the meeting, while the local representatives made a call to their corporate office in Bakersfield to try and get a final answer. The AERA Energy representatives went into the backroom just off the Council Chambers and after 15 minutes the meeting reconvened with the oil company accepting the conditions of the agreement. The State of California now had assumed responsibility for the Bolsa Chica.
After the ruling on the Land Trust’s lawsuit, the next step for the County and Signal Landmark was to revise their LCP application. This was done with the elimination of development on the wetlands and saving Warner Pond. The Land Trust still opposed any development on the mesa, and they found allies within the Coastal Commission staff who relied on the expert advice of several raptor experts including Peter Bloom. These experts believed that the mesa afforded habitat and a food source for the raptors that also used the wetland environment. The Amigos also felt that a case had been made to save the mesa. Signal took exception to this and threatened to take Amigos to court if we pursued a course of disagreement with their planning proposal. They based this on the fact that we had signed the Coalition Agreement, but we felt, with legal advice, that they had on several occasions broken the agreement. They had moved the planning process from the City of Huntington Beach to the County of Orange, and most importantly the plan that went to the Coastal Commission was a very different plan than the Coalition Plan. At the time of the Coastal Commission meeting, I was a member of the Coastal Commission. Agreeing with staff, I supported limited development on the mesa and made the motion to support the staff recommendation and the vote was 12-0. In the audience were several representatives from Sacramento who were to have carried the Governor's support position of Signal's plan, but did not say a word. The two Commissioners who represented State Lands and Fish and Game also sat silent. Finally, the Commission had spoken, and all of the wetlands were saved as well as a significant portion of the mesa. A real cause for celebration!
The Amigos carried the responsibility of saving the wetlands, and while other organizations were formed to protect the wetlands and to add upland acreage, our legacy will always be that we were the first organization to recognize the importance of the Bolsa Chica and never give up on achieving our goals. We have always had great respect for the work that is being done by the Bolsa Chica Land Trust (formed in 1992). During our work in the Coalition, representatives of the Trust came to us and wanted us to work with them to achieve saving all of the land, both the lowlands and the upland mesa areas. Although we applauded their work, we felt that we had made decisions within the Coalition process that we would have to stand behind and that the wetlands had to remain our primary goal. This of course caused some friction within the greater community, but we felt that we must stand behind what we felt was in the best interest of saving all of the wetlands.
During the Coalition process the Amigos felt that the restoration of the wetlands would not be done in the best possible way by the landowner. We felt that the restoration process must have a more neutral yet well-respected group to oversee and review the restoration process, so we urged the Coalition to name a committee to do this work. Thus, a group was put together which included a representative from the city, the county and the state and federal agencies who had experience with wetland restoration. This group also included community representatives and members of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica. This group would eventually become the Bolsa Chica Conservancy. As the years went by and it was clear the Conservancy would not oversee the restoration, the makeup of the Conservancy would change dramatically. Instead, to safeguard the restoration process, a group of state and federal agencies was put together to oversee the restoration work, the Bolsa Chica Steering Committee. The Steering Committee continues to meet to make and approve all big decisions about management of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The Amigos has always respected the work of the other organizations working to protect and provide education about the Reserve. We want a responsible restoration of the Mesa and support the work being done by the Trust. As part of our mission we feel that a permanent Interpretive Center should be built and to that end we will work with the Conservancy if everyone agrees that this is something we want to accomplish.
In 1995 the Amigos were honored by the Wildlife Society Western Section when they were awarded the coveted 1995 Conservationist of the Year Award. The Wildlife Society is an international organization comprised of over 9000 professional wildlife biologists and ecologists. In 2002 Sea and Sage Audubon Society gave the Amigos the Fern Zimmerman Conservation Award for 30 years of successful efforts to preserve Bolsa Chica. In 2007 The Amigos were also recognized for their work by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and were one of 8 organizations in the nation to receive the award. We were recognized as a local organization which accomplished the goal of protecting a resource which was of worldwide importance. Our President, along with others, were recognized at a ceremony in Washington D.C., an evening never to be forgotten! Also that year the Amigos received the local American Society of Landscape Architects Public Stewardship Award for promoting natural open space in Bolsa Chica. In 2014 we received an award from American Fisheries Society, AFS Cal-Neva Chapter.
