Department of Commerce Hearing Events Update.

Due to the postponement of the Department of Commerce hearing at the UCI Bren Center we decided to postpone our "Hands Across the Toll Road" event scheduled for this Saturday, July 19th. This event is geared toward drawing attention to the importance of attending the Dept of Commerce hearing--and we want to hold this event in conjunction with the hearing. Since the hearing date/location is still up in the air, we are holding off on this demonstration until the Federal Government confirms a new location.

However, Surfrider and Sierra Club are planning a community meeting on July 24th to talk about what the possible postponement of the hearing means. Mark Massara, long time Surfrider and Sierra Club activist, (and attorney) will be on hand to discuss the current situation and answer questions. The meeting will take place on July 24th at the San Clemente Community Center at 7:30 pm. click here for directions

Don't forget... about all the work Surfrider Chapters are doing to raise awareness about the Trestles campaign. Many Surfrider chapters have events planed in local communities to raise awareness and inform people about the change in the venue of the public hearing. Please double check your local Chapter website for more details.

The Los Angeles Times released a great editorial today highlighting the fact that intense public interest demands that the hearing be rescheduled. click here

Update: Here is the official letter from NOAA

Eddie Vedder Says....

SAVE TRESTLES!!! Even though the Dept of Commerce hearing location and date is up in the air, Surfrider is still charging along...and so are our supporters! Thanks, Eddie!

Big News!! Toll Road Hearing Possibly Postponed

We were informed this weekend that UC Irvine's Bren Center will NOT play host to the Commerce Department’s public hearing on the 241 Toll Road on July 25th. They feared that the turnout from supporters of San Onofre State Beach and Trestles would overwhelm the facilities at UCI, estimating that over 10,000 of you would show up.

Clearly there is strong community opposition to this destructive highway project, and those voices need to be heard. Unfortunately no other venue has been identified, and the Commerce Department has made no definitive decision on how or when to move forward with the hearing. We will keep you informed as the situation develops, but for now we are assuming there will be NO Hearing on July 25th at the Bren Center.

In the meantime, make sure that the Commerce Department knows that you still want the opportunity to be heard. Send an email to Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez demanding that they reschedule the hearing so that he can hear from the community on this issue. Copy and paste the text below or write your own letter, and send it to gcos.comments@noaa.gov

Dear Secretary Gutierrez, You previously promised to hold a hearing in Southern California to gauge the public's feelings on the proposed 241 Toll Road through San Onofre State Beach. The venue you chose for this hearing felt that the expected crowd was beyond their abilities serve properly. This intense public interest is even more reason for you to follow through on your promise and reschedule the hearing to an appropriate venue at a later date. As a member of the public I deserve the opportunity to have my voice heard on this issue. Please do not silence my voice on this important decision.

Sincerely, Your Name and Address

We will keep you informed about any changes. Thanks for your continued support to protect Trestles and San Onofre!!

Your pals at Surfrider,

Join us for Events to raise awarness about the Upcoming Hearing.

The "Hands Across the Toll Road" event scheduled for July 19th has been canceled. We want to hold this event in conjunction with the hearing. Since the hearing date/location is up in the air, we are holding off on the demonstration until the Federal Government confirms a new location.

However, our Chapter network is still busy raising awareness about the Save Trestles campaign. They will be talking about the Save Trestles campaign at the following events to make sure local communities are aware of the campaign and inform people about the change in the venue of the public hearing. Please double check your local Chapter website for details.


July 17: The Newport Chapter is hosting a Save Trestles art show at Havassy.
July 19/20: The South Orange County Chapter will have a booth at Ocean Fest in San Clemente
July 20: Don't miss the South Orange County Chapter's Save Trestles benefit concert at the OC Tavern (see flyer below)
July 24th: The West LA/Malibu Chapter is throwing their "Surfrider Summer Night at Air Conditioned" party and with a special Save Trestle theme.
July 24-27: US Open Surf contest in Huntington Beach. Surfrider activists will be educating contest goers and also gathering signatures to present to the Secretary of Commerce.



The San Diego Chapter of Surfrider recently took to the sky.....check out these savvy activists: click here And....coming to a TV station near you...our PSA regarding the July 25th hearing: click here Remember this is just a sampling.... There are several Chapters in Southern California that are keeping the pressure on the TCA by being visible in their communities.

Newport Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation--Trestles Benefit.

