Even though some surfers were sent home packing when scientists concluded that a toll road wouldn't have affected Trestles as much as previously thought, environmental groups still had won when the California Coastal Commission shot down the proposed Foothill South fast trak in February.
Now, environmental groups who want to protect the San Onofre State Beach from development are at it again— but this time many have changed their focus.
Instead of decrying the project because it might have affected the renowned surf break, which brought out hundreds of surfers from groups like the Surfrider Foundation, this time groups like Friends of the Foothills and the Sierra Club seem to be focusing their efforts more on protecting the San Mateo Campground.
The toll road proposed by the Transportation Corridor Agencies, they say, would have cut down on traffic congestion, along with environmentally sensitive buffers for endangered species, but the Coastal Commission didn't think so.
Following the commission's vote of 8-2, disapproving the proposed extension of the 67-mile system, the TCA filed an appeal with the United States Department of Commerce.
The upcoming Sept. 22 U.S. Commerce Department Toll Road Hearing will be held on Monday, Sept. 22 at the Del Mar Fair grounds, O'Brien Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard.
Environmental groups have already begun a campaign to encourage people to testify to help stop the toll road construction that would inadvertently by built on top of campgrounds and wildlife habitats.
"Speak now or forever lose our park!" states a flier. "U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez is hearing from special interests and the TCA's lobbyists. Now he needs to hear from you."
Among the hundreds of attendants who came out to the commission meeting Feb. 7 many said the Environmental Impact Report was done sloppily and hides certain unavoidable concerns regarding the proposed project. Their efforts are driven to preserve state land and uphold the Coastal Act.
Either way, the TCA is still going to have one public relations hurdle if the department of commerce ever decides to overturn the commission's decision.
5 comments:
Paving through a state park sets dangerous precedence for all state parks in our state. Scientists have in fact proved the proposed toll road to be destructive to the environment. Geologically speaking the project will damage surf conditions. The toll road violates at least 3 state laws regarding the use of this land alone, plus endangered species acts. We oppose the toll road through a state park for many good reasons. Come on down and help us save San O, September 22nd, Del Mar, 10:30am to 8:30pm. More info www.caopenspace.org/action.html
Thx!
Thanks for replying Cindy, and yes the toll road would inadvertently damage surf conditions, but I think it would have a larger impact on the wildlife habitats and the San Mateo Campground, more than anything, and I think that is really of importance right now.
One of my favorite things to do is camp at San Mateo and wake up just before dawn and watch the wildlife. Another is to hike the path from San Mateo Camp to Trestles at dusk. I've seen everything in this area from rattlesnakes to several endangered birds...including a Bald Eagle. Amazing what you see here. You are right, that toll road will be very destructive to the wildlife & their habitat.
Well, I spent the entire day at the hearing on the 22nd. TCA maintains a state park, a clean ocean and a habitat of endangered species all could coexist with a toll road and anything contrary is nothing but "environmentalist lies and propaganda". TCA and their supporters presented plenty of their views which none were of a national interest level (one of the conditions to overturn a CCC ruling), all were local problems such as traffic relief. I don't see why an appeal was granted in the first place as the conditions were not met. It will be interesting to see what way this decision goes. If the CCC ruling is overturned it will be a very bad hit to environmental conservation nation wide. Public comment is still opened until 10/2/08. The US Sec of Commerce must make a decision by 1/7/09Waiting again...
I think what was so interesting is, as in the last meeting there is a whole group actually in favor of the 241, promoting the idea of the toll road, while wearing orange t-shirts. I wonder what fuels a person to chant for more freeways, I really wonder...
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