Just when we all thought the issue of the Toll Road to Trestles was settled, TCA continues its effort to extend the 241 through San Onofre State Park. Even though the California Coastal Commission rejected TCA’s plan, they’re already appealing to the feds. That’s right, the US Commerce Department will now be deciding whether to uphold the Coastal Commission’s decision… And an entire ecosystem hangs in the balance.
And in the mean time, several state leaders aren’t waiting to take action. In fact, they’ve already sent a letter to the US Commerce Department about the 241. Here’s what Alex Brant-Zawadzki reported at Navel Gazing:
[Lt. Gov. John] Garamendi, along with State Senate President pro tem Don Perata, Senate Natural Resources Committee Chairman Darrell Steinberg and Senator Christine Kehoe, signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez. They made three simple demands:
1) You reject TCAs appeal and uphold the California Coastal Commissions legitimate authority to deny consistency certification for the Foothill-South Toll Road; 2) Should you take up the issue, hold a public hearing in Southern California and extend the public comment period accordingly; and 3) You prohibit federal agencies from meeting or negotiating with the TCA on this matter while the appeal is pending.
Notice how they’re not following The Governator’s lead on this issue? Oh yes, and what do you think about this latest development in the never-ending soap opera that is The Toll Road to Trestles? Should TCA respect the will of the Coastal Commission and call it quits already? Or do you think TCA has every right to appeal to the feds to let them build the toll road through the state park?
I want to hear what you have to say. Should the US Commerce Department listen to these top elected Democrats and let the Coastal Commission’s decision stand? Go ahead and have your say. đ
Oh look all of a sudden the democrats are pushing for decentralized government, what a concept.
Give me a break. Live and die by your rules Andrew.
d’A-
Oh looky here, Republicans have flip-flopped on “states’ rights”. So apparently, states now have no rights to regulate if they want to protect public park land? Once again, it looks like the GOP is making up its own “rules” as it goes along.
There is much public opposition to this toll road–this is a state park belonging to all Californians, paving through it violates state environmental protection laws–the Coastal Act which was voted in by Californians around 1972, prop 20 I believe. TCA should not have the right to appeal as it was found not to be consistent with the coastal act and federal government should uphold California VOTER enacted protection laws. Who cares about opinion about the politicians envolved? It’s not about them, it’s about the wishes of the citizens (some who are also in government) or the voters, who that state beach means something to.
SUPPORT! Build that toll road and hurry it up! I am a surfer who loves surfing Trestles, however in the past 5 years the place has turned into a kook fest, with every surfer thinking he owns the place. I remember sneaking into trestles and getting harassed by the Military Police. Now that every middle aged yuppie has a surfboard, and the locals are complete jerks, I say build it. Let them deal with the crowd. Build it and lets see how local you yokels are.
Besides, whenever there is even a hint of descent surf, every major surfing corporation immediately puts up some banners, builds some beach side booths, and closes the spot so a handful of privileged surfer can surf. What about the rest of the surfing community?
Simply put, you deserve your world class surf break to be filled with tourist, kooks in the lineup, and the parking lot filled constantly. Look at it this way, the big surf corps will have a perfect place to erect some roadside billboards for those new sunglasses that cost $230.
I find it ironic that these major surf companies are shooting themselves in the foot by demonstrating to stop the toll road, while itĂ¢ââââ¢s an excellent way to capitalize on some marketing.
Between all of the employees who use the toll road to get to that major surf base corporation, and the secret back deals that are going on between the surf companies for add space if and when the project goes through; they are simple playing to the surf community.
So I say build the damn thing, along with a pay parking lot. Add some surf shops on the beach. And get it over with. Besides, all those “Local Jerk Surfers” need to get a reality check. They did it to H.B. Pier!
I will be happy to go surf my secret spot in peace and quiet, while lowers and uppers gets packed by every inland kook from riverside to foothill ranch!
Build the toll road, and hurry it up!
SUPPORT THE 241 EXPANSION OF THE TOLL ROAD!!!!!!!!!!!
I say that the Toll Road shouldn’t be built. I don’t think that some disgruntled surfers and the TCA should be permitted to wreck our coast. Our state parks are not for sale.