The TCA is like the
game whack-a-mole. No matter how many
times you knock down those persistant-little-moles, they continue to pop up. And so it goes with the TCA’s mistaken plan
to build their road. Yes, the same road
that was rejected by the California Coastal Commission and the Bush
Administration in 2008. Since 2011, the
TCA has been proposing to build the road in “segments”—five miles at a time. Surfrider
has been writing about their misguided plans on our Save Trestles blog. Of course, we are also working with the
Save San Onofre Coalition to monitor their moves and strategically stop their
plans.
“Segmenting” is illegal under state and federal law. Not
only does TCA’s plan circumvent important laws, this approach makes absolutely
no planning sense. The road would create
a “cul-de-sac of traffic” for San Juan Capistrano and would actually end at a
road that is not even built yet!
TCA’s segmentation plan= poor urban planning!
But here are two more kickers 1.), TCA doesn’t have any financial
plans or environmental permits to build this “segment”, AND 2.) TCA is being
investigated by the state of California to determine “the long-term financial
viability of the agency” (via a government
oversight panel chaired by state Treasurer Bill Lockyer,).
Despite not
having any plans, money, or political support, the TCA blindly believes they can
build their road in segments. Clearly, The
TCA is operating under the false assumption that public resistance to their
road has died down. Did they forget about
the insurmountable community opposition
that brought out thousands of people to attend state and federal
hearings in 2008?
The TCA recently filed an environmental permit with the Regional
Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) for the first section of the road (this is
one of many permits they need to obtain).
Their RWQCB application is grossly inadequate—TCA is overlooking impacts
to important wetlands, the San Juan Creek, and the surrounding watershed (which
could potentially affect the coastal zone).
We need your help to
remind the TCA (and decision makers) that the public doesn’t want their toll
road.
The RWQCB will be
hearing TCA’s application March 13 (in Costa Mesa at 9am). WE
NEED YOU TO ATTEND! Please mark your
calendars. Surfrider will be launching an “action alert” so you can write the
RQWCB. We will also be developing
talking points that can be used during public comment at the hearing on March
13.
Keep checking this blog for updates, and if you have
questions about the hearing and/or the TCA’s new plan, contact Stefanie
at: Ssekich@surfrider.org.
Break out your old Save Trestles tee shirts and join us March 13!
