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Please Write to the California Coastal Commission to Stop the Foothill-South Toll Road
by Serge Dedina
14/09/2007:// Background
The proposed Foothill-South toll road in Orange and San Diego Counties is one of the most environmentally destructive transportation projects in California history. By running 4 miles down the length of San Onofre State Beach, the road would effectively destroy the interior of the park, close the San Mateo Campground and damage the natural environment that results in great surf at Trestles.
It would run through the Donna O'Neil Conservancy (previously set aside as mitigation for housing development), and drive at least three listed species (California gnatcatcher, arroyo toad, and Pacific pocket mouse) toward extinction. The good news is that there is a practical alternative - improving Interstate 5 and nearby streets.
The California Coastal Commission has jurisdiction to review projects for consistency with the federal Coastal Zone Management Act. On October 11, 2007, Commission will determine whether or not to certify the toll road's application for consistency. In making this decision - which is critical to the ultimate fate of the road - it will utilize the provisions of the California Coastal Act.
Action Needed
Please write to the Commission and let them know of your opposition and the reasons why. Letters should arrive by Sept. 20, though an absolute deadline is Sept. 27. FAX is (415) 904-5400.
Emails should be sent to the following special address: tollroad@coastal.ca.gov
Please distribute this alert, so the Commission knows how many people are concerned.
If you can, please also be there in person at the hearing! More information on this will be forthcoming.
October 11, 2007 Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel 601 S. Palos Verdes Street San Pedro, CA
Here is a sample letter. Please add your own thoughts, such as if you personally enjoy the state park and why these resources are important to you and your family. Please make sure to include the staff contact (ATTN: Mr. Mark Delaplaine) in the mailing address.
Sept. [ ], 2007
Patrick Kruer, Chair ATTN: Mr. Mark Delaplaine California Coastal Commission 45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94105-2219
Dear Chairperson Kruer and Members of the Commission:
The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) protects park and habitat resources along the coast, which are of great importance to me. Due to severe impacts to these resources from the proposed Foothill-South toll road, the Commission must find inconsistency with the CZMA. The toll road would have devastating consequences for future generations of Californians, which would be averted by your denial. Specifically:
The Coastal Act simply does not allow a highway use within an environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA). Even if it were allowed, endangered species living along our coast would be pushed toward extinction, irreparably harming coastal resources. The mitigation proposed by the toll road agency is in an inland location that leaves the coast with a huge, and unallowable, disruption of ESHA.
Running the length of San Onofre State Beach, the toll road would irreparably harm unique, affordable coastal recreation. The San Mateo Campground would likely be closed due to adjacency to a 6-lane highway, which would severely degrade the now peaceful visitor experience. The loss of most of this state park is unacceptable given the increasing need for high quality coastal recreation.
Because cut and fill would destabilize steep canyons, and because mitigation measures are inadequate, erosion would alter the sediment formations that create the world famous waves at Trestles Beach, putting them in jeopardy. Water quality is excellent today, but may not remain so if the toll road is built.
Alternatives that save the park and its rare coastal habitats are available and practical. The good news is that the toll road agency grossly overestimated the number of structures that would be displaced by Interstate-5 improvements. These improvements are as good or better than the toll road for congestion relief.
Please reject the consistency application and protect the coast - according to the law - for generations to come.
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