CECIL D. ANDRUS, INC.
Resource Management Consultant

537 WEST BANNOCK STREET, SUITE 201
P.O. BOX 852, BOISE, IDAHO 83701

PHONE (208) 343-7676

November 24, 1982

The Honorable Edward J. Bacciocco, Jr.
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
401 Marshall Street:
Redwood City, California 94063

Dear Mr. Chairman:

From family and friends in your area, I have learned of the controversy that apparently surrounds the Edgewood property I helped you acquire when I was Secretary of the Department of the Interior.

You and I both worked on this matter and were present at the ceremony in October of 1979. The approximately $1,000,000 came from the Secretary's Discretionary Fund, which must be used for acquisition of recreational and open space areas.

A little history is in order, Mr. Chairman, so please allow me to recap my feelings and decisions of 1979. The property was owned by the State of California as the Edgewood College Site. They were in need of money and planned to sell the property, but even though they were under financial pressure, they preferred to see the property used for recreational purposes rather than for high density development. Your proposal was for recreation and open spaces comprised of nature trails, picnic areas, a golf course and other compatible uses.

I concurred with your proposal and agreed that an emergency existed because of the threat of a sale to developmental interests. I made money available, and the rest is history.

Now I'm told some interests are objecting on the grounds that you might possibly endanger the habitat of an endangered butterfly. I would argue that concern and mitigation should be exhibited to resolve the issue, if it in fact exists. I don't know if it does or not. But I do know that before our purchase, the area was being destroyed by dirt bikes and four-wheel drive vehicles and that no one cared or said anything. The only alternative to your proposal was allout development, and nobody seemed concerned. For someone now to oppose that portion of your proposal that would be used as a golf course is not in the best interests of the people in your urbanized area.

I urge you to go forward as we agreed when I made the funds available.

Sincerely,

Cecil D. Andrus