Environmental Press # 294

Subj: Ballona West Bluffs and Hellman
Date: 7/26/2003 1:41:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: doug@seal-beach.org
To: voiceforveterans@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)

1. Sun., Jul 27 3 P.M. BALLONA WEST BLUFFS VIGIL
2. Thu., Aug 7 all-day Hellman Mitigation Plan is the last item

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1. FORWARDED FROM LESLIE PURCELL
Ballona West Bluff Ceremonial Walk and Protest Vigil
When: Sunday, July 27th, 2003, from 3–5pm.
Where: Meet on Lincoln Blvd. just north of W. 83rd St. in Westchester/Playa del Rey.
Ceremonial Circle followed by Walk along Lincoln to corner of Jefferson Blvd. for Vigil.
What: The West Bluff is the last remaining undeveloped bluff of the Ballona ecosystem, and is in imminent danger of destruction by Catellus Development Corporation. Please join with members of the Gabrielino/ Tongva, other Indian groups, and the community, to commemorate the ancestors whose burials have recently been found, and to protest Catellus’ continuing destruction on the bluff.

Catellus has begun to destroy Hastings Canyon at the west end of the bluff this week, Recently many more areas have been roped off across the eastern high ground,

 

indicating probable burials. This is a critical time in all of our efforts to save the bluff.
Please come and show your support for the ancestors and the land.

Background: On June 11th, a first burial site was found on the top of the bluff by archaeologists working for the developer. Many burials have since been found and the controversial use of heavy grading equipment for the stated purpose of archaeology continues. Many more burials are being uncovered as grading continues. The Native American Heritage Commission has asked that work on the project be halted. Catellus’ response has been to speed up grading with more earth-moving equipment.

"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."... Directions from 405: Take the 90-Marina Freeway west to Lincoln Blvd. Go left (south) on Lincoln (HWY 1) over Ballona Creek channel, through Ballona wetlands (Playa Capital LLC on left). The West Bluff will be ahead on the right. Go up
the hill past Loyola Marymount University (on the left). Park on Lincoln before 83rd St.
Contacts: Leslie Purcell 310-737-1111 &
Rachelle Figuroa 310-876-1819

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2. But for the late Acjachemen elder Lillian Robles, and a Coastal Commission that listened to the voice of the ancestors, this could have happened at Hellman in Seal Beach. Now, the developer at Hellman has agreed to alter the tract map, cutting back to 64 houses, to dedicate the Native American cemetery on the property. In addition,
there will be an interpretive center, overlooking the park now known as Gum Grove Park, where school kids can learn a little about the history of the people who lived here for thousands of years -- and cared for the land. There may be historic markers, native plant information, and some other exhibits -- a gift to the entire community. 3rd graders from all over can come to learn about the Ti'ats which landed here for hundreds of years, about the way the land looked, a little about the culture and laws of the Tongva.

Coastal Commission August Findings
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
21500 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714-698-1234

"Agenda Item 17.5 CONDITION COMPLIANCE on Permit No. 5-97-367, as amended (Hellman, Seal Beach). Public hearing and action on cultural resources mitigation plan submitted by Hellman Properties LLC & John Laing Homes, pursuant to condition of permit (that authorized subdivision including 70 residential lots, implementation of archeological investigation, 420,000 cu.yds. of grading, dedication of Gum Grove Park, reservation of 157 acres for habitat restoration, and construction of water quality bio-swale & basin), at northeast of Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1), southeast of San Gabriel River, south of Adolfo Lopez Drive, west of Seal Beach Boulevard, and North of Marina Hill, Seal Beach, County of Orange. (KFS-LB)"

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/Doug
562-430-2495

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