Regional Water Quality Control Board DENIES TCA Permit to Construct Toll Road

On June 19th, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board voted 3-2 to deny the first segment of the 241 Toll Road extension.

During the standing-room-only hearing, Surfrider Foundation Chapter representatives, staff, supporters and Coalition partners took to the stand one after another to voice their opposition to the first 5.5-mile “segment” of the toll road extension. The project, which was proposed in 2011 just three years after the California Coastal Commission and the Bush Administration shot down the original alignment through San Onofre State Park, calls for the extension of SR-241 to be built in “segments” – five miles at a time. “Segmenting” is illegal under state and federal law.

Read Surfrider's Press Release here.

A massive thanks to all our supporters who came out to the meeting. Your voice and presence made a huge difference in the outcome!  Also thanks to our San Diego and South OC Chapters for working so hard to organize the day!

As a member of the Save San Onofre Coalition, Surfrider Foundation has great respect and thanks for our partners at the Natural Resources Defense Council, California State Parks Foundation, Endangered Habitats League, Orange County Coastkeeper, Sierra Club, Audobon, WildCoast and the California Coastal Protection Network. Not to mention our fantastic team of attorneys at Shute Mihaly & Weinberger.  This victory could not have happened without all of their scientific, legal and political muscle.  This was truly a TEAM effort!

Watch this great recap of the day, thanks to San Diego activist Darren Kawasaki.


And see lots of photos of the meeting on Instagram 

Participation Guide and Talking Points for June 19 Hearing

Join us June 19^th to help stop the TCA from building the first “segment” of their illegal toll road. We need hundreds of people to convince the Board to shut down this road once more!

If the first section of road is built, the “dominos” will fall and the rest of the road will be built down to San Onofre/Trestles.  

Surfrider is asking its supporters to attend the meeting at 1:00pm, and stay through the afternoon to demonstrate opposition to the road. Public comment will be taken shortly after 1pm. Here is a "Participation Guide and Talking Points" for the hearing.  

Contact Ssekich@surfrider.org or Mrauscher@surfrider.org with questions.  

Take five minutes to watch this video about our fight to Save Trestles.  Help us make an impact by attending the hearing on June 19th! 

WHAT: Water Quality Control Board
 Meeting regarding TCA’s permit for first 5 miles of road.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 19, 2013.  1:00pm

WHERE: Water Quality Control Board
 Meeting Room: 
9174 Sky Park Court
 SanDiego, CA 92123

WHY:  To stop the TCA from building the road in segments down to San Onofre/Trestles.  Bring your old Save Trestles shirts (we will have more shirts for sale). Surfrider will provide signs for you!   

Water Board Hearing Logistics and Carpools

We have one week to organize hundreds of people to attend the Water Board hearing.  Help us spread the word!  

We are asking people to come at 1pm and stay for as long as possible.  Public comment (YOUR chance to speak) will begin after the Save San Onofre Coalition and the Toll Road developers give formal presentations. 

We will have materials for people to make signs.  Bring your old Save Trestles tee-shirts and we will have extra tee-shirts for sell.  We will be circulating talking points within the next few days.  

In order to make the trip to San Diego more affordable, relaxing and environmentally friendly, we are arranging buses and carpools at the following locations.  

LA Area:  Surfrider activists will have a small van and caravan leaving from the West side.  If you are interested in joining this party down to San Diego, contact ghamilton@surfriderwlam.org

OC Area:  Activists have rented a bus and are meeting at OC Dana Point Harbor in both of the Cove parking lots.  These are parking lots underneath Cove Road and at the very end of Harbor Drive near the Ocean Institute.  Arrive no later than 11 AM for 11:15 departure.  Please RSVP by Mon this, June 17th to Penny at greenp1@cox.net

SD Area: Activists are taking public transit. There is a regular MTS bus (928) from Fashion Valley Transit Center (click here for a timetable) with a stop right at Ruffin Road and Sky Park Court. It's only a 30 minute ride and there's always heaps of parking at the Fashion Valley Transit Center. Day passes are $5 on board the bus and good for the trolley too. North County folks can use Coaster to Old Town, buy day pass there, take the Green Line Trolley to Fashion Valley Transit Center and board the 928 bus there.

Hope to see you on June 19^th!