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Trestles Beaches in JeopardyCalifornia's Famous Surf Haven Threatened by $1.1 Billion Toll Road
Surfrider Foundation battles Southern California's Transportation Corridors Agency to conserve famous beach in San Onofre State Park from proposed toll road.
Driving along the coast of Southern California you can see the ominous phrase SAVE TRESTLES on bumper stickers affixed to cars, signs, and any stationary object. Trestles Beach is a world-renowned surf spot in San Clemente's San Onofre State Park, a year round haven for forest life and marine animals, and the nature of Southern California's soul. It is not unusual at Trestles to see surfers and dolphins dancing on the same waves or to see fishermen patiently waiting for the catch of the day. This community feature faces extinction by plans to construct a toll road on the San Onofre State Park connecting the city of Rancho Santa Margarita to San Diego's I-5 freeway. One environmental organization is struggling to save from ecological destruction what could eventually be a memory in Southern California's natural history. The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), an agency that builds and manages toll roads in Southern California, proposed a plan called the Foothill Transportation South (FTC-South) to accommodate traffic growth on the I-5 freeway. The agency's solution to construct an extension of the existing 241 Toll Road is estimated to cost the public up to $1.1 billion. The TCA stands firmly on the belief that the toll road will not disturb Trestles integrity, but the Surfrider Foundation claims the environmental consequences will cost the community more than the TCA's estimated sum. The Surfrider Foundation is an international environmental organization and just one of many coalitions working to protect Trestles pristine nature. Surfrider distributes "SAVE TRESTLES" templates and hosts an official Save Trestles website, www.savetrestles.org. The website provides resources and current news for activists and curious information seekers. Surfrider's goal to motivate action begins with educating the public about the real issues surrounding the FTC-South controversy. Surfrider stands against the realities threatening Trestles future. Since the proposed FTC-South will traverse San Onofre State Park and over its Trestles nature preserve, the San Mateo creek that flows through it is in danger. San Mateo creek naturally facilitates sedimentary runoff that constantly forms Trestles' world famous surf breaks. If the toll road is constructed, construction debris will interfere with the natural process causing the beaches' development to change or permanently destroyed. According to the Save Trestles website, water that runs off the toll road may contain oil, toxins, and other contaminants from vehicles and motorist litter. Fish and animal populations could radically be reduced if polluted water runs off the toll road and into the San Mateo Creek. In 1999, steelhead trout, once thought to have no longer existed in Southern California were discovered in San Mateo Creek. It is unknown if the trout will survive a traumatic alteration of its habitat. Surfrider and other individuals have met some success in their efforts to save Trestles, but securing the park's future relies on public determination and community influence on government affairs. A different coalition teaming up with Surfrider called Save Trestles/San Onofre Park, another Save Trestle bumper sticker distributer, filed a lawsuit against the TCA for violating the California Environmental Quality Act. In May 2007, the California District Court of Appeals sided with the coalition to hear the case in San Diego County contrary to the TCA's preference to a hearing in Orange County. This decision demonstrates a substantial opposition to the toll road and could serve as the beginning of the end of plans to destroy a Californian gem. If the TCA gets the green light to build the FTC South, San Onofre is slated for closure once construction is complete. A San Onofre park ranger who wishes to remain anonymous spoke about the park's future, "They (the State of California) plan to close the park once the toll road is finished. It's going to take up most of the park." If the park does close, locals, fishermen, and surfers alike will no longer be able to trek the trails to Trestles sandy beaches or enjoy its natural beauty. Currently, the future of Trestles Beach is not certain. The Surfrider Foundation's advancements to slow down the TCA's toll road plans on San Onofre State Park have not kept the organization from keeping its focus on the goal of stopping construction all together. Preserving a natural habitat that has served thousands is at stake and a simple bumper sticker with two words on it says it all: SAVE TRESTLES. To learn more about or to become involved with Surfrider, the Transportation Corridor's Agency, and the FTC-South extension visit the following websites: www.surfridersd.org www.surfrider.org www.savetrestles.org www.savetrestles.com www.thetollroads.com
The copyright of the article Trestles Beaches in Jeopardy in Environmentalism is owned by Leslie Tennant. Permission to republish Trestles Beaches in Jeopardy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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