1. friend to friend
ing
FROM TRESTLES TO SADDLEBACK—PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY—STOP ThE TOLL ROAD SOUTh
ear
A Project of Sierra Club
a al h nced…
ppe nou
n
te a July 25
th
da
Fri day, but the TCA is changing their strategy in
their appeal to the federal government.
First they claimed their road would
relieve congestion on I-5 and now they
Earlier this year Sierra Club, Surfrider
and environmental groups from
are saying it's a matter of national
all over the state won a decisive
security! Thanks to all of you who have
victory at the California Coastal
written Secretary Gutierrez urging him
Commission hearing in Del Mar, CA.
to grant a Federal Hearing in Southern
Over 3,000 surfers, campers, hikers, bikers California.
and environmentalists came out to urge the We need to turn out at least as many
Coastal Commission to save California’s people at this Federal Hearing as we did
fifth most popular state park. In an 8-2 vote at the Coastal Commission hearing in Del
the Coastal Commission voted to uphold Mar earlier this year. If we don’t we could
the Coastal Act and keep a six-lane pay-to-drive road out of San lose nearly 60% of the park, including the
Onofre State Beach. San Mateo Campground, and destroy the last pristine watershed
However, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) in Southern California and one of the greatest surf breaks in
have appealed, asking the Federal Government to overturn Northern America. Also at stake is a Native American Sacred Site
the Commission's decision. The United States Secretary of and the Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy.
Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, will oversee the appeal. In a There is no time to lose! Sierra Club’s Friends of the Foothills
shocking testament to TCA’s consistent and repeated failure Campaign is gearing up for a busy summer. In continuation of our
to address the public’s concerns regarding this toll road, they efforts to save Trestles, the San Mateo Campground and San
have urged the Department of Commerce to deny the public Onofre State Beach from a destructive toll road, we are taking
an opportunity to participate in a hearing on the appeal. But our fight to Washington D.C.! Help spread the word about the
Secretary Gutierrez has announced he will allow and host a upcoming hearing to people who we know care about San Onofre
public hearing in Southern California on Friday, July 25th at State Beach. To learn how you can help contact Robin Everett at
the UCI Bren Center in Irvine CA. robin.everett@sierraclub.org or call 949-361-7534.
We need to keep the pressure on the Bush Administration.
We all know what our reasons for stopping the toll road are,
Mark your calendar
for Friday, July 25th to attend
the most important hearing the toll road
fight has faced yet—it can seal the fate of our
fight to STOP the Foothill-South Toll Road.

2. In a time of declining ridership
and revenue, why is the TCA
looking to take on more debt?
w ith gas prices at well over four dollars a gallon, Orange
County toll roads are feeling the pinch. A recent Los Angeles Times
date, 20th century, supposed traffic solution?
In a recent traffic study done by the OCTA, transportation
article reported that ridership on the 241 toll road is down 4% plans proposed to address traffic problems 20 years in the future
and if the trend continues the Transportation Corridor Agencies still contain the Foothill-South Toll Road, and the OCTA board
(TCA) will miss their projected budget by 8%. The declines have refuses to look at alternatives that consider a future without the
been attributed to higher gas prices and the economic downturn. toll road extension. In fact, OCTA is even considering subsidizing
That leaves many of us saying, “In a time of declining ridership the toll roads with what they call a “shadow toll” in order to get more
and revenue, why is the TCA looking to take on more debt?” The people on the toll roads. Shadows tolls would take funds from other
Foothill-South Toll Road would cost an estimated $1.3 billion sources to subsidize the true price a driver would pay on the toll road.
that is almost a 50% increase from the originally proposed Where will the funds come from to lower the toll road rates? OCTA
figure of $875 million. On top of that, the TCA is seeking over does not know, but you can bet it will come from our pockets not the
a billion dollars in federal loans to help facilitate its merger of the TCA’s!
241 and 73 toll roads. If the TCA cannot meet their budget when gas is $4 a gallon,
With the proposed toll road extension prices escalating what will they do when it is $8 a gallon? Now is the time to get real,
and revenue plummeting why is the TCA and Orange County and start facing Orange County's traffic problems realistically, and
Transportation Authority (OCTA) pushing forward with an out-of- stop burying our heads in the sand.
Fish and wildlife Service grants permits to TCA
i n the last two weeks the Transportation Corridor Agencies
(TCA) received two permits from the Fish and Wildlife
major adverse impacts. Indeed, they recommend that the TCA find
alternative alignments outside of San Onofre State Beach.
Service and the Department of Fish and Game. Once again In the end, though, we know this fight is about not only
the agencies charged to protect our environment have refused to the pocket mouse, the arroyo toad and the steelhead trout; it
acknowledge the effects that out-of-control is about the endangered species of hikers,
development and infrastructure projects campers, and surfers! 2.5 million people
we know this fight is visit San Onofre State Beach every year,
have upon our fragile environment.
Through the years the Fish and Wildlife about not only the pocket and it is one of the few places left were
Service has repeatedly failed to properly mouse, the arroyo toad working families can affordably vacation on
determine when a species is in trouble, California's coastline. This fight is about
and the steelhead trout; endangered species, yes, but it is also
and has been corrected by the courts, most
recently in the Delta Smelt Case. it is about the endan- about the San Mateo Campground, the
We disagree with many of the findings gered species of hikers, pristine San Mateo Watershed, the world-
in the Fish and Wildlife Service's biological famous Trestles Beach, the Donna O'Neill
campers, and surfers!
opinion regarding the impact the Foothill- Land Conservancy, and the Sacred Site of
South Toll Road would have on threatened Panhe.
and endangered species. Though the opinions of these agencies do not affect the Coastal
The Fish and Wildlife Service itself admits, even if all Commission decision it does highlight the importance of making
these species are not pushed to extinction, there are still our voice heard at the Commerce hearing this summer!

