California Coastal Commission - Where Infrastructure and the Surf Meet

The California Coastal Commission was forced to move its regular meeting to a 1,800-seat venue at the Del Mar Fairgrounds just to accommodate the huge crowd that was expected for its Feb. 6 meeting. And it was a huge crowd to say the least.

At a hearing that lasted more than 12 hours, California Coastal Commissioners ultimately voted that a proposal to build a toll road through San Onofre State Park be rejected. However, the vote is only the first of several that will be necessary before construction actually commences - if it does at all.

The source of contentious debate, however, is between the environmentalists and those that are in support of the infrastructure project. Environmentalists are arguing that the 16 miles of proposed tollway (that would offer commuters an alternative to Interstate 5) would cut through a national park, damage the ecosystem and put several endangered species at risk.

While the environmentalists had an obvious argument, the question that will continue to unfold (since the commissioners' votes will not be the end of this matter; it's merely the start) is not so much an issue of saving precious habitats versus eliminating traffic congestion.

It's moreso boiling down to an issue of the state's expanding need to improve the infrastructure. Not only are we at a point in time in California where we are facing an ailing infrastructure (not only for commuters) but for importers and exporters (the ports), but we are looking at how thinking green fits into these changes as well. Do we want to spend more money on freeway improvement and other items that will cater to more car culture, or are we going in the direction of more public transit?

Aside from these issues, we are also facing the decision of how much of these improvements will cut into so-called preserves and the arguments are just flying past each other.

Environmentalists are arguing on a more emotional level. We can't kill endangered animals and we certainly shouldn't take their homes. In addition, we should respect our national parks as treasures.

On the other hand are those who are advocating for the toll road who say if the road doesn't go in, Interstate 5 will have to be expanded which would call for the demolition of homes and businesses bordering along that expansion (through eminent domain no doubt).

So, how do we weigh one group over another? Is that even possible and if we don't build the toll road and don't expand the 5 freeway, what is the alternative?

The Transportation Corridor Agency, which runs the toll roads in Orange County said that it may appeal to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce over the decision. It just seems as though a lot more fighting and protesting and name calling is about to ensue and no one is thinking logically anymore about a real solution other than to just be either the "winner" or the "loser" in this battle.