Official Surfrider Foundation Media Alert

**SAVE THE DATE**

SECRETARY OF COMMERCE HEARING
SEPTEMBER 22 AT DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS

WHO: Surfrider Foundation activists, surfers, hikers and everyone who opposes the extension of the 241 Toll Road. It is critical that toll road opponents register to speak and attend the hearing to show their strong support for San Onofre State Beach.

WHAT: The U.S. Secretary of Commerce rescheduled public hearing regarding the controversial 241 Toll road extension.

WHEN: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM

WHERE: O’Brien Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar, CA 92014

TO SPEAK: In order to speak at the hearing, a written request must be submitted via United States Mail or commercial carrier to NOAA by September 12, 2008. No requests received after September 12 or requests submitted via e-mail, fax or voicemail will be considered. Please say you will be speaking as an individual, not representing an organization.

Send written request to:
Thomas Street, NOAA Office of General Counsel for Ocean Services
1305 East-West Highway, Room 6111
Silver Spring, MD 20910

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: STEFANIE SEKICH SURFRIDER FOUNDATION – SSEKICH@SURFRIDER.ORG

Please be sure to carefully review the rule and procedures for the hearing here: www.surfrider.org/savetrestles/files/Hearing_FAQs.pdf


###

Benefit for Save Trestles

World Gallery Fine Art presents:
The Perfect Wave

To benefit the Surfrider Foundation's Save Trestles campain.

Art auction and raffle!

Saturday, September 5, 20086-11pm

World Gallery Fine Art

1980 Placentia Ave.Costa Mesa, CA. 92627949-646-6612

Featuring the Artwork of:
Drew Brophy, Thomas Bugard, Chad Carothers, Eileen Comia, Sean Fahlen, Kim Hamrock, Howard Kirk, John Lewis, Dennis McTighe, Keith Neblet, Robert Andrian, Josh Searfin, , ..

and others.Music By: H.B.ʼs surf punk legends The Crowdwith the Strangers The Hula Girls and special quests

Food and beverages

"THE PERFECT WAVE"THE PERFECT WAVE is an artistic expression of the California surf culture. THE PERFECT WAVE event will provide an environment for these diverse artists to express their vision of what the perfect wave is to them. Each artist will unveil a their new work specifically created for the event. A raffle will be held for the works and proceeds will go to further the fight to Save Trestles and San Onofre State park from being bisected by the 241 toll road.

Our Waiting Paid Off!

The Secretary of Commerce announced the rescheduled public hearing will take place on September 22 at O'Brien Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM. The hearing location is perfect, since this is where the Coastal Commission heard the facts from both sides and voted 8-2 against the toll road. Also the Park and Trestles beach are in San Diego County, so it's ideal to hold the hearing where the project will have the worst impacts.

The hearing is open to all members of the public, and anyone wishing to provide oral testimony at the hearing must submit a written request via US mail or commercial carrier to NOAA no later than September 12, 2008. Neither requests after this date nor requests submitted by fax, email or voicemail will be considered. In the request, please include full name, address and a statement that the testimony will be provided on behalf of the individual, (see below for example of what to mail to the Secretary) .

It's critical that you register to speak and attend the hearing to show your strong opposition to the toll road. As we saw with the Coastal Commission, decision makers take notice and weigh their decision more carefully when thousands of people attend a public hearing. It's imperative that Save Trestles supporters, from near and far, are present to ensure the Commission's decision is upheld.

We will be sending out more concrete details as they come, but in the meantime, please mail your request to speak immediately. As always, you can still attend a public hearing even if you do not speak. But the more people we having testifying on behalf of Trestles and San Onofre, the greater chance we have of finally winning this battle! Please be sure to carefully review the rules and procedures for the hearing here: www.surfrider.org/savetrestles/files/Hearing_FAQs.pdf

Please Include the Following, and Physically Mail To:

Thomas Street, NOAA Office of General Counsel for Ocean Services
1305 East-West Highway, Room 6111
Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Please note, all mail must be received no later than September 12, 2008

In Your Letter Say:

Dear Mr. Street,

I wish to speak at the public hearing on September 22 in Del Mar, CA. I will be speaking as an individual, not representing an organization.

Thank you.

Name:

Address:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking for More Volunteer Opportunities?

