Nixon had it right: Leave San Onofre Beach alone

The Foothill South toll road extension proposed by the Orange County Transportation Corridor Agencies leads to a dead end.

photo: Karen Phelps A standing-room-only crowd of over 1,000 people turned out to the Nov. 3 California State Park and Recreation Commission hearing in San Clemente to oppose the 241 Foothill South toll road through San Onofre State Beach Park.

If the toll road is built, it would bisect the inland canyon of San Onofre State Beach and create a highway within 400 feet of the San Mateo campground. The California Department of Parks and Recreation has stated that if the road is built, it will have no choice but to largely abandon the park, as its environmental and biological value will be destroyed. This would set a dangerous precedent for the entire state.

Preservation of San Onofre was proposed by President Richard Nixon. In 1970, he began to explore the possibility of creating a state park, aided by Congressman Alphonzo Bell, Senator George Murphy, and then-governor Ronald Reagan.

'We must leave a legacy that goes beyond good housing, vital industries, and strong defense,' said Nixon. 'We must also provide an endowment of parklands and recreational areas that will enrich [citizens'] leisure opportunities and make the beauties of the earth and sea more accessible to them.' He commented on the beauty of the beach and inland areas, suggested that the state develop camping sites in the uplands, and observed that he hoped the 'environmentalists get busy, so they [10 million people within an hour of the park] don't clutter [the park] up.'

When the park opened in April 1971, Governor Reagan characterized the dedication as 'the culmination of many months of dedicated effort by many people to enhance and preserve California's grandeur and beauty. I firmly believe one of the greatest legacies we can leave to future generations is the heritage of our land, but unless we can preserve and protect the unspoiled areas which God has given us, we will have nothing to leave them.'

San Onofre protects endangered species and provides camping, hiking, and open space in one of the most heavily populated areas of the state. It cannot be replaced. The Transportation Corridor Agencies have not sufficiently explained the need for a new toll road in this area. They have not adequately explored other alternatives and have not yet shown the public how the toll road will be financially successful. One need only look at the impending bankruptcy of the Highway 73 toll road to understand the dangers of this sort of poor planning. The agencies are willing to destroy one of the few remaining peaceful refuges available for all citizens on the basis of flawed information and analysis.

The Transportation Corridor Agencies need to fully and honestly consider alternatives to the toll road, including modifications to the Interstate 5 corridor, before moving forward. Initial studies show that there are viable alternatives that beg to be assessed in a meaningful and complete way.

Sara Feldman is director of the Southern California State Parks Foundation.