Save Trestles Rally!!!!The Coastal Commission Votes No on the Extension!

Februaryr 7th, 2008

Del Mar, California

There was a huge turnout on Wednesday February 6th at the Del Mar Racetrack in support of Surfrider Foundation and the Save Trestles Campaign. Surfrider anticipated 1,000 supporters to attend, and well, that number was blown out of the water. The crowd was estimated at over 3,000 supporters who showed up with t-shirts, posters, handbills and anything they could write “Save Trestles State Park” on. Body Glove was there as well to offer our support to the beach and watershed area that was home to the Body Glove Surfbout for 15 years and a favorite surf spot to many.

Surfrider Foundation organized this massive event that drew people and media from all over Southern California. Surfrider and many of our fellow companies in the surf industry bussed in people from the nearby cities. The few TCA (Transportation Corridor Agencies) work crew members in orange t-shirts who were carrying “Yes to the Toll Road” signs were being PAID $27.50 PER HOUR TO ATTEND while the The Save Trestles supporters were took their time off work to vocalize their support. But one look at the “Yes to the Toll Road” petition tent tells the whole story. There was absolutely no one looking to sign that petition.

It was a long day and night full of speakers and concerned Southern California residents. The California Coastal Commission debated on whether the proposed extension to the SR-241 toll road is consistent with the California Coastal Act and can build through a state park and the San Mateo Watershed area. TCA had to prove that there is no other viable solution and they have done everything in their power to mitigate any harmful effects.

After a 14 hour long meeting the California Coastal Commission voted 8 to 2 NO on the CA 241 Toll Road Extension. Body Glove is so proud of SoCal, The Coastal Commission, Surfrider. The Sierra Club and the entire surf industry right now for mobilizing this effort. The fight is still not over but we are moving in the right direction.