Chatsworth Reservoir

Re “Preserve Reservoir Site,” Jan. 24.

The Times is to be congratulated for the wisdom of its farsighted editorial in favor of preserving the Chatsworth Nature Preserve / Reservoir.

A city as wealthy as Los Angeles can well afford to set aside a last remnant of our common heritage for the long-term benefit and enjoyment of all its citizens. The reservoir and its many inhabitants are all that remain of a once-extensive ecosystem of marshes, grassland and oak savanna in the West Valley.

Hopefully, the mayor and his appointee, Rick Caruso, president of the Department of Water and Power Commission, will now get busy, stop procrastinating and present their often-delayed proposal for the reservoir’s future to the City Council and set aside any plans for short-term financial gain to be made from development of the property.

ARTHUR LANGTON, West Hills

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As an area resident who drives by the Chatsworth Reservoir daily, I would like to see it used by someone. Right now, it is a dust bowl most of the year, mostly enjoyed by its main inhabitants--coyotes.

If you want to preserve it as “green space,” build a golf course on part of it. Then it would be enjoyed by thousands, not just a handful of Audubon Society members. To those who will protest “yet another golf course”: I haven’t golfed in the Valley in years because they are always booked, and I have seen just about every type of animal and bird while golfing around the country!

ERIC OLSON, Chatsworth