Panel rejects beach toll road

At an estimated cost of at least $875 million, the Foothill South would be the final link in Orange County's network of tollways. It would run 16 miles from Oso Parkway in Rancho Santa Margarita to Interstate 5 at Basilone Road south of San Clemente. Along the way, the route would course through the northern half of San Onofre and pass over the Trestles marine estuary, which is a nature preserve. About 320 of the park's 2,100 acres would be taken for the road.

Opponents of the road say the highway would ruin the environment.

Supporters argue it is critical to relieve overburdened I-5 in southern Orange County.

On Wednesday morning, surfing-related companies, including Billabong, Etnies, Vans, Reef and GFH Boards, bused hundreds of tollway opponents to the fairgrounds. Cars of protesters bore signs saying "Honk to Save Trestles" and "Save the Park." Many among the opponents wore blue T-shirts proclaiming "Save the Park, Stop the Tollroad."

"There are only so many state parks left, and we really should not pave over them," said Mike Matey, 40, of San Diego who frequently camps and surfs at San Onofre.

Heading inside the pavilion was Armando Esparza, secretary for Laborers' Union Local 652. He was part of a group of more than 100 union members and tollway supporters who had traveled to Del Mar from the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County.

"Maybe at the end of the day, this project will mean more jobs, but it also will help relieve congestion," Esparza said. "Look at our freeways now -- the 91 and the 710. They are all congested. People are now coming in from San Diego County to work in Orange County. That creates a bottleneck on the 5."

Just outside Wyland Hall, hundreds of people milled about in a carnival atmosphere. Booths set up by the Sierra Club, the Surfrider Foundation and other environmental groups dispensed anti-tollway literature while concessionaires sold coffee, mochas and lattes.

Inside, Rebecca Robles, a Juaneno Indian from San Clemente, and half a dozen other Native Americans sang a ceremonial song to commissioners. Afterward, Robles gave an emotional speech about Panhe, an old Indian site at San Onofre that is the Juaneno band's ancestral home.

"I encourage you, I implore you to uphold the California Coastal Act," Robles said. "Panhe is one of the remaining sites where we can enjoy our spiritual individuality. I ask you to protect this sacred site."