A Letter
by Friends of the RanchLand
Dear Honorable Representatives, Senators, Ladies and
Gentlemen:
Friends of the RanchLand, an organization of over 800
supporters mostly on the North Coast of San Luis Obispo
County, learned only today of an incredible plan by the
Navy to begin bombing practice on the Hunter-Liggett
Military Reservation. What kind of insanity is at work
here?
Our organization is 100% opposed to any increase in
military activity at Hunter-Liggett, so close to the
Ventana Wilderness, the Santa Lucia Mountains, and the
valleys of Lakes Nacimiento and San Antonio. We are
appalled that Navy officials would have the effrontery to
propose such a ridiculous project.
You most certainly are aware of the efforts to bring
the California Condor back from the edge of extinction.
Many birds have been released in this area and certainly
must be protected from bombing and screaming jets in
their -- the condors' -- air space. Similar efforts have
been successful in bringing the American Bald Eagle back
after the DDT problems of the last century and so much
loss of habitat. There are other threatened and
endangered species which live in this region and must be
protected.
The Ventana Wilderness Area must be spared the
activities of these impudent jet jockeys. They routinely
destroy the silence and tranquility of the three National
Parks in the Sierra -- Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and
Sequoia. They must not be allowed to invade more of our
wilderness.
Please consider this an urgent appeal from 800
voters(!) to discontinue any planning for this
ill-conceived project. Can you imagine how the Hearst
family would feel now about their gift of Hunter-Liggett
land as part of the war effort back in the Forties? Such
an abuse of our land should not be tolerated.
Lastly, I would like to protest the "stealth" manner
in which the U.S. Navy announced its intentions. There
certainly was no honest effort to inform more than the
absolute minimum individuals and organizations.
That is absolutely shameless.
Thank you for you assistance in stopping the madness
of "bombing" Central California. Please see that this
e-mail message is included in any public comment relating
to this project.
Sincerely,
Doug Buckmaster,
President
Friends of the RanchLand
Cambria, CA