EDITORIAL: First park battle won

The sanctity of the state park system was held intact late Wednesday when the California Coastal Commission rejected a proposal to use a swath of protected parkland for a major toll road extension.

Under the proposal, the 214 Foothill Toll Road near Coto de Caza in eastern Orange County would be extended through open land and joined with the San Diego Freeway at the coast by running a highway along a strip of coastal parkland that abuts the Pendleton Marine Base in San Diego.

This proposal was devised after homeowners objected to a path that would have required the use of residential property in the area.

To protect homes, the state park was to be sacrificed, a bizarre and senseless tradeoff.

The fact that the paving would be next to a popular campsite adjacent to the world-famous surfing site known as Trestles brought out even more opponents as South Orange County citizens joined the fight.

Many Lagunans bused down to join throngs of surfers, environmentalists and others for a marathon single-item commission meeting held at the Del Mar fairgrounds in San Diego.

Laguna Beach Mayor Jane Egly was one of hundreds — or more likely, thousands — of speakers in opposition to the toll road extension. Supporters also showed up in droves, making it a historic meeting in terms of attendance.

Emotions ran high at the colorful meeting as unionized construction workers in red T-shirts faced off against surfers and environmentalists in blue — while the image of Ronald Reagan, who had created the park years ago, was invoked by those who argued that the park must be protected. Ironically, it was Reagan’s birthday.

Commissioners also focused on the fate of a tiny endangered rodent, the Pacific pocket mouse, who’s habitat is within the park site.

Supporters argued the toll road would bring jobs, ease traffic and encourage more development in the area at a time when the state needs an economic boost.

Southern California’s transportation issues are serious and the economy is faltering, but turning public parks into roadways is not the answer to these economic problems.

In the end, the commission voted 8-2 against the plan.

The Transportation Corridor Agency vows to appeal the state panel denial to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, so the fight over paving the parkland is not over.

Those who gave their all to this round of the battle should be heartened that they have been heard — and gird themselves for what could be a long fight.