Til Death Do Us Part

Victory seemed the outcome in February at the Del Mar fairgrounds when the California Coastal Commission (CCC) voted 8-2 to deny the proposed six-lane 241 Toll Road extension that would cut directly through San Onofre State Beach and threaten the Trestles breaks, close off the popular San O campgrounds and spoil much of one of Southern California’s last natural coastal environments. Over 3,000 people turned out for the successful protest, but to countless surfers, environmentalists and park enthusiasts’ frustration, the Transportation Corridor Authority (TCA) appealed the ruling and has since lobbied the Federal Government to overturn the CCC’s decision and revisit the issue.

On Friday, July 25 the US Department of Commerce will hold a public hearing at the Bren Center at the University of California, Irvine. Now, more than ever, Surfrider needs your support, and attendance, in order to prevent the beautiful environment of San Onofre State Beach – and its world class waves – from being turned over to the hands of greedy Toll Road developers. We decided to ask Surfrider San Diego Chapter Coordinator, Bill Hickman, his thoughts on the matter at hand and how we can all help.

SURFING. What will the toll road mean for the state park’s environment?

BILL HICKMAN: The San Mateo campground will be directly affected as [the Toll Road] would go right through it. Also, just to have that much concrete running through the area would be quite the painful eyesore from how it looks right now. Considering that during the walk down to Trestles you’re hiking through the bush and nature, the Toll Road would remove every bit of separation from society that we are grateful to have right now.

And for Trestles?

Anytime you completely alter the way the sand flows to the ocean, you are going to greatly change the setup of the breaking waves along the shore. And in the case of Trestles, that means the cobblestones coming from San Mateo Creek that create the perfect waves of Lowers (and Uppers).

How did the Toll Road developers rewind the progress and gain another chance?

Well, they’re going over the heads of the CCC. In February, [the CCC] voted against the Toll Road reasoning that it didn’t fit in with the Coastal Act and that they could not approve it for various reasons. The Toll Road developers are looking to supersede the February 6 ruling by the CCC by going to the Federal Government.

What exactly is going to take place at the next hearing?

The Bren Event Center is reserved and right now we are expecting two sets of testimonies (from us and the developers) and then some public opinions. It is going to be a full day event, just like the hearing in Del Mar.

How important is it that there are large numbers at the hearing?

Numbers are extremely important. That seems to be the definitive point in showing the public’s disapproval. There were around 3,000 people at the last hearing and it is going to be even more important that we have even higher numbers at the upcoming hearing. We’d love to get at least 5,000 people for this one. We will provide free transportation and car pools from San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles. There will also be food provided at the event.

Free food never hurt a cause, that’s for sure. Surfrider needs everyone this time around if that five-thou mark is to be reached. It’s never been more important, so if you missed the last meeting here is your chance to make up some of that lost karma. Trestles needs YOU! Ditch work, school and/or a day of surfing to help a good cause.

Reader Comments 

Posted Wed Jul 9, 2008, 1:03 PM — By Concerned

WHAT TIME IS THE MEETING ON JULY 25TH??? Call to Action: Surfrider should be blasting emails to membership lists, ASG lists, and sending via social networking for viral messaging that all surfers need to show up!!!

Posted Wed Jul 9, 2008, 1:43 PM — By OC Resident

Get the facts right. The 241 will not impact Trestles or the walk to the beach. It will connect to the 5 from the east -- about a half-mile from the shoreline. It also won't hurt the campground. It will actually be further from the campground than the 5 is from the other campsites along the freeway.

Posted Wed Jul 9, 2008, 2:20 PM — By Jamie, San Clemente

The facts in your story are incorrect. The toll road will not run through the creek, nor will it go to the beach. Actually, you won't be able to see it from the beach because it will be a half-mile away and brush will obstruct the view.

Posted Wed Jul 9, 2008, 4:23 PM — By Jayme

Obviously Jaime has never seen the San Mateo Creek watershed from the water. The toll road hearing starts at 10am, but if you want to speak you need to be there a bit earlier to register. I suggest speaking. Everyone is touched by Trestles differently and those individual concerns are what we need to get across to the Federal Government officials who may not exactly know why this place is so important.

Posted Wed Jul 9, 2008, 7:36 PM — By Getting there is half the fun!

As an Inland Empire surfer, I hope the toll road goes through! The 241 would drop me right off at Trestles. Isn't the Coastal Commission concerned about access for ALL?

Posted Thu Jul10, 2008, 12:08 PM — By Rick

OC Resident should get his facts straight. He is referring to the campgrounds along the bluffs south of the power plant. The San Mateo campground is off of Cristianitos Road east of the I-5 and a trail from the campground connects directly to Uppers. The toll road would run right next to the campground and State Parks has stated they will likely close the campground if the toll road goes through.

Posted Thu Jul10, 2008, 12:17 PM — By OC Resident

Actually Rick, the 241 will be farther from the San Mateo Campground than the Bluffs campgrounds are from the 5. And California's Resources Secretary (who oversees State Parks) has said over and over that the campground will not have to close. Neither will that section of the park. The State Parks Foundation, an advocacy group that bankrolls much of the opposition to the 241, is telling people the park will have to close as a scare tactic.

Posted Thu Jul10, 2008, 2:11 PM — By twack

Jeez OC Resident, Jamie et. all, aren't you guys even a little tired of the "pave & develop everything" mentality. It's some of the last open space left in OC. Do you really want to leave your children more concrete? It's pretty obvious you don't surf. You sound like bloggers paid by the TCA. It's State Park! Don't put a road through it!

Posted Thu Jul10, 2008, 4:07 PM — By right coast supporter

I agree with twack completely. ive never even been to trestles and i still support it.im on the other side of the country here in jersey. im sick and tired of every break being developed on and the wave and the environment is ruined! trestles, dirty jersey supports you. good luck at the meeting surfrider.

Posted Fri Jul11, 2008, 12:17 AM — By James Reed

Why dont we just run the toll road right down the beach?? Would that not be much easier ?? Who cares about open space, surfers, campers, mountain bikers?/ Obviously the people who are in favor of the toll road, Do they really need another road to drive there hummers on? ReallY? WE NEED TO STAND UP AND FIGHT< THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!!!

Posted Fri Jul11, 2008, 11:22 AM — By Steve

OC Resident must own land south of Rancho Santa Margarita and where the 241 ends, because that is the only possible way you could ever want this disaster to happen. The building of this, and the aftermath of dealing with more people being dumped onto the 5 and into the coast of south Orange County make me sick. This toll road is going to spark tons of development all along its path. San Mateo and Trestles will only be the beginning of this mess.

Posted Fri Jul11, 2008, 2:27 PM — By Becky

From everything I've seen, the 241 won't hurt Trestles. No one says what it would actually do to the beach. The roads as far away as the 5 and the 5 didn't ruin Trestles. I don't get it.

Add Comment

Name (Required):

Email (Required, will not be shown to public):

Comment (Required, max chars: 1024):

You have characters left.

Type the characters you see in this picture

 

		THE BEST WAVES! THE BEST SURFERS! THE BEST PHOTOS! AND NOW THE BEST DEAL: SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND GET 1 YEAR OF SURFING MAGAZINE FOR ONLY $12.00! Take advantage of this special offer-act now! GIVE A GIFT
				Email: First Name: Last Name: Address Line 1: Address Line 2: City: State: Zip: Select a payment option: Charge my credit card Bill me later Do you have a promotional coupon code? Enter Code: Please send me special offers and exclusive promotions from Surfing's premiere partners.