Don't Let the Bush Administration Overrule the California Coastal Commission!

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) seek to revive their plan for the Foothill-South Toll Road through a recent appeal to the Federal Government.

The TCA has asked the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to override the California Coastal Commission's NO vote regarding the Foothill-South Toll Road. In a shocking testament to TCA's consistent and repeated failure to address the public's concerns regarding this toll road, they have urged the Department of Commerce to deny the public an opportunity to participate in a hearing on the appeal.

This project, if allowed, would be the first time in California that a local agency could take state parkland for its own infrastructure use, setting a dangerous precedent and putting all our state parks at risk. According to the California State Parks Foundation the Foothill-South Toll Road will destroy nearly 60% of San Onofre State Park, California's 6th most popular state park, causing the likely abandonment of the San Mateo Campground, and harming the water quality of Southern California's last pristine watershed.

San Onofre State Beach is far away from Washington D.C.! U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez is hearing from special interest groups and the TCA's lobbyists. Now he needs to hear from you.

Send a message to Commerce Secretary Gutierrez asking him to review the TCA's appeal based on facts. The TCA would have us believe that a toll road through our state park is the only solution to our traffic problems. This is a false choice presented by a single-purpose agency. The Foothill-South Toll Road was soundly rejected by the California Coastal Commission for its serious and unmitigable effects on the environment.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Deny the Foothill-South Toll Road Appeal

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Recently the Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) filed an appeal with your office in response to the decision by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to deny consistency certification for the proposed SR-241 Foothill-South Toll Road.

I am writing to request denial of the TCA appeal. I also request that you allow the public to participate in a public hearing.

Californians and others around the world oppose this project because the road would close 60% of San Onofre State Beach, cause the likely abandonment of the San Mateo campground, pollute the pristine San Mateo watershed and the world-class Trestles surf beach, degrade critical habitat for endangered/threatened species and damage the Donna O'Neill Land Conservancy and the sacred Native American site of Panhe.

San Onofre State Beach Park is the sixth most visited park in the California state park system, generating tens of millions of dollars annually, and would have an economic impact to both the local community and the state of California.

Our state parks should not be used as warehouses for future development. This project, if allowed, would set a dangerous precedent and put all of our state parks at risk.

Please protect our coastal resources by supporting the California Coastal Commission's ruling and deny the appeal regarding the Foothill-South Toll Road.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 06, 2008

Background Information

A State Park is at Risk

The proposed Foothill-South Toll Road extension through the inland portion of San Onofre State Beach would devastate the park, ruin a popular campground and threaten the world-famous Trestles surfing beach. Not only does this project threaten San Onofre State Beach, but all of our state parks would be at risk. This project would set a dangerous precedent for what is an acceptable use of a state park.

Affordable Camping would be Lost

The developed 161-unit San Mateo Campground provides rare affordable public access to a rural coastal valley and a world-class surfing beach for thousands of families annually.

A Land Conservancy would be Impacted

The proposed Foothill-South Toll Road would run through the entire length of the Donna O'Neill Land Conservancy. This land was set aside as mitigation for the Talega Development in San Clemente. This project would set a terrible precedent for what is an acceptable use of mitigated lands.

A Sacred Native American Site would be Impacted

The proposed Foothill-South Toll Road would devastate sacred Acjachemen and Juaneño grounds at Panhe. Over 90% of Orange County's archaeological sites have already been destroyed or paved over by development. Our last remaining cultural sites are a unique and irreplaceable resource

Endangered Species in Jeopardy

An astounding number of threatened and endangered species depend on the park for protection. The park is one of the three known locations for the Pacific Pocket Mouse. Southern Steelhead Trout race through the park to spawn in upstream ponds and also spend time in the park's estuary. Least Bell's vireo, southwestern flycatcher, and gnatcatchers are some of the rare birds that inhabit the chaparral and riverine habitat.