The California Coastal Commission has officially objected to a proposed six-lane toll road that would have cut straight through one of southern California's most popular state parks -- San Onofre State Beach. After completing a rigorous legal and factual analysis, Coastal Commission staff presented a comprehensive report showing how the toll road threatens San Onofre State Beach and violates numerous state coastal policies. In February 2008, the Coastal Commission voted 8 to 2 to reject the destructive highway plan. However, despite this major victory, the battle isn't over. Toll road proponents have appealed the Coastal Commission's decision to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Each year, some two and a half million people find their way to San Onofre State Beach, one of California's most popular state parks. They come for the world-class surfing at Trestles beach, for biking, hiking, kayaking and camping along sandstone bluffs and lovely San Mateo Creek, or perhaps for spotting an endangered bird in the dense shrubbery. The park is a rare treasure in Southern California, a spot on the coast for everyone to enjoy. Yet San Onofre is also the preferred site for a new six-lane road that would run through nearly the entire length of the park and, according to state parks officials, cause 60 percent of it to close.

The proposed Foothill-South toll road would cut a 320-acre concrete path running more than four miles through the inland portion of the park. The project would destroy key habitat for 11 endangered or threatened species, including the steelhead trout, the arroyo toad and the least Bell's vireo, and would disrupt San Mateo Creek, one of the last unspoiled watersheds in Southern California. It would ruin the popular San Mateo campground, currently so much in demand that it books up six months in advance for the summer. Seven archaeological sites would be put in jeopardy, and contaminated runoff would pour into the renowned Trestles surfing beach.

Better solutions exist to ease traffic congestion in the area, such as modern rapid transit, carpool toll lanes with congestion-sensitive pricing and strategic widening of Interstate 5. These solutions can address traffic needs in Orange County without compromising precious park land. The Foothill-South toll road proposal fails to fully consider any of these alternatives. Foothill-South violates the fundamental principle that parklands are set aside for us and for future generations because they're critical to quality of life; parks are not a way to warehouse land until it is ripe for development. If San Onofre becomes fair game for highway construction, it sets a dangerous precedent for the paving of other state parks.

Although the park is safe for the moment, the Secretary of Commerce has the discretion to override the California Coastal Commission's decision. NRDC is working with local groups in California to prepare for the appeal process and ensure that the Coastal Commission's well-reasoned decision is upheld. To voice your support, visit www.savesanonofre.com.

Related NRDC Links
YourOceans.org: San Onofre State Beach Wins Critical Protections, Toll Road on Hold
Opinion: They'd Pave Over Reagan's Park
The Foothill-South Toll Road: Fact vs. Fiction
Press Release: Popular California Park Threatened
Opinion: Put to the Road Test

Other Links
Save San Onofre

Photo credits: courtesy Steve Francis

last revised 4.07.08