Wanton destruction

By The Malibu Times · Wed Feb 01 2006

To my great dismay last week, I discovered that a heavy machinery crew had demolished and buried every trace of two "feral" homes near the top of Corral Canyon Road on what is now State property. The lower home was a precious artifact of an era mostly lost in time: creatively freeform and handcrafted, with a bottle wall, stone fireplace, and outdoor tub nestled in the rocks. I consider this to have been more interesting and culturally important than the "Tropical Terrace" home in Solstice Canyon left to decay naturally by the National Park Service.

As a Corral homeowner and enthusiast, I am shocked that I knew nothing about the impending demolition, saw no posted notices, had no opportunity to comment about "my" land. The impact on the terrain is dramatic -tons of soil displaced and rubble created, and crushed, broken or buried flora strewn about. In a land of untenable constraints imposed on individuals by the California Coastal Commission, etc., I wonder where is the Environmental Impact Report or any documented evaluation. I'm sure the State Park people would cite safety reasons for the destruction-that people have illicitly camped, lit fires, worshipped idols up there. Whatever. It is far worse that another bit of history is lost forever!

Scott Palamar