Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 445-4633
Email: [email protected]
THIS IS THE CAT TRYING TO RUIN IT ALL:
Congressman Ken Calvert
Washington Office
2201 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-1986
Fax: (202) 225-2004
http://calvert.house.gov/ContactInformation.asp
WAVE DEGRADATION
This project would require substantial grading of the terrain and millions of yards of hard reinforcement (steel, concrete and other materials), that will alter the natural sediment flow through San Mateo Creek,, which supplies sand to the Trestles surf breaks.
According to the Transportation Corridor Agency's own engineering consultants, losses in sedimentation flow would cause substantial degradation to surfing resources, which will likely result in significant degradation to the wave quality at Lower Trestles and nearby breaks (including Uppers, Middles, Cottons and Church).
WATER QUALITY
A recent scientific report demonstrates that when over 10 percent of a watershed is paved there are significant water quality and ecosystem impacts.
Similar projects have resulted in generating significant increases of oils, heavy metals and other toxins. Given the proximity of the project to the watershed, this project would result in a decrease of water quality for Trestles and the surrounding breaks.
The TCA's assertion that they can mitigate for this run-off is dubious. The initial mitigation systems that were installed on the nearby RT73 Toll Road failed, and had to be replaced at tax-payer expense. All mitigation efforts are ineffective during large rain events.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE FROM THE TOLL ROAD
The walk in at Trestles is half the experience. The area is home to numerous native plant and animal species, including several endangered species. This area would be profoundly impacted by such a massive project essentially cutting the San Mateo Creek watershed in half.
The FTC-South will run directly through San Onofre Beach State Park. This 2028 acre park the 5th most visited park in the California State Parks system.
The San Mateo Creek Watershed is one of the last large coastal open spaces in Southern California The FTC-South will forever change this last vestige of coastal wilderness, including profound compromises to the Donna O'Neill Land Conservancy.
Contact Your Government:
The Honorable Mike Chrisman
Secretary for Resources
1416 9th Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 653-5656
Fax: (916) 653-8102 fax
Email: [email protected]
The Honorable Sunne Wright McPeak
Secretary for Business, Housing, and Transportation
980 9th Street, Suite 2450
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 323-5400
Fax: (916) 323-5440
Email: [email protected]
Assemblywoman Mimi Walters
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 4116
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 319-2073
Fax: (916) 319-2173
Commissioner Meg Caldwell
Chair, California Coastal Commission
Stanford Law School, 559 Nathan Abbott Way,
Owen House Room 6,
Stanford, CA 94305-8610
Phone: (650) 723-4057
Email: [email protected]
San Clemente City Council
100 Avenida Presidio
San Clemente, CA 92672
Phone: (949) 361-8200
Fax: (949) 361-8283
Email: [email protected]
SAMPLE LETTER TO CUT AND PASTE
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
I am outraged by your decision to dismiss Clint Eastwood and Bobby Shriver as vice chair and chair, respectively, of the California State Park and Recreation Commission. Your reported justification for terminating their appointments--– to infuse the Commission with "fresh legs"-- rings hollow. They had the courage to oppose the San Onofre toll road, which violates numerous California coastal policies and is one of the most destructive infrastructure projects in our state today. I vehemently oppose your decision to dismiss two state parks commissioners who have done exactly what they were appointed to do: weigh the facts and exercise their independent judgment in the best interest of California.
Please reverse course and join the State Park and Recreation Commission and the California Coastal Commission in opposing the toll road. I count on you as Governor to represent all Californians, just as you did when you stood up to the Bush Administration when it sought to build roads in wild national forests in California.
But all too often you have chosen to silence voices that disagree with your own--whether they are on the Coastal Commission, the Fish and Game Commission, the Air Resources Board or the Reclamation Board.
This pattern of dismissing appointees who dare to disagree with you sets a dangerous precedent. Public officials shouldn't be constrained in their performance by fear of losing their positions. Our state parks face an onslaught of threats. When it comes to protecting our natural heritage, Californians deserve to be represented by stewards like Clint Eastwood and Bobby Shriver. They were right to oppose the toll road through San Onofre, and so was the California Coastal Commission.
We need you to do the same.
Sincerely,[Your Name]
[Your Address]
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SaveTrestles.org
Surfrider Foundation