Many of our members also became political leaders in the community. Former Mayors who were members of the Amigos include Norma Gibbs, Harriett Weider, Ruth Finley, Ruth Bailey, Linda Moulton Patterson, Shirley Dettloff, Ralph Bauer, Vic Leipzig, Dave Garofola and Peter Green. Many of the lessons learned from their work with the Amigos led them to seek office. For many years politicians running for office always had a picture taken standing near the wetlands with a pledge to support saving Bolsa Chica. They all sought the endorsement of the organization. For decades, the Bolsa Chica was the most important environmental issue in Orange County.
What will always be remembered as a GREAT MOMENT, A GREAT DAY and a day when all of our efforts would be realized, the day when the ocean waters flowed directly into the Bolsa Chica. Early in the morning of August 24, 2006, many of our long-term Amigos, who had worked on behalf of the wetlands, stood on the bridge on Pacific Coast Highway and watched as the final sand was pushed away to let the water flow into the restored Bolsa Chica Wetland for the first time since 1899. It was still dark, there were no glorious speeches, but TV crews were there to film this historic day. Later I would stand on the bridge as the NBC helicopter flew over and their crew asking me why this day was so important! That morning with Amigos and others including key state and federal officials watching, Vic Leipzig raised a glass of champagne and told us all why this day was so important to the history of Bolsa Chica and the people who made this happen. Vic Leipzig's historic toast: “Amigos we all have a tremendous amount to be grateful for this morning. For the beautiful sky and the wonderful ocean, and the tremendous bay that has been created last year, recreating the bay God made, we have made another. Le us hope that God smiles upon it and blesses it with the wildlife, the fish, the vegetation and the good health that he gave to the original. Let's thank the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the State Land Commission and the hosts of other organizations and agencies that brought this day to fruition. To Bolsa Chica, Long May It live!!” The Amigos finally left the bridge as the sun came up and they all went to breakfast and feasted on the joy of doing something that was so important and becoming friends forever.
This was NOT, however, the end of our journey. We must keep a careful eye on restoration, which is still not done with 400 acres left to restore, and we still must make sure that the restored wetlands are maintained. The past years were always exciting, and the future will continue be one of commitments to guarantee that the restoration functions as designed and that we will have a fully functioning wetlands for future generations.
It was not only the hard work convincing decisions makers to support the cause, but there were great times of fun and camaraderie. Every year a party was held to celebrate our successes called the Bolsa Bash. It was a party to bring everyone together in celebration. Of course there were great costs to accomplish our goals, costs that went beyond the membership dues. To cover the cost of trips to Sacramento, Washington D.C., running an office, printing and publishing, we started what was called a Fun Run. The Run was done on a Saturday morning, and its course ran parallel to the ocean at Bolsa Chica State Beach. It was very successful, because it was fun and contributed to a great cause and maybe because of its name “Running is for the Birds”. Hundreds of runners came out to support the work we were doing and to have a great time. We also had great fun marching as “The Bird Watchers” in the Huntington Beach 4th of July parade with binoculars around our necks, funny hats, and marching in formation; the crowd went wild! We made many new friends that day. It also made up for the fact that at one time we had been denied entry into the 4th of July parade because we were thought of as too “political.” However, the Democrats and Republicans have always marched up Main St. on the 4th of July. Standing hand in hand with 600 other Amigos to form a line of people on the water's edge at Bolsa Chica State Beach to mark a line where the navigable ocean entrance would be if the Coastal Commission allowed for a marina to be built at Bolsa Chica received great newspaper publicity. An annual picnic was held in Lake Park every summer to thank our many volunteers, with an annual Christmas Party. Many lasting friendships have been made which have lasted to this day 50 years later.
Along the way many interesting situations occurred. I remember being in the Amigos office one day when upon opening the mail, I saw a check for $5,000.00 from an address in Corona del Mar. We had never received such a large contribution. I questioned whether or not it was legitimate before getting my hopes up. So, I called the bank which the check was written on and the manager whom I spoke with just laughed and laughed. She said, “have you looked at the name on the check”? I did so and then the “light” went on, as the signature was Anne Getty of the Getty oil family. Anne is a true environmentalist, and she continues to support important environmental causes. I always thought how the connection to this contribution was so appropriate – the second largest oil field in California receiving support from the name Getty to be restored to a wetland!