For Immediate Release:
July 10, 2008

Contact: marisamudge@yahoo.com

Havassy Art Show, "Feminine Waves" / Surfrider Foundation Save TrestlesBenefit:
http://havassyart.com/news_events/fem-waves.html
Thursday July 17th, 6-11pm.
Sol Grill 110 McFadden Place,
Newport Beach Ca 92663.

This coming Thursday, July 17th, reknown artist Robb Havassy will bepresenting an art exhibition and benefit, featuring more than 30 newpaintings and sculptures. The event titled "Feminine Waves" will showcaseHavassy's unique fusion of color and motion and the interplay ofmulti-media depictions of the feminine form incorporated into fancifulsurf-scapes.

The event, hosted by Newport Beach's legendary Sol Grill, (located at thebase of Newport Pier, next to Sharkey's), begins with an artist receptionfrom 6-7 pm, featuring complimentary food, Las Olas wine and Havassy's newsangria, Solgria. The show is open to the public from 6-11pm, with specialmusical performances by DJ Dave Onex from Elektrik Haze, as well an acousticset by Will Crum and other special musical guests.

The "Feminine Waves" exhibition will feature art for sale as well as araffle with 100% of the proceeds of the raffle, going to benefit theSurfrider Foundation's, Newport Beach chapter. The raffle items includeSector9 skateboards and apparel, gear from Hurley, Oneill, Atwater,Robert August Surfboards, Havassy's art, sandals, new 2009 Surf Odysseycalendar, gift certificates from Spa Gregorie and Sol Grill, Las Olaswine, and much more.This benefit event will not only help to raise money for SurfriderFoundation, but also increase awareness for the crucial "Save Trestles"campaign to save the state park.

Surfrider Foundation will be on hand toprovide information about the critical upcoming public hearing on thematter at UCI, July 25th. This hearing needs a huge show of public supportto stand against the private interests, namely the Transportation CorridorAuthority, that seeks to pave a toll road through an irreplaceableCalifornia resource.On June 25, the Secretary of Commerce announced that a public hearingregarding the controversial 241 Toll Road extension is scheduled to takeplace July 25 at the Bren Center on the campus of UC Irvine.

This hearingmarks the next battle between the Transportation Corridor Authority (TCA)and opponents over the continuation of the road, which would lead to theclosure of the popular campgrounds at San Onofre State Park and spoiling ofthe San Mateo Creek."The "Save Trestles, Save the State Park" campaign means so much to thesurfing community and surf industry. Imagine if we were to lose thesenatural resources! Thanks to Surfrider Foundation for their leadership infighting the building of the 241 Toll Road extension through the park.
However, it is an expensive effort, and this event will help raise money tosupport the cause. Thank you." Bob Mignogna, former publisher of SurfingMagazine.

For more information on the Save Trestles Campaign, go tohttp://www.savetrestles.org or http://www.surfrider.org.About Surfrider Foundation:The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicatedto the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves and beaches.Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California,the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chaptersworldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, go towww.surfrider.org.For More information about the "FEMININE WAVES" event go tohttp://www.havassyart.com and http://www.solgrill.com.

Your Official Invite To The Biggest Hearing On Earth.

Bren Center at UC Irvine
July 25, 2008
10:30 A.M. - 8:30 P.M.

Save San Onofre PSA

Please attend the Commerce Dept. Hearing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7HbV_JvmXA

Write a Letter to Your Editor

Writing letters to the editor is a great way to raise awareness about the upcoming hearing. And most importantly, keep the pressure on the Secretary of Commerce to do the right thing.

Focusing on local papers is the best place to start. Please compose a quick letter, (no more than 125 words) to your local newspaper demanding the Federal Government uphold to the Coastal Commission’s ruling. Urge the Secretary of Commerce to stop this toll road once and for all. The route proposed does not relieves traffic, impacts the San Mateo watersheds, closes 60% of a beloved San Onofre State Beach, and is not environmentally sound.

OC REGISTER letters@ocregister.com
SD UNION TRIB letters@uniontrib.com
SCSUNPOST sunpostnews@ocregister.com
NO CO.TIMES letters@nctimes.com
LATIMES letters@latimes.com
DP NEWS apotter@ocregister.com
SADLBK VAL tcisneros@ocregister.com
SCTIMES ngarrett@sanclementetimes.com
rnordquist@sctimes.com

Save Trestles and San Onofre beach hike

Don't forget to go the Commerce Dep't Hearing July 25th at UCI!

