The California Coastal Commission voted 8-2 to reject the planned 241 Toll Road and to protect Trestles and San Onofre State Beach. Nearly four thousand people turned out for a historic meeting in Del Mar on Wednesday, making it clear to the commissioners that the destruction of state parks and coastal resources is unacceptable.
The record-breaking crowd was comprised of a diverse cross-section of beach users including surfers, students, families, seniors, fishermen as well as a large number of Native American tribal representatives. Also on hand was a massive contingent from the surf industry, including various manufacturers, shapers, media representatives and pro athletes. The Sierra Club, California State Parks Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Endangered Habitats League, Sea and Sage Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife, WildCoast and countless others joined in the effort. While this decision is likely not the death knell for the toll road we would like, there will be a major uphill battle for the TCA to overcome.
What does it mean? For now, good news, but, as my friend Janine points out, those who would preserve our open space must begin to look at activism as a lifestyle.
Janine writes:
Orange County’s pro-development-at-any-expense machine was there in full force: City officials from almost every city in Orange County, as well as local and state representatives Tom Harman, Pat Bates, Mimi Walters, and Joe Campbell, all spewed support for the toll road. Laguna's council members Toni Iseman and Jane Egly were there to fight to preserve the park. It was clear that only the efforts to reach outside the OC border and make this a statewide issue spared the park from the toll road, which would open thousands of acres of wilderness up to massive development.
This was a huge victory for Trestles and the State Park. However, it may never be over. We need to make protecting and defending our coastal resources a lifestyle, especially since we live in Orange County, where most of our elected officials support development and roads over open space and clean beaches. Support (join and finance!) the groups that fight for our parks and beaches: the Sierra Club, Surfrider and the Laguna Canyon Conservancy!!
The TCA will be back. They have no choice—they only know how to build toll roads. They are expected to make some type of appeal to the federal commerce secretary…
A huge lesson: Right after the vote at about 11:30 p.m. I spoke with several of the rejoicing Coastal Commission staff members, who spent years putting together an exhaustive report that proved the toll road would be environmentally devastating on many levels and violated the Coastal Act on almost every front. They thanked all of us who attended, and said it was most likely the pressure from the huge numbers of people who showed up that helped the CCC do the right thing. Grass roots activism can work!!
Currently, our state parks and special places we believed were protected for posterity are under assault. We need to work to beef up our laws to protect these resources! Get involved!
