01-29-2008, 11:27 PM
[#005028]San Mateo Creek, one of southern California’s least developed rivers and the southern-most habitat in the state for the endangered steelhead trout, is threatened by the construction of a proposed toll road in Orange and San Diego Counties. The privately owned mega-freeway project will also harm San Onofre State Park and Beach. Write the Coastal Commission to oppose the toll road and protect San Mateo Creek and our state park![/#005028]
[url "https://secure2.convio.net/fotr/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=145"]Send a letter NOW![/url]
BACKGROUND
[#005028]The proposed Foothill-South toll road is one of the most environmentally destructive transportation projects in California history. More than four miles of the proposed freeway would be constructed along San Mateo Creek, through the San Mateo Campground and the interior of San Onofre State Park, and harm world-class surfing at San Onofre State Beach. In addition to degrading recreational opportunities, the freeway would undoubtedly pollute San Mateo Creek and drive its endangered steelhead and other sensitive wildlife species that live in the park toward extinction.[/#005028]
[#005028]Most of San Mateo Creek has been protected from the massive urbanization rampant in southern California by the existing San Mateo Wilderness, which encompasses the stream’s headwaters, and the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton. Lower San Mateo Creek, which flows through San Onofre State Park and into the Pacific Ocean at San Onofre State Beach, should also be protected. But unfortunately, our state parks are not automatically protected from freeway construction! The threat is even more real since Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (who recently proposed to close dozens of state parks to save money) threw his support behind the proposed toll road. [/#005028]
[#005028]On February 6, the California Coastal Commission will meet to determine whether the proposed toll road complies with the voter’s mandate to protect California’s coastal resources. Please email your letter TODAY urging the Coastal Commission to deny permission to construct the toll road. Letters must be sent by Feb. 5![/#005028]
[url "https://secure2.convio.net/fotr/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=145"] NOW send a letter![/url]
[signature]
[url "https://secure2.convio.net/fotr/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=145"]Send a letter NOW![/url]
BACKGROUND
[#005028]The proposed Foothill-South toll road is one of the most environmentally destructive transportation projects in California history. More than four miles of the proposed freeway would be constructed along San Mateo Creek, through the San Mateo Campground and the interior of San Onofre State Park, and harm world-class surfing at San Onofre State Beach. In addition to degrading recreational opportunities, the freeway would undoubtedly pollute San Mateo Creek and drive its endangered steelhead and other sensitive wildlife species that live in the park toward extinction.[/#005028]
[#005028]Most of San Mateo Creek has been protected from the massive urbanization rampant in southern California by the existing San Mateo Wilderness, which encompasses the stream’s headwaters, and the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton. Lower San Mateo Creek, which flows through San Onofre State Park and into the Pacific Ocean at San Onofre State Beach, should also be protected. But unfortunately, our state parks are not automatically protected from freeway construction! The threat is even more real since Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (who recently proposed to close dozens of state parks to save money) threw his support behind the proposed toll road. [/#005028]
[#005028]On February 6, the California Coastal Commission will meet to determine whether the proposed toll road complies with the voter’s mandate to protect California’s coastal resources. Please email your letter TODAY urging the Coastal Commission to deny permission to construct the toll road. Letters must be sent by Feb. 5![/#005028]
[url "https://secure2.convio.net/fotr/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=145"] NOW send a letter![/url]
[signature]