More permits granted for Foothill South TR Calif - only US override of radicals needed

Federal and state agencies continue to grant Orange County's Transportation Corridors Agencies (TCA) remaining permits for the Foothill South 241 Toll Road. Only remaining obstacle is a US Commerce department decision needed to override a radical environmentalist dominated California Coastal Commission effort to block the southern end of the project where it joins I-5.

Though it is outside their purview the Coastal Commission voted against the tollroad on grounds such as that alternative routes had not been adequately studied and that it encouraged car use, not transit. The TCA has asked the US Commerce Secretary to set aside the commission radicals' vote.

US  snd state agencies support

The US Government can preempt state coastal regulation. Also in this case the land in question is owned by the US, and the US Marine Corps has approved its use for the highway.

This week the California Fish and Game department agreed to 63 measures to protect wildlife during construction and operation, including details of mitigation proposed by TCA. Multiples of areas impacted will be revegetated.

Earlier the US Fish and Wildlife Service issued a biological opinion that the project fully complies with the Endangered Species Act, refuting claims by the state coastal commission.

Last year the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration issued a determination that the project will not affect the steelhead trout.

BACKGROUND: The 26km (16 mile) 3+3 lane expressway standard project called Foothill South will complete the Foothill Toll Road (CA241) by extending it from a dead end in Rancho Santa Margarita along the eastern fringe of development to an interchange with I-5 on the edge of the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base. The project was developed over ten years with an exhaustive study of alternative routes and is supported by 69% of south county residents and by virtually all elected officials in the region including Governor Schwartzenegger.

The extension will provide a new quality route between San Diego and the eastern part of the Los Angeles area, and an alternative to I-5 in the southern part of Orange County. The road will also facilitate many local connections including visits to the beaches.

Cost of the $900m project will be fully recouped with tolls.

see

http://www.thetollroads.com

http://www.ftcsouth.com/home/index.asp

http://www.relievetraffic.org/support241_tollroad.htm

Governor Schwarzenegger's letter is here.

TOLLROADSnews 2008-05-15