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December 18, 2008
32055 views | 169 comments
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After countless hearings, protests, and meetings, the proposed 241-Foothill South Toll Road extension was shut down.
What started as a grassroots effort to save a surf break and state park, steamrolled through local, state and, finally, federal legislatures.
"This morning we got word that the United States Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez upheld the California Coastal Commission's February ruling that the proposed extension to the 241 toll road violates California coastal law," said Surfrider Foundation Director of Marketing Matt McClain. "This decision makes it near impossible for the TCA to move forward with this project. In short - we won!" |
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In other words, if the TCA wants to complete the 241, they're going to have to find an alternative route that doesn't touch San Onofre State Park. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the following statement: "The commission objected to the proposed project under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) on the grounds that the toll road was not consistent with the state's coastal zone management program. The department determined that there is at least one reasonable alternative to the project. The department also found that the project is not necessary in the interest of national security. TCA may pursue another route for its proposed toll road that the commission determines is consistent with California's coastal zone management program." "This decision makes it near impossible for the TCA to move forward with this project. In short - we won!"
-- Surfrider Foundation's Matt McClain
Surfrider's McClain, who was largely responsible for leading the fight to save Trestles (along with coalition partners Friends of the Foothill and Sierra Club) rejoiced, "The TCA's options are pretty limited. They can appeal but the chances of them winning are really slim. Even if they won, they'd still have to deal with the existing litigation and go back in front of the CCC again. We're really calling upon the TCA to embrace these alternatives to deal with traffic problems that are environmentally friendly. We have them in a strong hammerlock and we're waiting for them to tap out." The TCA hasn't released a statement yet and is currently reviewing the Secretary's decision. They can, however, file a lawsuit against the federal ruling. But, as the ruling states, the TCA should explore alternate routes for the 241. "This is a tremendous victory for the entire surf community worldwide. It keeps the beach open and accessible with no damage to the break," said longtime surf industry veteran Bob Mignogna. "It also keeps the area beautiful without a gigantic superhighway covering the Old Coast Highway, which is where we walk down the path to Trestles. This is significant for surfers everywhere because it shows that the surf industry has political clout and together with the coalition partners we can be effective movers and shakers in the political world. This will set precedent for the rest of the surf world by motivating surfers everywhere to stand up and fight for what they believe is right." SURFLINE HOME PAGE MORE SURF NEWS |
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Comments: (169) Add Your Comment
Megan 05/07/2009 10:17 AM
You all don't know how happy I am!!!!! :) I love Trestles!!!!
Dallas from Kansas City 01/09/2009 07:26 PM
Some what new to this,,,got hooked up with Texas surfers off Corpus ..All I can say is thanks to the all mighty that you guy don't give up and fight the greedy individiuals and corporations that care less for the environment, beaches and individuals than they do the all mighty dollar...and yes I love the Texas beaches but have to put up with the stima of being in the same state as Bush...but we all have that burdent to put up with but at least he is not in Washington further ruining this country
kevin 01/04/2009 12:12 PM
What great thing that years from now the walk to trestles and onofre will still be the very cool experience that it is now. to those who ask "how is a toll road going to hurt trestles?" - put one in your backyard and youll find out. In this ridiculously overcrowded region, it astounds me that some people still believe in putting roads and condos on the crumbs of open space that we have left.
JWSeguinOnTipOfTexas 01/04/2009 09:34 AM
I'm 56 now, but back in the 80s my wife and I made freguent trips to Trestles for surf and relaxation while visiting my brother in L.A. Yes, we traveled from Brownsville winter or summer in my truck or Safari van to find a guaranteed surf spot at good ol' pristine-clean Trestles. Beautiful job amd well done by Surfrider and its constituents for maintaining SC's beach infrastructure and surf haven just over or under the RR track. Ahhh.., the fine surfing memories!
Bush hater... 12/28/2008 12:02 PM
Yes. Bush got it right for once: by not having a anything to do with it. Bush would put an oil well in your back yard if you let him. Take a look at Texas beaches sometime. We stood up, they lost because conscience prevailed over star-bellied sneechery...
L.D. Freitas 12/28/2008 09:55 AM
I'm from Santa Cruz, and we've resisted turning what is mostly an old four lane freeway, our section of Hiway One (started as a highway in 1950) into a six or eight lane monstrosity. We have railroad tracks that aren't even used for passenger rail, just freight, though that might change soon. We need to expand public transportation. By the way, it's great that the old section of disused US101 has been saved with the demise of this freeway project. It would have been worse than Stanley's Diner!
so oc guy 12/25/2008 12:36 PM
saving trestles means save trestles from the kooks that have to drive the I5 to get there...now the freeway will stay jammed...thanks for the everyone that lives north of san clemente!
so oc guy 12/25/2008 11:56 AM
this whole save testles thing is a red herring. Can anyone truly answer how the toll road was going to ruin trestles? i asked surfrider to answer and they couldnt. the toll road wasnt going ON the beach...how was it really going to affect trestles other than to stir up emotions ? surfrider is a crock anyway. if they really cared about the surf, they would do something about one of the most popular surf spots in their own backyard.doheny. it is a toxic waste dump. SR use you power to clean it up
Tom SC 12/24/2008 06:48 AM
How do we save Trestles from the 24/7 crowd that descends upon it everyday like swarms of locust? It is ironic that many of local surfers waiving the save trestles flag are work in industries like construction and surf retail that depend on the continued growth and expansion of SoCal market: more people, more homes, more business for them. If you want to save trestles, quit supporting all the yoyos trying to make a buck on the sport.
joe the costruction worker/surfer 12/24/2008 05:40 AM
pdog, do you live in a grass shack somewhere in the sticks? don't bash the people who provide shelter to those who made the sacrafices to live here.it's their tax dollars that pay for the roads and infrastructure and state parks that we use frequently.your attitude towards people who weren't born in so.cal is shameful and rather prejudice.the beaches aren't free,we the tax payers pay for the maintainance..sufing for 34 yrs, building communities for 25, so.californian for 47 yrs.
Marc B 12/23/2008 03:29 PM
I'd just like to thank all those who participated in my SAVE TRESTLES Benefit concert...we helped raise over $1,000 for the cause, and I'd like to think it helped!
This is a victory not just for Orange County chapters, but for all surfers worldwide. I think they said that. ha.
Thanks to all of you who helped. Trestles will forever be saved and way too crowded.
Marc B.
www.marcbmusic.com
for more information on the SAVE TRESTLES Benefit concert, go to www.myspace.com/marcbmusic
Roninbob 12/22/2008 05:38 PM
I don't give a damn about all the pros or cons I just want to thank everyone who worked to stop this and saved trestles I haven't surfed there in years,score one for the good guys.
surf3 12/22/2008 02:15 PM
Bjorn, nice mis-direction except I never mentioned the TCA or any support for them, so why would I join your discussion about them? I asked for help in saving my hometown of San Clemente from the alternate routes that (if you look at the proposed route maps) WILL take out homes and businesses. BTW the I-5 widening won't alleviate the problem, especially when the 10,000 planned residences go up in Rancho Mission Viejo. Yes, you have to think beyond just the nose on your face.
nugget 12/22/2008 01:53 PM
hell yea
Bill F., silver surfer 12/22/2008 12:57 PM
View All Comments (169 comments)
We (HB) surfed Trestles, Trail 6, and Old Man's for 12 yrs. while in HB and being in WA now, we surfers support Surfrider to the max. Great perseverence.
Next trip south I can rest a little easier....
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