All things considered, Trestles is Saved! On December 18 2008, the Department of Commerce announced that it would uphold the California Coastal Commission’s decision. The egregious project to build a toll road through San Onofre State Beach is officially illegal under both state and Federal law. In a release issued from the Department of Commerce, they “determined that there is at least one reasonable alternative to the project and that the project is not necessary in the interest of national security”.

For several years, the Surfrider Foundation has been working with a large coalition of environmentalists to stop this horrible road. While it took numerous years of hard work, the project is currently dead. Surfrider was a major force within the coalition and had enormous grassroots support. Toll road developers recently issued a press release saying they are reevaluating their plans, and are reaching out to stakeholders to find common ground.

What’s Next for Trestles?

Hopefully nothing! Toll road developers say they do not plan to appeal/sue the Federal Government’s decision. Regardless, the Surfrider Foundation will continue to monitor the Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) to ensure the project remains dead. Surfrider is calling upon the TCA and Orange County elected officials to embrace alternative transportation strategies that will better address the county’s traffic issues without jeopardizing our environmental, recreational and economic resources.

Thanks to You!

This victory would not have been possible if it was not for the activists who showed up by the thousands at the California Coastal Commission and Secretary of Commerce hearings or wrote letters to voice their opposition to the toll road.

Without a doubt, this victory belongs to all the dedicated individuals who have followed this campaign for several years. The ruling proves decision-makers listen when thousands of people speak out against ill-conceived projects.