IN THE PIPELINE:

From the folks who brought you the “Wall of Death” comes the “Backyard Burial Ground.”

As you might recall, Hearthside Homes, the developer of the Brightwater housing complex on the Bolsa Chica Mesa, ran into some trouble several months ago — after some birds started crashing into the 5-foot high, nearly one-mile long glass wall Hearthside erected to act as a boundary marker (that helps protect the view).

Dubbed “The Wall of Death” by some locals, the situation created a firestorm of controversy that resulted in the wall today being covered by a tarp, backed by a fence and plastered with decals that are designed to alert the many low flying birds that it’s there.

The effectiveness of the solution is still a topic of debate, but the way the developer handled the story was curious. Clumsy and initially dismissive of the problem, Hearthside did not seem to grasp the public relations aspect of that story. So I was curious how things would be handled in the wake of the newest controversy.

Did you hear about the bones from last week’s Poltergeist-like scenario?

From the Independent: “Environmental activists criticized Thursday what they say was foot-dragging on reports about 174 ancient sets of human remains on a section of the Bolsa Chica Mesa. Half of those were reported just recently by archaeologists in November, according to officials from the California Native American Heritage Commission.

“Bolsa Chica Land Trust Executive Director Flossie Horgan called it a ‘cover-up,’ saying the public deserved to know about those finds when they happened on the land slated to become the Brightwater housing development.

“Half of those remains have been reinterred, while the rest are yet to be dealt with,” said Dave Singleton, a program analyst for the California Native American Heritage Commission.

“Officials said they should have been told as remains were discovered, rather than hearing about 87 only at the end of last year. Efforts to reach developer Hearthside Homes have not been successful.”

What really got my attention was that last line. “Efforts to reach developer Hearthside Homes have not been successful.”

That means they ignored the calls. A Los Angeles Times article included that “Hearthside did not return four calls for comment Wednesday.” And the OC Register said “The developer did not return multiple calls for comment on this story.” KNBC-TV said the same thing in its report.

Did Hearthside learn nothing since the last imbroglio?

I wanted to ask what was going on. Was this just an oversight; an honest misstep? Or perhaps has Hearthside been orchestrating a deliberately evasive process to protect its building project?

While the developer is under no legal pressure to disclose the historic findings, surely they’d respect the common sense, “need-to-know” element of a story like this — that homes may be being built on a massive, significant ancient burial ground.

So I called. And called. And called. Six times. Left messages.

Nothing.

I know they’ve earned the right to build, and that’s fine. But what about the responsibility to the public? Hearthside is profiting from this city. But they’re also bringing in more negative headlines.

Is there no obligation to help clarify things for residents? What if the site yields a spectacular discovery?

Next, I decided to call Scientific Resource Surveys, the archaeological firm excavating at the site. This is where things got weird. I found a number in Costa Mesa, phoned, but was given another number and told to ask for a spokeswoman named “Mary” in regards to my questions.

I did, and a terse female voice came on the line, asking what I wanted. I explained who I was and why I was calling. I was quickly cut off with, “We’ve been ordered by the California Native American Heritage Commission to not offer any comment.”

Huh? Why would they do that — would they even have the jurisdiction to do that, I asked? “No comment,” Mary said flatly. Were the findings not reported properly? “No comment.” Will you be making a comment in the near future? “No comment.” May I at least have your last name for proper citations in this article? “No comment.” Can you tell me where your offices are located? “No comment.”

The great George Carlin once said, “No comment — is a comment.” He was not kidding.

Then I called Larry Myers, executive secretary at the California Native American Heritage Commission, to ask about Mary’s comment that the group had forbidden her from commenting. Meyers said that no such thing was true — that it simply would never happen because they have no power over the group at all.

I called Mary back and gave her a chance to clarify. Did they really tell you that?” I asked. “No comment.” Do you realize I’ll write that it appears I was lied to? “No comment.” Do you see how bad this looks? “No comment.” (Another writer shared with me that Mary also told them the commission didn’t want them talking about it).

So someone’s not telling the truth. I also e-mailed Patricia Wiley, the archaeologist who filed the report for SRS. I never heard back.

When people don’t answer during a controversy it looks bad. When lies are told it’s worse. Is there more to this story than meets the eye? I don’t know, because the people who know won’t talk.

In fairness, there may be explanations for all of this. And I know that Indian burial matters are justifiably sensitive and intensely private.

But this is a case clearly involving questionable, sloppy and yes, even suspicious behavior — and the players will not address the issue.

That site on the mesa may be more historic than anyone ever knew (as many renowned scientists suspect) — so I think what’s being uncovered up there needs to be handled in a responsible, professional manner — with some sort of disclosure. In the absence of that, make no bones about it, it does start to feel like a cover up.

We want your thoughts on this. Post at In The Pipeline, www.hbindependent.com/ columns.

Follow up: Last week I wrote about a massive relief effort to help people in Afghanistan.

I was remiss in not clarifying that the Huntington Beach Kiwanis Club originated and executed the massive clothing drive.

Mary Urashima played a big part in the efforts, but without the Kiwanis (as is the case with many other amazing efforts in this city), it just would not have happened.

Special hat tips to Kiwanis Frank Disparte, Adam Bowermaster, Lynn Seeden and the rest of this terrific group.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of nine books including his latest, “Led Zeppelin Crashed Here, The Rock and Roll Landmarks of North America.” He also hosts “The Pop Culture Road Trip” radio show on webtalkradio.net.