SURFRIDER FOUNDATION NEWS
Source: Surfrider Foundation -www.surfrider.org-

VICTORY FOR TRESTLES!
Secretary of Commerce Upholds Coastal Commission Decision

Press release sent on December 18, 2008
The Department of Commerce announced today that it would uphold the California Coastal Commission’s ruling that found the TCA’s proposed extension of the 241 Toll Road inconsistent with the California Coastal Act. In a release issued from the Department of Commerce, they “determined that there is at least one reasonable alternative to the project [and] that the project is not necessary in the interest of national security.”

“We are elated that the Secretary of Commerce chose to uphold the California Coastal Commission’s ruling against the planned extension to the SR-241 toll road,” says Surfrider Foundation’s Assistant Environmental Director Mark Rauscher. “This decision is a significant milestone in our efforts to protect San Onofre State Beach Park and the surrounding environment; and underscores the effectiveness of grassroots activism.”

While this is a major victory for the Surfrider Foundation and its coalition members, the fight to build the toll road is not over. Toll road opponents need to continue writing letters and communicating with their local elected officials to convey pleasure with the results and support the Department of Commerce’s decision.

“This victory would not have been possible if it was not for the activists who showed up by the thousands at the California Coastal Commission and Department of Commerce hearings,” continues Rauscher. “Should the TCA decide to appeal the decision, the Surfrider Foundation and its coalition partners are ready to fight that battle as well.”

The Surfrider Foundation now calls upon the TCA and other state and local officials to embrace alternative transportation strategies that will better address the county’s traffic issues without jeopardizing our environmental, recreational and economic resources.

Bush Designates Three New Marine National Monuments
Just two weeks before leaving office, Bush has designated three areas of the Pacific Ocean as national monuments. Two of the areas include the relatively secluded Line Islands and the third area surrounds the northern Marianas chain and the Mariana Trench (the deepest ocean canyon in the world). The designated areas will span 195,280 square miles.
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About International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

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