 |
2015 Alert #2 |
 |
 |
|
Please Write to the Water Board to Stop the Foothill Tollroad
Background The Foothill tollroad would run through some of Southern California’s most intact habitat lands in Orange and San Diego Counties and literally bisect San Onofre State Beach. The California Coastal Commission and the U.S. Department Commerce turned it down, citing the availability of alternatives. Even so, the Transportation Corridor Agency came up with the strategy of first constructing the northern segment – called the Tesoro Extension – and thus creating pressure for completion. When asked for a water quality permit, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board saw through this ruse, and refused to issue a permit for Tesoro until such time as the entirety of the project was before them. Upon appeal, the State Water Board affirmed the legal basis for that denial. Now, the Regional Board needs to make “findings” to finalize its decision. The Regional Board will hold a hearing on March 16, 2015. Action Requested While we hope that the Regional Board will adopt the findings recommended by staff, it could also reverse course if it chooses. Please write to the Regional Board asking that it adopt the staff recommendation. Comments are due February 18, 2015 before 2 PM, and public input is important. Instructions and a sample letter are below, to which a personal statement can be added. EHL will be at the March 16 hearing near downtown San Diego, and if you can also attend, please reply to this message. Email Address: <RB9_DredgeFill@waterboards. Subject line: Comment – Tentative Resolution No. R9-2015-0022, Place ID: 785677 SAMPLE LETTER ***************************** Darren Bradford Dear Chair and Members of the Board: As a concerned citizen, I ask you to adopt the staff-recommended findings for denial of the Tesoro Extension. These findings properly reflect the law and the necessity to understand the totality of the Foothill tollroad’s impacts to water quality prior to allowing construction to begin. Thank you for considering my views. Sincerely, ***************************** Thank you for helping save parks and wildlands, and please pass along.
|
