Tell Governor Schwarzenegger Our State Parks Are Not For Sale!

Yesterday, Governor Schwarzenegger disappointed San Onofre State Beach advocates by voicing his support for the Foothill-South Toll Road to the California Coastal Commission.  In his two-page letter to Coastal Commission Chair, Patrick Kruer, Schwarzenegger states, "I have concluded that this project is essential to protect our environment and the quality of life for everyone in Southern California." 

Click here to see the LA Times article and write your letter to the editor!

The Governor was wrong last week when he announced that he would close 48 state parks, and he is wrong this week with his letter to the Coastal Commission urging them to support a toll road that will destroy San Onofre State Beach, the 5th most popular state park in California. 

Voters established the Coastal Commission to be independent and nonpolitical, and decide on the future of our coast based on the facts and the law.  This letter represents an unprecedented interference and has improperly injected politics into what should be a decision based on facts and laws. 

It is important that the Governor and his staff not influence Coastal Commission on this matter!  Please take a minute and tell the Governor not to interfere with the public process.

 

 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Toll Roads do not belong in our State Parks!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am disappointed to hear of your recent letter to the California Coastal Commission supporting the Foothill-South Toll Road through San Onofre State Beach.

San Onofre State Beach is California's 5th most popular state park. It is home to the San Mateo Campground, Trestles Beach, and the pristine San Mateo Watershed.

Working Californians, like myself, depend on San Onofre State Beach and the San Mateo Campground for affordable vacations along California's coastline. Please don't sacrifice our beach for a pay-to-drive road.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 16, 2008


Background Information

 

 

 A State Park is at Risk

"San Onofre State Beach is one of the last remnants of large coastal open space in Southern California.  Sea and sky, surf and reef, beach and coastal bluff, wetland and grassland, sycamore groves and scrub, hillsides and arroyos, long coastal strip and broad coastal valley...Experiencing the broad, natural expanses of San Mateo Valley, the coastline, and the sea reinvigorates, the senses and renews the spirit."--State Parks and Recreation "Mitigation Assessment of the FTC-South Impacts on San Onofre State Beach 

Development Would Devastate Popular Park

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. Among Southern California surfers, the Trestles breaks are known as "The Yosemite of Surfing." As the California Department of Parks and Recreation has noted, "Trestles is such a vital surfing experience that for many, it is the paragon of surfing destinations and each visit is a pilgrimage." Interference with natural stream erosion and sedimentation, pollution of currently clean creeks with runoff, and light pollution would compound the problems the toll road would create.

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. Construction of the toll road through the park would also preclude the development of a second family campground of 150 to 200 sites, an interpretive site, an equestrian camp and seven primitive or environmental camp areas.

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.

If the Foothill-South toll road is built through this park, then the California Department of Parks and Recreation will relinquish the majority of the inland portion of the park, depriving Californians of an important park resource.