Public Hearing set for July 25th

The biggest hearing yet for Trestles will take place Friday, July 25th at the Bren Center on the campus of University of California, Irvine.

This hearing marks the next critical battle in a decade long fight to protect Trestles!

We already won the battle, here in California, when the California Coastal Commission (CCC) struck down the toll road on grounds it violates the Coastal Act. But, the TCA refused to accept the CCC decision and has appealed it to the Federal Government.

Now, we need to ensure the Federal Government supports important California environmental laws and upholds the Coastal Commission decision.

How do we do that? By coming out in droves to the hearing on July 25th!!

Public participation and your voices were critical in convincing the Coastal Commission to deny the toll road. We need to apply the same pressure to the Federal Government--they must see first hand how many people are invested in protecting San Onofre State Beach and Trestles.

On the day of the event, Surfrider will be running buses from the LA and San Diego areas. If you want to leave from San Diego, please RSVP at: savetrestles@surfrider.org with the subject line: buses to hearing. Please indicate if you want a bus from North or South San Diego County. If you want to leave from LA area, please RSVP: click here Please make plans to attend the hearing at UC Irvine with your friends and family and stand up for Trestles, for state parks, and against the toll road.

Let's do it again--but even bigger this time!
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Join Surfrider for a Trestles benefit concert Saturday July 5th

Che Cafe at UCSD 9500 Gilman Dr.
Student Center B-0323C, La Jolla, California 92093
7 PM
$5-- Additional Donations Accepted

Bands Included:

*The Feelings Mutual
*Silent Armada
*Blue's Ruby
*The Variety Show

News Flash--Public Hearing to be Held July 24th and/or 25th.

Mark Your Calendars!

The Department of Commerce announced today the hearing for the TCA's appeal of the Coastal Commission decision will be held July 24th and/or 25th. As always, it takes some time for government agencies to nail down the exact date, but at least we know it will be July 24th and/or 25th. The hearing will more than likely be at the Bren Event Center of the University of California, Irvine.

We'll get more details as they come in…. including the exact date, meeting format, agenda, etc... so stay tuned!

Also, we'll be renting buses again (more than likely leaving from LA and San Diego). So if you are interested in riding the bus, please send an email to: savetrestles@surfrider.org with the subject line: buses to hearing. We need you at this hearing! Please make sure our Federal Government upholds California laws and decisions. Remember, in February 2008 the California Coastal Commission voted to deny the toll road through San Onofre State Beach. Following a 14 hour hearing, attended by thousands, the Commission listened to reason and law by rejecting the toll road application.

The people in D.C. need to hear from people who care about San Onofre and Trestles! Your voice is needed! Don't let the TCA's lobbyists be the only influence on this important decision !(remember a few weeks ago when we told you the TCA is spending nearly $50,000 a month on lobbying...?).

We must counter their money with our voices!

For Trestles, Stefanie

More Shenanigans from the TCA

Just when we think the TCA can't astound and disappoint us more...they do!

The surprise factor came when the TCA Board of Directors approved to spend nearly one million dollars annually on lobbying expenses! Yep! Just last week, they hired a second lobbying firm and will pay that company $35,000 a month!! Combined with current lobbying expenses, the TCA will be spending more monthly on lobbying, than the average American household earns annually!

Sit on that for a while...and, remember, the organizations fighting the TCA rely on grassroots advocates and volunteers to do most of their "lobbying".

The disappointment factor of the TCA is always there...but was compounded by their participation in secret meetings with key federal regulators. A federal interagency committee (formally known as the South Orange County Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Project) has been tasked with coordinating an objective evaluation of alternatives to the Foothill-South Toll Road extension.

And guess what?...the TCA keeps showing up and meddling with the process, essentially rendering the committee incapable of being "objective". Well, Lt. Governor John Garamendi is not happy about the public being kept out of the process and the TCA having "secret access"...so, the Lt. Governor wrote a very strongly worded letter to the Federal Government asking for the process to be changed. You've gotta read the press release: click here

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Are you interested in learning more about the proposed toll road and how it will impact San Onofre and Trestles? Join Stefanie Sekich, of the Surfrider Foundation, on a guided tour and hike of the area on Saturday June 28th. We'll be meeting at the Trestles Parking lot at 10:30. Please RSVP at: SSekich@surfrider.org

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Did you get your Reagan Shirt Yet?

