Rick writes: I was in the line up Wednesday morning and beside the fact that there was a lot of talk about the beauty of the day, there was also a lot of talk about the new proposal for the Toll Road. The concensus among the morning crew was that the Toll Road was a real problem for the future of SanO and that there really needed to be a concerted effort on the part of the surfers in the water to try and stop that project. It's pretty clear that the road will cut right through San Onofre State Park and will directly affect the eco system of the area, but it will also directly affect the quality of the water from the run off of the road. Our state beaches are already impacted in water quality, but this road can only add to that water pollution. There are many other issues, including access to the beach during and after construction. We can't just sit back idly and allow this project to go through. If you enjoy San Onofre and the surfing lifestyle, it's time that we all got serious about trying to show solidarity in opposition to the Toll Road Project. Just putting a bumper sticker on the back of your car isn't going to be enough. Let's attempt to preserve a lifestyle that will be decimated if this road is allowed to be built. — Rick

There is still time to do something positive! You can make a difference. A rough timeline: TCA plans to obtain financing: 2005-2006; Construction begins 2006-2007; Open to traffic 2008-2009.

Here are some resources for taking action. It is easy as 1,2,3:

1. Be informed:Stay on top of it: Sign up for Google news alerts on the project here. You'll get an e-mail whenever Google finds a new news story on the project. Read the latest in the LA Times: "Groups Uniting to Battle O.C. Toll Road Plans"|Highlights from the article:

"There is only one San Onofre. There is only one Trestles," said Rich Rozzelle, a superintendent in the Orange Coast District of the state Department of Parks and Recreation. "There are no replacements if they are lost. ..." To compensate for affecting San Onofre, agency officials say they will offer financial compensation to the state, build under-crossings for visitors and wildlife, and erect sound walls to reduce car noise and obscure the sight of the toll road from the San Mateo campground. ...

"In a letter to the TCA, State Parks Director Ruth Coleman says no comparable land exists to compensate the public adequately for the potential losses that could occur at San Onofre. ..." "Environmental groups and state officials who reviewed it say the TCA's environmental analysis is so poor with respect to endangered species, water quality, noise and recreational uses that the draft should be overhauled and resubmitted for public comment. ..." "Environmentalists also question the TCA's ability to treat storm water runoff. Filters on the 16-mile San Joaquin Hills tollway through western Orange County have not worked properly for years, and Caltrans has been called in to fix them. ..."

Read the TCA Draft report here.

2. Make your opposition known: Don't let our public officials hear more from the toll road agency’s lobbyists than from concerned citizens. Many agencies have a hand in the final approval of the project. Contact them and let them know that there are thousands of people who oppose the San Onofre Foothill-South toll road extension alternative. The links below help you contact the agencies.

Super Easy! Print and send a postcard to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger! The Sierra Club makes it easy. Just click here, print and mail. (It takes less than 3 minutes!)

Common Cause makes it simple to e-mail your elected officials. Click here and enter your zip code to get e-mail links to your senators and representitives.

The Transportation Corridor Agency. Jeff Bott, Community Relations Representititve, 125 Pacifica, Ste. 100, Irvine CA, 92618

Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. e-mail: execsecretariat.fhwa@fhwa.dot.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105. The EPA is responsible for clean water permits and air quality issues.

CalTrans

California Coastal Commission, Chuck Damm, Sr. Deputy Director, California Coastal Commission South Coast District, 200 Oceangate, 10th floor, Long Beach CA 90802-4416. California Department of Fish and Game, Director Ryan Broddirick, DFG Headquarters, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, California 95814.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, LA District, 915 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 980, Los Angeles, CA 90017. email: publicaffairs-spl@usace.army.mil The USACE is responsible for wetlands.

Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton Assistant Chief of Staff, Environmental Security, Marine Corps Base (Bldg 22165) Box 555008, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5008.

National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 200, Portland OR 97220-1384.

Orange County Transportation Authority, Arthur T. Leahy, 550 S. Main St.,|*|Orange, CA 92863-1584. e-mail: customers@octa.net

Southern California Association of Governments. The SCAG is involved in project Air Quality issues.

3. Join with others to protect San Onofre! Contact Friends of the Foothills/Sierra Club. e-mail: brittany.mckee@sierraclub.org