3. California leaders Urge U.S. Commerce
Department to Uphold Coastal Act
o
letter t
s from a
Excerpt Secreta
ry
mmerce
U.S. Co Califor
nia
z from
Gutierre ill Lock
yer:
rea surer, B
State T
“My public record makes clear I do not oppose California's growth. As a State Treasurer and as a Californian who loves my state, I
understand the importance of finding an appropriate balance between the competing demands of providing an infrastructure that meets
the needs of our growing state and protecting the natural resources we cherish. The TCA proposal, however, does not balance these
competing interests. It simply paves over one interest to satisfy the other.”
to
etter
fro m a l Secretary i,
rpts rce mend
Exce . Comme ohn Gara or;
U.S from
J vern
nt Go ident
Gut ierrez Lieutena res
rnia tor P air,
C alifo rata, Sena inberg, Ch
Pe ll S
te
Don
em; Darre e Natural e.
Pro T Sena
t
ommit
te legated to it by
the authority de
ces C acted in accordance with action would vi
olate the
R esour Coa stal Commission ta l Commission’s
rtification, the ride of the Cos
consistency ce blic. Your over rnia Coastal Act
.”
ject the TCA’s sibility to the pu
“In voting to re its legal respon ct and the Califo
ithfu lly executed al Zone Management A were taken by
a local
Congress and fa e Federal Coast rnia park lands tion and
spirit of both th e in history that
Califo
ples of preserva
substance and ld be the first tim mock the foundational princi
it wou
d constructed, would
be approved an ch an intrusion
“If this project were to or infrastruct ure project. Su
entity for a maj .” nal security.
governmental ic park system quired by natio
derlying C alifornia’s publ that the Toll Road is re portant Marine
Corps
stewardship un ould be to find ndleton, the im
si on’s decision w ay th rough Camp Pe them.
ing the Commis ilding a highw an to promote
basis for overrid need. Indeed, bu tary training th
…the only remaining such a na tional security and se curity and mili
no showing of dermine homel
There has been ore likely to un
on the W est Coast, is m
Training Base
er to
tates
Exce rpts fro
m a lett ary
Secret
ommerce san Davis, Congress of the United S
0515
U.S. C
ierrez f
rom Su
ess;
Washington, DC 2
Gut of Cong
r
Member ator,
xer, U .S. Sen ress. cy…
Bo ong natives…Consistan
Barbara ers of C ur decision…Alter
er memb are required to base yo
and 26 o
th teria on which you
tisfy any of the cri
the TCA can sa
“We do not believe l security. Howeve
r,
National Security…
” the basis or nationa
tal Comm ission's decision on litary readiness.”
the California Coas we know about mi
u to act to override onsistent with what
“The TCA ha s already asked yo proved by virtue of this toll road is inc
tional security is im
the assertion that na
To read the letters in entirety, please visit http://taskforce.sierraclub.org/friendsofthefoothills/

4. “On Friday, July 25th, show the U.S. Commerce
Department we DOn'T wAnT The TOll ROAD!”
by steve netherby
i f you missed the February 6th Coastal Commission toll road
hearing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, someone surely told you,
“You shoulda been there!”
More than 3,000 of us packed the hall, along with bus
loads of orange-shirted union pro-roaders and tailored toll road
execs. Signs, surfboards, and shirts read, “Arnold Don’t Surf,”
“Terminate the Toll Road,” and “Save the Park, Stop the Toll
Road.” One girl was dressed as an endangered tidewater goby;
another came as Sally the Steelhead.
Moms and dads with kids came to save San Onofre State
Park, Trestles, and the Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Adults
skipped work, kids skipped school and surfers skipped the beach
to participate.
The Commissioners’ eight-to-two vote against the toll
road signaled one of the great environmental victories in recent California history. Cheers rose, tears flowed, smiles and hugs
abounded. It was a sweet end to a banner day for the democratic process.
However, this important victory is now in jeopardy. On Friday, July 25th at the UCI Bren Center in Irvine C.A., the Secretary
of Commerce will hold a hearing to decide whether to uphold or overturn the Coastal Commission’s historic decision. We need to
show the Secretary of Commerce that our park and beach is too precious to lose for a pay-to-drive road. If you missed the last hearing or
simply want to relive the excitement all over again, please attend the upcoming Commerce Department hearing and help drive the
final nail into the Foothill-South coffin.
www.friendsofthefoothills.org
San Clemente, California 92674
P.O. Box 3942
A Project of Sierra Club
STOP ThE TOLL ROAD SOUTh
—PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY—
FROM TRESTLES TO SADDLEBACK
25 th …
ly nced
Ju nou
e an earing
dat al h
Permit No. 50
Walnut, CA
PAID
U.S. Postage
appe
by U.S. Secretary of Commerce
PRSRT STD TCA's Appeal hearing is granted