Better hurry! click here to purchase online.... Then Governor Ronald Reagan, along with then President Richard Nixon created San Onofre State Park in 1971. Help us keep his legacy alive...he said: "I believe the greatest legacy we can leave to future generations is the heritage of our land..."

LT. GOV. GARAMENDI QUESTIONS TOLL ROAD AGENCY PARTICIPATION IN SECRET MEETINGS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2008

***
Foothill South Toll Road Opponents Raise Concerns
About an Open, Transparent Public Process


LOS ANGELES – Citing serious concerns about the “extreme secrecy” surrounding the Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) participation in a key federal interagency committee (formally known as the South Orange County Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Project – SOCTIIP – Collaborative), Lt. Governor John Garamendi sent a strongly worded letter to Jane Luxton, general counsel at the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration requesting a more open, public process.

One of the main functions of the federal committee is to coordinate federal agency evaluation of alternatives to the Toll Road proposed to go through the Donna O’Neill Conservancy and San Onofre State Beach Park. As such, this important committee is in a position to determine whether or not new information regarding alternative is objectively considered.

In this June 10, 2008, letter, Lt. Gov. Garamendi stated, “My concern is that these deliberations, so critical to your [NOAA and the Dept. of Commerce’s] final analysis, are being finalized in an environment where ONLY the project applicant examines, presents, evaluates and comments upon evidence. There is no opportunity for the public to participate in or even witness discussions and deliberations.”

“TCA is not a collaborative member, but an observer. The structure of the SOCTIIP Collaborative has created an untenable situation: a project proponent with interests that are potentially adverse to the public or in contravention of law, is provided exclusive permission to communicate freely with federal regulators sheltered from public scrutiny. This set up frustrates the purpose of open government and public records law,” added Lt. Gov. Garamendi.

To resolve this situation, Lt. Gov. Garamendi requests four things: that observers representing the public must be invited to attend and participate in each SOCTIIP collaborative meeting; that all previous and future meetings from Collaborative meetings must be released to the public; that a list of attendees to all Collaborative meetings be released to the public; and that all testimony, documentation and analyses of any kind be made publicly available within a reasonable time after each meeting.

“Given the Coastal Commission’s strong position in opposition to the toll road and the fact that more than 25,000 people have filed comments with the Department of Commerce expressing their views about this controversial project through a state park, it is extremely troubling that the TCA is meeting behind closed doors with federal regulators and that these meetings are completely shielded from the public,” stated Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the California State Parks Foundation and leading member of the Save San Onofre Coalition.

“The TCA has, time and again, sought to stifle public review and participation, and attempted to exert undue ‘behind the scenes’ influence on their deeply flawed toll road project,” added Goldstein. “After TCA made a decision to appeal the Coastal Commission’s rejection of the toll road, TCA, a public agency, actually requested that the Department of Commerce not hold a public hearing – a request that was rejected. TCA should not be allowed to continue to meet secretly with federal agencies about the Foothill South Toll Road. The Collaborative’s deliberations should not be shrouded in secrecy but open to the public and transparent.”

BACKGROUND:

The Save San Onofre Coalition is a diverse coalition of individuals and groups that includes four former state parks commissioners, local, regional, state and national environmental organizations, cities, counties and elected officials statewide. For more information about the Save San Onofre Coalition, visit www.savesanonofre.com. You can obtain a copy of Lt. Governor Garamendi’s letter at http://www.ltg.ca.gov/images//toll%20road%20letter%20luxton%206-11-08.pdf

# # #

Trestles Trivia and Updates

We all know that Trestles is priceless to us personally, but did you know the beach is worth millions and millions and...millions?

UCLA researchers have found that surfers attracted to Trestles generate millions of $$$$ for the local economy by spending money at restaurants, shopping, buying gas, rentals and other beach-related items. Researchers estimate surfers visiting Trestles generate from $8 million to $13 million a year for the City of San Clemente. Wow!!

The other cool part of the data shows that nearly 83% of the surfers visiting Trestles originate from outside the city of San Clemente...and get this, the whole crunchy, surfer-dude stereotype that most surfers are young and underemployed is now officially debunked. The average Trestles surfer is 35.6 years of age, is well-educated (42% of respondents have a minimum of a college degree), works full time and earns a high wage (41% earn $80,000 or more in individual income). Plus, they really know how to surf! The average Trestles surfer has 19.7 years of surfing experience!

