IB Says Yes to Trestles

IMPERIAL BEACH SAYS YES TO TRESTLES AND NO TO TOLL ROAD

Imperial Beach, March 2. Last night, the City of Imperial Beach City Council voted to send a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California Attorney General Bill Locklyer opposing the proposed TCA toll road that would destroy San Onofre State Park and damage Trestles. Imperial Beach, the most southern beach town in California, joins a growing list of California cities that have signed on to the Save Trestles Campaign.

“This is an small but important victory in building a state-wide coalition that includes surfers, families, environmental organizations, cities, and the surf industry throughout California who value Trestles and San Onofre State Beach,” said Ben McCue of WiLDCOAST, an organization based in Imperial Beach.

WiLDCOAST joined the Friends of the Foothills and the Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter in mobilizing support for the Imperial Beach resolution. Alan Honadle, Chairman of the San Diego Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, thanked the City Council for supporting the Save Trestles campaign, reiterating that San Onofre State Park is a priceless resource for tens of thousands of Californians. Honadle also mentioned that Trestles is the only surf break in the mainland United States to host a World Championship Tour (WCT) contest, which showcases the highest level of surfing in the world.

At the meeting, Mayor Diane Rose, a longtime supporter of protecting surf breaks, commented on the positive emails supporting saving Trestles she received. The Mayor also poignantly reflected on her family’s tradition of annual camping trips to San Onofre State Beach. Council members Patricia McCoy (a former member of the California Coastal Commission), Mayda Winter, and Fred McClean (a former State of California Lifeguard) all spoke passionately about the need to defend a park that according to Winter, “Belongs to all Californians.”

The City of Imperial Beach support of the Save Trestles campaign is a critical part of the greater fight to defend California’s park system from development. As Imperial Beach resident Michel Dedina (a proud father and grandfather of surfers) asked rhetorically, “If we don’t stand up to defend San Onofre, who will stand up for us when our parks are threatened?”

Save Trestles info: www.savetrestles.org
Save Trestles videos: www.wildcoast.net
CONTACT:
FAY CREVOSHAY
WILDCOAST
619.309-5445
FCREVOSHAY@WILDCOAST.NET