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From: Natural History Club of Acton/Agua Dulce "Protectors of Natural, Ecological & Cultural Resources" . Box 965 Acton, CA 93510
7/20/04
To: Dr. L. Wagner, Superintendent A/AD School District School Board, A/AD Unified School District
Dear Sirs and Dr. Wagner:
The Natural History Club of Acton/Agua Dulce takes great umbrage in the fact that much native flood-retaining vegetation, including hundreds year old Junipers, were removed without the community, the Acton Town Council and our organization being apprised of the work proposed.
In what seemed like mere hours the entrance area to the high school was scraped bare without, it seems, any input from any of the above mentioned groups. This area is in a critical flood hazard area, adjoins the major floodway on Escondido Canyon Road and also the corner of Red Rover Mine Road, both of which have historically shown horrendous collapse of drainage courses in years past.
This action completely flies in the face of the Acton Special Standards District Ordinance, which many people worked hundreds of hours to achieve. One of the primary points of that Ordinance was to preserve as much water- retaining and flood-controlling natural plants as possible. It goes without saying that removal of those natural plants will play havoc in future rain events. A further point to many people is the question of aesthetics. Many people who moved to the area zealously guard such plants as our Junipers. Also, the entrance to the school surely will not be enhanced by a ball field.
In checking with Mr. Tom Haile, Founder of the NHC, and in checking our files, I can find no reply from the District nor the Board to Haile's letter dated 5/31/98 (enclosed). To the best of his knowledge no full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared. There is no copy in our files. An archaeological survey plus monitoring was performed. Several archaeological artifacts were found (Arch:Campbell).
Please answer for us in writing and in the most timely manner the following:
1. Who made the decision to go forward with this work?
2. Were the proper grading plans granted to the school before work commenced?
3. If proper final and approved grading plans had previously been established, the
Natural History Club respectfully requests photocopies of such (we understand
there will be a nominal charge for that work).
Again, we cannot express our chagrin at the cavalier manner that the School District treats the many folks who volunteer and spend literally hundreds of hours of their time to attend meetings and attempt to exchange information (i.e.: the Acton Town Council willingly has had a representative at School Board for the past half year).
Respectfully , Stacey Nickels President
Cc: Acton Town Council L.A. County Dep't Public Works
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