[CPEO-MEF] Ft. Ord Dunes

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Beach dream unfulfilled

By Paul Rogers
San Jose Mercury News (CA)
February 21, 2005

When Congress closed Fort Ord, the sprawling Army base near Monterey, in
1994, beachgoers were excited.

The base had four miles of scenic, sandy beaches along Monterey Bay --
one of the longest stretches anywhere in Northern California -- with
towering dunes that had been used as rifle ranges dating back to World
War II. Army and political leaders announced the beaches would be opened
to the public and transferred to California's state parks department in
a matter of months.

More than 10 years later, there are still no sunbathers or swimmers.
Roads leading to the shoreline end at padlocked gates.

Critics blame impenetrable bureaucracy, calling Fort Ord Dunes State
Park an opportunity lost, particularly since the vast beaches are so
close to Monterey, Carmel and Pebble Beach, all top U.S. tourist destinations.

"It is a big disappointment," said Leon Panetta, who represented
Monterey Bay in Congress from 1977 to 1993, leading Fort Ord reuse efforts.

"It's one of the tragic consequences of the whole base closure process,"
Panetta said. "What are obvious opportunities for recreation and
economic development are delayed and delayed because of bureaucratic red tape."


http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/central_coast/10953721.htm

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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