Thousands Attend U.S. Commerce Hearing on Toll Road

Press Release

• September 24 2008
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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - Thanks for doing your part to keep the Bush Administration from overturning the Coastal Commission!

On Monday, Sept. 22, the Federal Commerce Department held a public hearing regarding the Foothill-South Toll Road that was attended by thousands of people–the Los Angeles Times reported 6,000! Check out the coverage: Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register.

It was a long and hot day, but your perserverance really made an impact! The Bush Administration now knows that it cannot overturn the Coastal Commission’s decision without a fight!

We will not know the Commerce Department’s decision until later this year, they actually have until January 7th to make a decision. Public comments will be accepted until October 2nd. If you haven’t done so already, send in your comment today! See below to send your comment via e- mail or if you would like to send in a hand-written comment please send to Thomas Street, Attorney General, NOAA Office of General Counsel of Ocean Services, 1305 East-West Highway Room 6111, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Thank you for all your hard work and committment. And an extra special thanks to all the volunteers who worked tirelessly this summer to get people to the hearing–it worked!! And also a big thank you to all the volunteers who worked at the hearing, we could not have had such a great day without you.

Don’t forget to send in your letter to the Secretary of Commerce, click on the Take Action button below! Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Deny the Foothill-South Toll Road Appeal

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

Recently the Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) filed an appeal with your office in response to the decision by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to deny consistency certification for the proposed SR-241 Foothill-South Toll Road.

I am writing to request denial of the TCA appeal.

Californians and others around the world oppose this project because the road would close 60% of San Onofre State Beach, cause the likely abandonment of the San Mateo campground, pollute the pristine San Mateo watershed and the world-class Trestles surf beach, degrade critical habitat for endangered/threatened species and damage the Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy and the sacred Native American site of Panhe.

San Onofre State Beach Park is the sixth most visited park in the California state park system, generating tens of millions of dollars annually, and would have an economic impact to both the local community and the state of California.

Our state parks should not be used as warehouses for future development. This project, if allowed, would set a dangerous precedent and put all of our state parks at risk.

Please protect our coastal resources by supporting the California Coastal Commission’s ruling and deny the appeal regarding the Foothill-South Toll Road.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR CONTACT INFO]