Over 2008, the Foothill Eastern Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) suffered what we hope to be the final lethal blows to its proposed alignment of the extension of the 241 Toll Road. 

On 2/6/08, the California Coastal Commission rejected the project’s consistency with the CA Coastal Act.  The TCA appealed this decision to the Federal Department of Commerce.  The Fed denied the TCA’s appeal on 12/18/08, declaring the Coastal Commission’s rejection of the road appropriate.  This sequence of decisions rendered the 241 Extension illegal under both State and Federal Laws.

Despite losses at the Coastal Commission and Dept. of Commerce, TCA initially maintained that they would extend 241 as they wished.  Now, however, it seems they may be retreating from this position.

Since Commerce’s denial of the 241 Extension, TCA has offered inconsistent messaging in forms ranging from ranting tantrums to conciliatory letters asking project opponents to come to the table and work out a feasible solution. 

Given TCA’s past conduct, we are not sure what to expect from them next, but we did receive interesting news this week:  The TCA has withdrawn their 401 Water Quality Application from the Regional Water Quality Control Board. This certification is necessary for construction of the 241 Extension through San Onofre.

This application withdrawal suggests that TCA is dismantling the procedural foundation of the 241 Toll Road Extension through San Onofre State Park and the Donna O’Neil Land Conservancy. 

Given their prior conduct, we are hesitant to claim that the TCA is actually turning their backs on a project that would decimate San Onofre State Park.  However, this application withdrawal resets one of the fundamental procedures TCA must complete before they can build through the San Mateo watershed. 

The Save San Onofre Coalition remains committed to seeing that the TCA does not build through San Onofre State Park and the Donna O’Neil Land Conservancy.  We will continue to fight any measures which mean to achieve such a road and request that the TCA publicly announce its abandonment of any project through the State Park and the Conservancy.