Groups target Hearthside

Native Americans and local land preservation groups have joined forces this week to ask for a Bolsa Chica housing development to have its permit revoked.

The Bolsa Chica Land Trust, the California Cultural Resources Preservation Alliance and members of at least three nearby American Indian tribes have all signed a petition complaining that developer Hearthside Homes hasn’t properly treated the bones of their ancestors. The petition asks for a hearing by the California Coastal Commission to revoke the permit of the Brightwater development, which sits on land that held at least 174 sets of ancient remains and thousands of artifacts.

At the same time, some tribal members have said they will protest every Wednesday afternoon at Bolsa Chica Street and Warner Avenue until their complaints are heard.

“We’re going to be out here and keep making the public aware,” said Paul Moreno, on the board of the California Cultural Resources Preservation Alliance and organizing the petition effort. The petition has about 500 signatures so far, he said.

About 30 American Indians and supporters waved signs and called out slogans in front of a Bolsa Chica housing development May 28 to protest what they called disrespect for their ancestors’ remains.

The demonstration was to raise awareness of an historic burial site and to ask people to respect it, said Linda Candelaria, a Gabrielino-Tongva tribal council member who protested.

“This is a sacred burial ground, and I don’t think a lot of people are aware of that,” she said. “I want to make people aware of what went on there. The human remains and artifacts they did find are being stored in trailers and boxes.”

Hearthside Homes Vice President Ed Mountford said his company had followed every requirement in dealing with ancient remains, keeping in constant negotiations with tribal representatives. In any case, he said, the Coastal Commission already had such a hearing and didn’t revoke the permit then.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at [email protected].