Trestles Saved!

Posted on December 22, 2008 12:12 PM

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Check Out Video From Trestles

"The Department of Commerce today upheld the California Coastal Commission's objection to a proposal to construct a 16-mile toll road connecting California state Route 241 to Interstate 5 in southern Orange and northern San Diego counties. 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."

In plain English, the planned toll road that was going to run right through Trestles and San Onofre is a no go. It's been a long, hard-fought battle, and everybody from the big names like Kelly Slater and Eddie Vedder to the local salts like Grumpy Ron and the Death Weasel chipped in, and proving that if you standup for what you believe in sometimes good things happen.

"We are elated that the Secretary of Commerce chose to uphold the California Coastal Commission's ruling against the planned extension to the SR-241 toll road," told Surfrider Foundation's Assistant Environmental Director Mark Rauscher in a statement to the press. "This decision is a significant milestone in our efforts to protect San Onofre State Beach Park and the surrounding environment; and underscores the effectiveness of grassroots activism."

This victory won't just preserve the environment, but it also helps preserve the local economy. According to a Save The Waves impact report, every year the Trestles and San Onofre areas bring in millions of dollars in revenue to San Clemente and Orange County--from starved surfers buying burritos at Pedros to the unprepared masses that need to pick up a wetsuit or surfboard from the plethora of surf shops--and now all those local business can continue to flourish.

A huge pat on the back goes out to everybody that was involved in this long, drawn-out political process. Chalk one up for the good guys!