Audubon California and its partners in the Save San Onofre Coalition are celebrating the end of a 15-year fight over a proposed tollroad extension through critical bird habitat in southern Orange County. Toll road agency officials joined with environmental groups, state officials and others last week to announce a settlement that will not allow any proposed Foothill-South Toll Road alignment in southern Orange County and northern San Diego County in these sensitive areas.

The proposed tollroad extension would have cut directly through critical coastal sage scrub habitat in San Onofre State Beach and other nearby areas. It would also have had a substantial impact on park usage and the world-famous Trestles surfing beach.

“This was one of the biggest wins for Southern California wildlife and habitat conservation, as well as the people of California, in decades ,” said Pete DeSimone, who manages the nearby Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary.

The agreement allows the Transportation Corridor Agency to pursue alternative projects in the area that do not threaten sensitive lands and cultural resources within the San Mateo Creek watershed, including San Onofre State Beach and the Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy.

This agreement resolves all outstanding litigation arising out of the TCA's Foothill-South and Tesoro Extension plans to extend the 241 toll road in southern Orange County. Those plans were opposed by the Save San Onofre Coalition, the Attorney General and various state agencies because they would have significantly damaged environmental and cultural resources in San Onofre State Beach, the Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy and other open space lands.

In 2008, the California Coastal Commission and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce found that the proposed Foothill-South alignment was inconsistent with state and federal coastal protection policies.

San Onofre State Beach, established in 1971 by then-Governor Ronald Reagan, is one of California's most popular state parks, receiving more than 2.4 million visitors per year and providing habitat for 11 endangered or threatened species. San Onofre also offers low-cost recreational opportunities for working families and boasts a world-renowned surf spot at Trestles Beach.

Audubon California is one member of the Save San Onofre Coalition. Other organizations include California Coastal Protection Network, California State Parks Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Endangered Habitats League, Laguna Greenbelt, Inc., Natural Resources Defense Council, Orange County Coastkeeper, Sea and Sage Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation and WiLDCOAST/COSTASALVAjE.