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BILL TO STOP SAN ONOFRE TOLL ROAD SHELVED
The San Diego Union-Tribune
April 24, 2007
By Michael Gardner
SACRAMENTO - Powerful labor and business forces formed a rare alliance Tuesday to thwart legislation that aimed to stop a toll road from being built through the popular San Onofre State Park.
Faced with certain defeat, Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, shelved his measure that would have significantly restricted road construction in all state parks.
While several parks are threatened with projects, San Onofre State Park near Camp Pendleton has been singled out as an example of the clash between the growing need for roads and shrinking open spaces for Californians.
Huffman said he "reluctantly" shelved Assembly Bill 1457 after it became clear that the opposition could not be overcome. The measure was scheduled to face its first test Tuesday in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, which had twice blocked similar bills.
Tuesday's developments in the Capitol does not mean asphalt will replace greenbelt anytime soon, however. The Orange County toll road agency must clear several significant barriers, including securing a permit from the state Coastal Commission. Officials concede construction could not start until 2011 at the earliest.
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