As we did throughout the month of August, we will be in the community raising awareness about the hearing (via street corner demonstrations, community events, etc) And we'll be down at Boost Mobil surf contest. This is the "contest of all contests" and it's at Trestles beach! If you haven't volunteered for this event, it's a must! This is your chance to educate people about the Save Trestles campaign, and check out professional surfers from around the world compete. Below are dates and shifts…please indicate what shift you would like (first come, first served). RVSP your spot by emailing savetrestles@surfrider.org with the subject line: Boost

Thursday, September 11
• 9am-12pm
• 12pm-3pm

Friday, September 12
• 9am-12pm
• 12pm-3pm

Saturday, September 13
• 9am-12pm
• 12pm-3pm

Thanks for your support and see you on Sept 22! **Please note the official press release from Surfrider Foundation is forthcoming. Please do not post this content as an official press release.

Paddle for State Parks

The Paddle for State Parks is a grassroots project designed to raise public awareness of the threats to our California State Parks From: http://www. driftmagazine. co. uk/newsread. asp?id=1436

WHAT: Hans Fernan, an Encinitas lifeguard, will lead a group of paddlers over a period of six days and paddle the entire coastline of San Diego County from Border Field State Park to San Onofre State Park- a total of over 70 miles.. The last day of the paddle will coincide with the opening day of the surfing world tour event at Trestles Beach in San Onofre State Park. The paddle is being supported by WiLDCOAST, a nonprofit organization that protects and preserves coastal ecosystems in the Californias and Latin America..

WHY: Both underfunding and proposed development projects threaten our parks.. Earlier this year, the Governor proposed closing 48 state parks (17% of the entire system) and reducing lifeguard staffing on 16 of the state's most popular beaches.. Proposed development projects currently threaten 2 of the state's most popular state parks which both happen to be in San Diego County.. If built, the 241 Toll Road would destroy 60% of San Onofre State Park, and the Sunrise Powerlink would forever change Anza Borrega State Park..Most Californians believe that our state parks are permanent- that they will exist forever for future generations to enjoy. However, as these development projects show, this is not the case. .This paddle is an effort to provoke public dialog by drawing attention to the need for our state elected officials to develop legislation that will protect our state parks from underfunding and future development projects- FOREVER..

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PADDLE:• Join the Paddle: If you're an active paddler up for the challenge, join Hans on any or all legs of the trip• Provide Transportation: Paddlers will need rides to/from paddle locations.Volunteers should have a car with surf racks or a truck• Spread the Word: Forward this on to anyone who might be interested in the project; post it on public forums, etc• Advocate for State Parks: Write or call your state elected officials from the CA State Assembly and Senate urging them to support all state parks by opposing the 241 Toll Road through San Onofre and the Sunrise Powerlink through Anza Borrego, and help to pass The California State Park Access Pass being proposed by Rep.Laird (D-Santa Cruz) The California State Park Access Pass is a proposal to provide critical funding for the state park system, while offering Californians free day-use access to their state parks.. It creates a new funding stream for supporting California's state parks by instituting a $10 surcharge on vehicle license fees of all non-commercial vehicles in California and some light commercial vehiclesTo contact your representatives visit: www. savestateparks. org

PADDLE LOCATIONS AND DISTANCES:•
September 2 - Border Field State Park (Imperial Beach) to Coronado 10..5 miles•
September 3- Coronado around Point Loma 3..8 mile to Ocean Beach Pier 6..4 miles total for day 10..2 miles•
September 4- Ocean Beach around Seal Rock 6..8 miles to Scripps Pier 2..5 total for day 9..3 miles•
September 5- Scripps to Encinitas Moonlight Beach 12..7 miles•
September 6 - Encinitas to Oceanside Pier 11..5 miles
• September 7- Oceanside to San Onofre State Beach 18..0 miles• Total miles 72..2

CONTACTS:Hans Fernan, Project Lead, (760) 504-9046 ; Ben McCue, WiLDCOAST, (619) 423-8665 x 208

Taking it to the Streets....round two.

Join Surfrider activists on Saturday, August 23rd at 4:30 on the corner of Villa De La Valle and Jimmy Durante Blvd. for a demonstration to protect Trestles and San Onofre! Even though the Department of Commerce has not rescheduled the hearing yet, it's important that we are highly visible and continuing to put pressure on the Federal Government to reschedule the public hearing. We'll be waiving signs, holding surf boards and constructing miniature tents to demonstrate how the toll road will ruin the camping and surfing experience at San Onofre State Beach. And we need you there!

San Onofre Coalition Sues Fish and Wildlife Service

Yesterday the Coalition to Save San Onofre, of which Surfrider is a member, filed a lawsuit in federal court against the US Fish and Wildlife Service over their issuance of their "Biological Opinion" on the toll road. The lawsuit claims that "the Agencies’ decisions are severely flawed and biased, and could open the door for an ecological disaster if the toll road were built. The lawsuit charges that the agencies ignored or downplayed the threats the Toll Road poses to seven species, rather than relying on the best available science as required by law."

