Eco-Friendly Counselor or Self-Serving Babbitt?

Alexander Cockburn’s claim (Commentary, July 27) that the Interior Department under Bruce Babbitt could have impeded Ahmanson Ranch development plans if only it had rated rare species discovered on the site as “requiring critical habitat” is simply wrong. The California red-legged frog was listed as threatened and proposed for critical habitat designation on none other than Babbitt’s watch. The Ahmanson Ranch has always treated the red-legged frog and the San Fernando Valley spineflower as threatened species that must be saved and should be listed. Working with the best scientists and in close consultation with state and federal wildlife agencies, we have crafted conservation plans to ensure the survival and recovery of both species on-site.

The most disturbing aspect of Cockburn’s denunciation is its profound unfairness to Babbitt, a respected public servant. We asked Babbitt to serve as our liaison to the environmental community to facilitate a genuine dialogue with our critics. The California courts have decisively rejected a long series of legal challenges to the Ahmanson Ranch, which will put more than 3,000 homes in an area of high job growth while setting aside nearly 10,000 acres as permanent open space.

Yet still we seek common ground over contention and have turned to an individual singularly well suited to the task. What those who label Babbitt a hypocrite may really fear is his demonstrated effectiveness at bridging the gap and reconciling the challenges of managing growth and conserving natural resources.

Robert J. Flowers

President, Community Investment & Development

Washington Mutual, Los Angeles

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I am outraged by Babbitt’s sellout to massive development projects like Ahmanson Ranch. This is the same man who portrayed himself as the champion of the environment only a few months ago. Now the environment needs to be protected from him!

Ahmanson Ranch is not only the home for several thousand oak trees, plants and animals--and was for the virtually extinct spine-flower and red-legged frog--but is one of the last great pieces of pristine, undeveloped open land in Southern California. Now Babbitt and his pals at Washington Mutual plan to destroy it all for the sake of greed.

Joe Behar

President, West Valley

Community Coalition

Woodland Hills