WASHINGTON, DC. February 7, 2008 – Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) was disappointed to learn of the California Coastal Commission’s decision to reject the completion of the 241 Foothill-South Toll Road.

"The California Coastal Commission has a long history of choosing environmental extremes ahead of what is best for the people of California," said Rep. Calvert. "Sadly, southern California families and commuters are the real losers in this decision and under state law they have little recourse in overcoming the objections of eight unelected Commission members. The Commission’s rejection of the toll road is similar to their rejection of building the border fence at Smuggler’s Gulch because of birds. Meanwhile, thousands of illegal immigrants, many of them smuggling drugs, pass through the Gulch to come here illegally."

The 8-2 vote to reject the road came yesterday after a long day of public testimony both for and against the toll road. Outrageously, the California Coastal Commission did not allow time for some representatives of public officials to speak. Congressman Calvert was unable to be at the hearing due to votes in Washington, D.C. but his District Director attended to read a statement in support of the project. After waiting eight hours, the Coastal Commission decided to hold the vote rather than extend the hearing to allow representatives of elected officials an opportunity to speak.

The Foothill South project is a response to a growing need for an additional north-south highway in south Orange County and to improve mobility along the corridor connecting Orange and San Diego Counties. There is little dispute about the current and future need for increased transportation capacity in south Orange County.  Local, state and federal transportation agencies have been contributing to a twenty year process to design and develop the Foothill South project.  The project has undergone 20 years of environmental review and has been subject to both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

"I will support the Transportation Corridor Agencies if they choose to appeal this illogical decision to the federal government," stated Rep. Calvert. "The Foothill-South can be built in an environmentally safe way that does not impact any of the recreational opportunities in the area. In fact, the toll road would increase access to these areas for more people to enjoy. It is apparent the California Coastal Commission has lost touch with the regular California commuter who is stuck on our freeways for hours every day."

Calvert notes that the land the park sits on does not belong to the State of California, but is owned by the federal government. In 1971, the State of California and the Department of the Navy entered into a 50-year lease that allowed for the northern-most end of Camp Pendleton to be used as a temporary state park. In the lease, both parties signed and acknowledged the right of the Navy to grant current and future transportation easements on the leased property.

While statements have been made that suggest the park was intended to exist in perpetuity, the fact remains that the existence of the park is contingent upon the terms of the lease between the state and federal government. If the land were truly intended to remain parkland in perpetuity, then the property rights attached to the land would have been conveyed to the state.

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