Here's the press release and an article in today's Union Tribune.

Save Trestles Signs Here, There and Everywhere!

Elizabeth Willes of the San Diego Chapter is touring with Jack Johnson to raise awareness about Surfrider’s newest campaign, Raise Above Plastics. She is taking the Trestles love with her and getting people to carry our Save Trestles signs. Here is a picture of a very hot new band called Rogue Wave and singer/songwriter Mason Jennings. Thanks Elizabeth!

Trestles Activists are Active at the Capitol and a Street Corner near You.

On Monday of this week, regional and state representatives of the Surfrider Foundation hit the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento! The main purpose of the visit was to attend an informational hearing about the "State of our State Parks".

The Senate Natural Resources Committee and Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee jointly sponsored the hearing in order to examine important issues facing our state parks. Topics covered included: the funding crisis in State Parks, development threats, concerns about how we are protecting state parks for the future, and more.

Of course, San Onofre State Park and Trestles were at the center of the issues discussed. Surfrider was pleased to give testimony about the importance of protecting our State Parks and stopping the toll road through the 5th most popular State Park. Prior to the hearing, Surfrider its coalition partners organized a press conference with notable speakers such as Senator Christine Kehoe and Assemblymember Laird to highlight threats facing our State Parks system.
Join Surfrider activists on Sunday, August 17th at 10:30 am at Main Beach in Laguna Beach for a demonstration to protect Trestles and San Onofre! Even though the Department of Commerce has not rescheduled the hearing yet, it's important that we are highly visible and continuing to put pressure on the Federal Government to reschedule the public hearing. We'll be waiving signs, holding surf boards and constructing miniature tents to demonstrate how the toll road will ruin the camping and surfing experience at San Onofre State Beach. And we need you there!

Directions: Drive North or South on I- 5 Freeway, exit Hwy. 133 South. The 133 South turns into Laguna Canyon Road and becomes Broadway which will end at Pacific Coast Highway at Main Beach. Look for Surfrider banners near the lifeguard tower.

Nearly every weekend during August and September we'll be out in communities in Southern California raising awareness about the campaign. If you can't make the demonstration at Main Beach on August 17th, send an email to savetrestles@surfrider.org to learn about other outreach opportunities we have.
What's your surf spot worth?

Help us find out.

Researchers at UCLA are conducting a survey of surfers who surf at California surf spots to evaluate their worth. You can help by visiting this link and filling out the survey. click here Trestles is in the list of surf spots.

Your participation can help us better protect and manage California surf spots in the future.

Background: Researchers at UCLA are conducting a research project on the economics of surfing. For part of the project they are planning to assess the economic value of surf spots in California. To do so they need to get as many surfers who surf California surf spots as possible to fill out a web-based survey within 24 hours of surfing. The more surfers who fill out the survey the more accurate the estimation. The results will be used in a model to estimate the economic value of surf spots in California.

38 Legislators Oppose the Toll road

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/road-toll-state-2115437-letter-coastal

Thirty eight state legislators have signed a letter opposing construction of the Foothill South toll road, saying the U.S. Secretary of Commerce should not void a decision by the state Coastal Commission denying the project.

The July 22 letter escalates a war of words between the opponents and the supporters of the toll road, a 16-mile extension of the 241 toll road that would cut through San Onofre State Beach park, as well as through habitat for a variety of species.

Read the letter here: http://www.surfrider.org/savetrestles/files/leg_letter_to_commerce.pdf

Of course this comes after a large group of the CA Congressional Reps. (including Senator Boxer), LT Gov. Garamendi, and State Treasurer Bill Lockyer all sent letters asking that the Federal government refuse to overturn the CA Coastal Commission's decision.

Contest - Counter the TCA Lies

The TCA sent around a mailer to a lot of folks in South OC trying to drum up support for the toll road. The mailer is filled with lies about surfers trying to limit access to Trestles at the cost of traffic relief. Obviously improved coastal access is a major tenet of Surfrider's work.

Attached to the mailer is a postage-paid reply card. If you got one of these in the mail, mark up the card with your thoughts on the toll road and mail it back to the TCA!! But before you drop it in the mailbox take a picture of it and send it over to savetrestles@surfrider.org . We'll pick the most creative and send the winners a free Save Trestles t-shirt, and highlight them at www.savetrestles.org




So get busy with your markers and tell them what you think!!

Japan Knows the woes of Toll Roads on the Beach…

Check out these awesome Japanese Surfrider activists sporting the Save Trestles tee. They are standing under a toll road built directly on the beach in Japan.

Cheers to our Japanese Surfrider brethren!

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!