A call to the office from Charles Moore was very critical to the future work of the Amigos. Charlie called the office and said that he wanted to give us some Signal Landmark Stock so we would have a voice as Signal stockholders. He asked if we would meet him at his bank on a Friday night. Feeling a little apprehensive since I did not know him, I asked Lorraine Faber to go with me to the meeting in Belmont Shore. At the bank Charlie produced a safety deposit box and asked how much we wanted in stocks. We told him that this was his decision, so he gave us a stack of certificates and then asked us to proceed to a bank in Long Beach where the acceptance of this stock would be legally done. We did so after a stop at his home, proceeded to the bank where the bank officials kept the bank open so the transaction could take place. WOW!! WOW!! We must have angels looking over us or at least two earth-bound angels: Anne and Charles!
Some years later another “angel” appeared. After the passing of the immensely dedicated member of our Board of Directors, Bill Stern, his widow Meredyth donated 2.2 million dollars to the Amigos de Bolsa Chica. These benefactors have confirmed that the work of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica has been and will continue to be vital and effective in saving the Bolsa Chica – and keeping the Bolsa Chica saved.
It all started before 1976 when a group of people in Huntington Beach, unknown to one another, got together to save what they believed was an invaluable natural resource right in their own community. Because of this small group of dedicated individuals much was achieved. These were not professionals, but people who came from every walk of life: students, housewives, teachers, engineers, lawyers and more, who devoted their lives to save a wetland for future generations.
Over the years many attempts have been made to incorporate the three groups into one organization so that the funds used for duplicating many of the same efforts and responsibilities could be used to strengthen our efforts to educate, to keep the wetlands functioning at a high level, to influence potential funding sources, to give tours and all the efforts that each group does. Why not work together on great educational programs, build an Interpretive Center, do research, restore the Mesa, instead of spending limited funds doing individual projects. Legislators in Sacramento used to ask and who are you? You mean you really have three organizations all with the same goals; it doesn't make sense! Or the corporate guy who says, “Yes, I already donated to the Bolsa Chica.” But when asked who got the funding, they didn't even know who it was given to. They just felt good that they could say their corporation was protecting the environment because they gave to the Bolsa Chica, even if they didn't know how the funds would be used. However, each group just can't seem to give up their own “sphere” or accommodate other positions and so each time the efforts collapsed; maybe egos got in the way, who knows, but I do know that the resource would benefit with ONE voice!
I am truly convinced that none of this would not have happened if our “Band of Amigos” had not persevered, given up much in their personal lives, and never stopped believing that what they were doing was a “noble purpose.” They gathered by the hundreds at Bolsa Chica State Beach and stood together in opposition to a navigable ocean entrance that would allow hundreds of boats into a marina. They attended literally hundreds of meetings at all levels of government. They gave tours of the wetlands to thousands of children, visitors and students. They spent countless hours lobbying in the County and in Sacramento. They gave their time and their money. AND MOST IMPORTANT, they went up against a powerful corporation, the State Legislature, the County Board of Supervisors, local officials and WON one of the most celebrated environmental fights ever seen in California. Some even stood up for what they believed was right and sacrificed their own personal goals. One of our past Presidents even gave up his position as a City Council member when he stood before hundreds of people who were opposing where the ocean entrance would be built and told them that this was the best place for such an entrance. He of course was right, and he has since been proven right, but he lost his bid for a second term with the Council. People who have integrity and knowledge and stand up for their principles are sometimes shunned by those who have less knowledge, but at the end of the day, he can say “I was right!” Does he regret his action? I doubt it, as he is a man with a moral compass.
Many had never been involved in such an endeavor, had never heard the term “environmentalist”, but thought that what they saw along the coast in Huntington Beach was worth their time and their efforts –the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. So began a journey which has never truly ended; some spent most of their adult lives involved with this monumental effort. Not one of those “Band of Amigos” would know that their lives would never be the same or that they would devote so many years to finally seeing success when the Bolsa Chica was finally saved and restored. It was through the efforts of so many that so much was achieved, a legacy was achieved, and it is now our responsibility to make sure that this legacy survives for generations. Everyone who was involved should be proud of what they accomplished and remember the letter they wrote, the tour they led, the testimony they gave, the money they gave, the meetings they attended, the trips to Sacramento and Washington D.C. Through the efforts of these dedicated volunteers who persevered year after year sometimes under criticism, when a battle was lost, when they thought that they could not give one more hour to the cause or conduct one more tour or attend one more meeting they continued on, and it was these ordinary people who did extraordinary things that SAVED THE BOLSA CHICA! Future generations will be indebted to the work they did to protect the future.