Please help save one of California’s most treasured waves. This may be the most important thing you do this year. Please take a moment to help.
The California’s Coastal Commission shot down a toll-road/major highway proposal that would bisect one of our State Parks, San Onofre State Park.
The Wave: Two creeks, the San Mateo creek and San Onofre creek run right with the proposed toll road/highway. With all the earth moving, sand, sediment, concrete that will be brought in the creeks will a) dump tons of sand into the cobblestones at Trestles changing/destroying this beautiful wave. b) Stop the creek from running at all which would affect wildlife, fish, and the surf spot at Trestles.
The federal government is trying to override the state decision.
What you can do:
Click on the link below to let the Secretary of Commerce know that you cannot overturn our State decision and Highways do not belong in our State Parks!
The public hearing will be held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on September 22, 2008.
The public comment period is open until October 2, 2008
We have an action alert asking the Secretary of Commerce to uphold the Coastal Commission decision here: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tollroadappeal0408
Also please check out this website for the proposed toll road that will bisect San Onofre State Park. http://www.surfrider.org/savetrestles/blog/index.asp
Details about the September 22nd Public Meeting:
The toll road hearing, next Monday, September 22, is fast approaching.
We need you to bring your friends and family! As we saw at the Coastal Commission hearing, when over 3,000 people show up and demand protection of San Onofre and Trestles, decision makers listen! We cannot let the Bush administration overturn a decision that has already been made in California. Get ready! It’s time to gather and defend Trestles.
Hopefully you have had a chance to read the hearing procedures: click here
Hand-held sings need be a specific dimension (13 x 22 inches). Surfrider will be setting up sign-making stations to ensure everyone has “the right sized signs”; and we’ll also be passing out signs already made. Since the hearing will go ‘all day’, we are creating interactive stations and planning fun activities outside the hearing (such as, face painting for the kids, frisbee, hacky sack, and of course letter writing stations)! If you can’t come for the entire day, please stop by for a bit–just coming for an hour or two CAN make a difference–at this point, public pressure is key to stopping this toll road.
At the hearing, there will be “drop boxes” for letters and we need to fill them up! If you have friends who cannot come, please let them know you can hand-deliver a letter for them. Surfrider, and our partners, will be providing supporters with tee shirts and other goodies (first come, first served). Upon arriving, please check in at the welcome booth. During the hearing break (scheduled at 2pm), we are planning a rally with special speakers. We will also gather briefly after the hearing to re-cap the day and celebrate our efforts!
Other “House Keeping Notes”… We are hoping the list of speakers will be published soon. You can check NOAA’s website here: click here and click on “TCA”. By Friday we’ll be sending around “talking points” to assist you with your testimony (if you are chosen to speak).
We have space in our bus/carpool. If you are coming from Orange County, email Robin: robin.everett@sierraclub.org. If you are in San Diego, email: savetrestles@surfrider.org and indicate if you would like to leave from Ocean Beach or Oceanside. If you are driving yourself, please note there is a $9 parking fee.
Don’t forget our street corner demonstration on Sunday before the hearing. September 21st–9am: Street San Elijo Ave and Chesterfield Dr, in Cardiff, CA. Meet us on the corner of San Elijo and Chesterfield in Cardiff, CA (near the Patagonia store). Patagonia Address: 2185 San Elijo Ave Cardiff By Sea, CA 92007. Thanks for your continued support and see you on Sept 22!