O.C. toll road hearing draws thousands

Several thousand people turned out today for a California Coastal Commission hearing that will decide whether to approve a six-lane tollway through San Onofre State Beach, a popular preserve known for its ocean setting and famous surf spots.

Commission officials estimated that about 3,000 people--both toll road supporters and opponents--had filled Wyland Hall, a large pavilion at the Del Mar Fairgrounds that had been set aside for the toll road hearing.
They sat in rows of chairs and banks of bleachers at the back of the hall to hear what could turn into a daylong discussion about the Foothill South project.

"This is the largest turnout we have ever had," said Sarah Christie, the commission's legislative director.

Estimated to cost at least $875 million, the Foothill South would run 16-miles from Oso Parkway in Rancho Santa Margarita to I-5 at Basilone Road south of San Clemente. The highway would course through the northern half of San Onofre and pass over the Trestles marine estuary, which is a nature preserve. About 320 of the park's 2,100 acres would be taken for the road.

The controversy has generated intense public interest across the state. Local governments in Southern California have voted to support or oppose the highway. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed the project in January and other high-ranking state officials have taken positions on the road.

Before the hearing even began this morning„ such surfing-related companies, as Billabong, Etnies, Vans, Reef, and GFH Boards bused hundreds of tollway opponents to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Cars of protesters bore painted signs that read, "Honk to Save Trestles," and "Save the Park."

Popular among the opposition were blue T-shirts that stated "Save the Park, Stop the Tollroad."

"There are only so many state parks left and we really should not pave over them," said Mike Matey, 40, of San Diego, who frequently camps and surfs at San Onofre. "I can't trust what the TCA says about the impacts of the highway on our coast."

Just outside Wyland Hall there was a carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of people milled about, sometimes shoulder to shoulder. Booths set up by the Sierra Club, the Surfrider Foundation and other environmental groups dispensed anti-tollroad literature while concessionaires sold hot dogs, burgers, coffee, mochas and lattes.

Heading inside the pavilion was Armando Esparza, secretary for Laborers' Union Local 652, which is affiliated with the Southern California District Council of Laborers. He was part of a group of more than 100 union members and tollway supporters from Orange County, the Inland Empire, and Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

"Maybe at the end of the day, this project will mean more jobs, but it also will help relieve congestion," Esparza said. "Look at our freeways now--the 91 and the 710. They are all congested. People are now coming in from San Diego County to work in Orange County. That creates a bottleneck on the 5."