So, What's your surf spot worth?

Help researchers at UCLA conduct a survey of surfers who surf at California surf spots to evaluate their worth. You can help, click here. Your participation can help us better protect and manage California surf spots in the future. To learn more about the economic impacts Trestles has click here

The 241 Toll Road is Missing the Mark--Literally! The LA times recently reported that ridership on the 241 toll road is down 4% and if the trend continues, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) will miss their projected budget by 8%. For the article. click here

PS--we still have not heard when and where the next public hearing will be. We do know that it will be sometime this summer or early fall. Help us start spreading the word now! Last time, over 3,000 people attended the Coastal Commission hearing, and with your help, we can get thousands of people to attend the Secretary of Commerce hearing. Our Federal government needs to see first hand how many people want to protect Trestles and San Onofre State Beach--and your help is key!!!

Poet John Gardiner Shares his Views on the Toll Road

Legislators Ask Secretary of Commerce to Protect San Onofre

The Commerce Department reports that over 25,000 comment letters have been received from the public. Thousands of you have told them not to overturn the Coastal Commission. Two letters in particular are notable


First 27 members of Congress including Senator Barbara Boxer and Rep. Susan Davis

• "We write to express our opposition to the Orange County Foothill South Toll Road project as currently proposed and to ask that you uphold the decision by the California Coastal Commission." ... "We do not believe that the TCA can satisfy any of the criteria on which you are required to base your decision."

Then 35 members of the CA Legislature wrote in and called for the Commerce Department to respect the rights of the Coastal Commission to manage the state's coastal resources. .

• "The Commission's decision was clear regarding the incompatibility and inconsistency of the Foothill-South Toll Road project with coastal protection laws. As such, its decision should receive appropriate deference during the appeal process. We urge you to uphold the Commission's decision and deny the appeal - respect the public process that has already ruled on this project and respect our state's right to protect our citizens, our coast and our natural resources.

Huge thanks go out to our supporters, activists and legislators.

New Flash--Public Hearing Granted for Trestles

Very exciting news!

The Secretary of Commerce has granted a public hearing regarding the TCA's appeal of the California Coastal Commission decision. This is a huge boost for the Trestles campaign and a victory for the public. We owe this chance for another public hearing to you!

Thousands of you sent letters to the Secretary requesting a hearing--your overwhelming response played a significant role in helping the Commerce Department reach this decision--reaffirming the importance of public involvement. Toll road developers are opposed to a public hearing, preferring that a decision be made "behind closed doors"--proving they are less interested in hearing public concerns and more focused on pushing an ill-conceived proposal that does not meet California environmental law.

The TCA claims they didn't like the atmosphere at the Coastal Commission hearing. Yet, the TCA neglects to point out that hundreds of activists ceded their public comment time in deference to the Commission in order to ensure the Commissioners had plenty of time to deliberate and finish the meeting in a timely manner.

The CCC hearing drew more than 3,500 and was the largest in Commission history. Surfrider and our Coalition partners are planning for another large turnout at the Secretary of Commerce hearing to ensure the Federal Government sees first hand how many people are invested in protecting a State Park and a pristine watershed.

While Surfrider is energized by Secretary's decision to hold a hearing, we are focused and ready to keep the pressure on! The hearing will take place sometime during the summer or early fall. The location of the hearing will be either in Orange County or San Diego County. We'll keep you posted. Click hereto see an article from the LA Times. And click hereto see an article from the North County Times.

Thanks for your continuing support!

(Photo: Branimir Kvartuc)

Don't Forget to Send your Letter to the Dep't of Commerce

Easily send a letter by going here: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tollroadappeal0408

1971 article on the history of San Onofre State Beach

Very interesting to read about the politics. Huge kudos to President Nixon for sticking to his guns. Craig Van Note wrote this story in 1971, originally for the San Clemente Sun-Post, but this reprint is from Surfer Magazine.


And while we're at it, here's a couple pictures of the Duke visiting San Onofre in the 1930's.

Kelly Slater Partners with Eddie Vedder for Event to Support Trestles

On April 19th Kelly Slater launched his new foundation with an evening event featuring an acoustic performance by Eddie Vedder. They raised over $350,000 dollars to benefit several environmental groups, including the Save Trestles Campaign. Read the full story at Surfline and check out the highlight reel below..