News Flash: Trestles Prevails with the Federal Government

Get Ready for an Early Holiday Present!

The Department of Commerce announced today that it would uphold the California Coastal Commission's decision! The egregious project to build a toll road through San Onofre State Beach is officially illegal under state and Federal law! In a release issued from the Department of Commerce, they "determined that there is at least one reasonable alternative to the project and that the project is not necessary in the interest of national security.

While the decision is a fatal blow to the project, the fight to build the toll road is not over. We still need opponents of the toll road to continue writing letters and communicating with their local elected officials to let them know we are happy with the results and we stand behind the Department of Commerce's decision. In the coming days, we will have specific action items, but in the meantime, take some time to CELEBRATE this wonderful victory! Of course, Surfrider and our Coalition members will be planning a great celebration party, so stay tuned for that.

This victory would not have been possible if it was not for the activists who showed up by the thousands at the California Coastal Commission and Secretary of Commerce hearings or wrote letters to voice their opposition to the toll road.

Without a doubt, this victory belongs to the all dedicated individuals who have followed this campaign for several years. The ruling proves decision-makers listen when thousands of people speak out against ill-conceived projects.

Surfrider is calling upon the TCA and Orange County elected officials to embrace alternative transportation strategies that will better address the county's traffic issues without jeopardizing our environmental, recreational and economic resources.

We challenge the TCA to stop wasting money on lawyers and lobbying and to work with regional stakeholders to find better traffic solutions.

Should the TCA choose to appeal the Department of Commerce's decision, the Surfrider Foundation and its coalition partners are prepared to fight that battle as well.

On behalf of the Surfrider Foundation thank you for your continuing support! Our flagship campaign would not be possible without!

For Trestles,
Your pals at Surfrider

Seasons Greetings and Reminder the Federal Gov’t will Rule Soon on Toll Road…

Happy Holidays from the Surfrider Foundation!

As we enter into the busy holiday season, we want to remind you that the Secretary of Commerce will soon be making his decision regarding the appeal of the California Coastal Commission ruling. He has until Jan 7, 2009 to decide.

If the Secretary of Commerce upholds the Coastal Commission's decision, then we are one huge step closer to stopping this project, protecting San Onofre State Park and SAVING TRESTLES! If the Secretary rules in favor of the toll road developers, then it means that our federal officials can be bought off by big business...

Regardless of the decision, Surfrider needs you to stay engaged--no matter what the decision is, there will be work for us to do!

We'll need to continue writing letters and communicating with elected officials. And, either way, we'll need YOUR continued support to apply endless pressure so we can effectively stop this horrific project! Once the Secretary makes his decision, we will have specific action items for you. In the meantime, take a look at this blog posted on the LA Times regarding the Secretary of Commerce decision. We need favorable comments on the blog--so fire away! click here

Thanks again for all your effort and support!