Many Reasons to Fight Beach Trail

* Re Jerry Hicks’ July 28 column:

I have been a resident of San Clemente for 10 years. When I first heard of the proposed “beach trail,” I opposed it for a variety of selfish reasons.

Primarily I was against the increased crowding it would bring to “my” beach and the beaches on the south end of town. After further researching the proposal, I realized that my selfish reasons for opposition are minimal and secondary to many larger and potentially devastating issues.

The proposed 12-foot-wide paved road, 6-foot-high metal fence, and 2/3-mile-long sea wall will ruin our natural beaches.

The “phase one” sea wall alone will undoubtedly have an erosive effect and eliminate the already minimal sand areas adjacent to it. The failed sea wall in Ventura is testimony to this fact.

The fencing required to keep people off the train track will be an eyesore and ultimately will not work. People will climb over the fence or cut through it to gain access to the beach where convenient.

Why is the city in favor of this expensive urbanization of our beautiful beaches? The trail will prove to be an expensive and futile battle against Mother Nature and human nature. Let’s spend money on other more pressing community improvements, like paving our streets, not the beach.

KENT STEVENS

San Clemente