5. hikes
join us for a scenic hike and see for yourself
what is threatened by the toll road
Saturday, July 26 Saturday, September 13
SIERRA SAgE/FRIENDS OF ThE FOOThILLS SIERRA SAgE/FRIENDS OF ThE FOOThILLS
trestles beach trestles beach
Enjoy this walk to the famous surfing beach at Trestles and the Enjoy this walk to the famous surfing beach at Trestles and the
extensive wetlands area through which San Mateo Creek flows. extensive wetlands area through which San Mateo Creek flows.
We will discuss the ecological importance of the surrounding area We will discuss the ecological importance of the surrounding area
and the damage that the proposed Foothill-South Toll Road would and the damage that the proposed Foothill-South Toll Road would
do to the state beach. Meet 8:30 am Trestles Surfers’ parking lot. do to the state beach. Meet 8:30 am Trestles Surfers’ parking lot.
3 mi rt., 100’ gain. Bring water. Rain cancels. Leader: Robin 3 mi rt., 100’ gain. Bring water. Rain cancels. Leader: Robin
Everett, Assistant: Paul Carlton. Everett, Assistant: Duana Miller.
Saturday, August 17 Saturday, October 18
SIERRA SAgE/FRIENDS OF ThE FOOThILLS SIERRA SAgE/FRIENDS OF ThE FOOThILLS/INNER CITY OUTINgS
trestles beach donna o’neill land conservancy
Enjoy this walk to the famous surfing beach at Trestles and the Enjoy the beautiful natural scenery on this slow-paced nearly level
extensive wetlands area through which San Mateo Creek flows. walk. We will discuss the ecological importance of the DOLC and
We will discuss the ecological importance of the surrounding area the surrounding area and the damage the Foothill-South Toll Road
and the damage that the proposed Foothill-South Toll Road would would bring to the Conservancy and watershed. Meet at 8:30 am
do to the state beach. Meet 8:30 am Trestles Surfers’ parking lot. at the SOC rideshare pt. (Ortega Business Center, on Ortega Hwy.,
3 mi rt., 100’ gain. Bring water. Rain cancels. Leader: Robin 2 blks. E of I-5). Conservancy donation of $10 to support the work
Everett, Assistant: Duana Miller. of the DOLC is appreciated. 3 mi. rt. Bring water. Rain cancels.
Leader: Robin Everett, Assistant: Paul Carlton.
South Orange County (SOC) hikes rideshare meeting point:
Ortega Business Center parking lot, Southeast corner, at the
intersection of Ortega Highway and Rancho Viejo Road
in San Juan Capistrano.
Important Information for all hikes:
Always bring water; sturdy, comfortable shoes;
and a hat. Wear sunscreen. Rain Cancels.
For more information or directions call Robin Everett at robin.everett@sierraclub.org or call (949) 361-7534

6. get involved–
volunteer!
Help Sierra Club’s Friends of the Foothills protect San Onofre State Beach, San Mateo
Campground and the world-famous Trestles Beach from the destructive Foothill-South
Toll Road. By donating as little as a couple hours a month you can really make a
difference! Our volunteers often tell us that they enjoy meeting new people and doing
something positive for their community.
To find out more about volunteer opportunities contact Sierra Club Friends of the
Foothills campaign organizer Robin Everett at robin.everett@sierraclub.org or call
949-361-7534.
We have a variety of committees that need your help:
• Tabling Committee: We set up informational tables at Trestles Beach and local
fairs, festivals, and surf contests. By donating just a couple hours you can help us
spread the word of the upcoming Commerce hearing.
• Events Committee: Work with others to help organize our events and make
sure they run smoothly.
• Newsletter Committee: Write articles for our campaign newsletter, donate
photographs or original art.
• Website Committee: Help us keep our Friends of the Foothills website up-to-
date and accurate.
• Hikes Committee: Have an idea for a local hike or other outdoor activity to
help the public learn about our great wild places? Want to train to be a docent? Want
to become a trained hike leader? Our experienced Sierra Club volunteers can help
you make it a reality.
• Public Officials Liaison Committee: Join other local residents and learn
how to meet and talk with public officials about the critical issues confronting our
area.
• Publicity Committee: Help publicize Friends of the Foothills and Sierra Club
events.
• Speakers Bureau: We need speakers to address community groups about the
challenges and opportunities Orange County confronts in protecting its environment
and quality of life.