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Press Release

January 29, 2008

Susan Davis Toll Road Language Becomes Law

Defense bill with provision removing special exemption from state law signed

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Susan Davis’s amendment requiring a proposed toll road through a state park to follow state environmental laws became law when President Bush signed the defense authorization bill (H.R. 4986) last night.

“This has always been about maintaining the integrity of the process that we follow for proposed transportation projects in the state,” said Davis, a member of the Armed Services Committee.  “There is no reason why it should have received a special exemption from the standard process and environmental safeguards, especially when such unique natural resources are at stake.”

The proposed toll road would have a devastating impact on the unique environmental and highly utilized recreational resources at San Mateo campground and Trestles Beach.

San Onofre State Park is virtually the only publicly accessible open space remaining along the entire Southern California coast, and the campground threatened by the toll road is a very popular destination for youth groups, surfers, families, and seniors seeking convenient and affordable accommodations for coastal recreation in an undisturbed natural environment.

Further, the toll road would run directly through the San Mateo Creek watershed, the only undeveloped watershed left in Southern California.  Development of this protected area could result in major degradation of water quality in the creek and surrounding ocean waters.

Davis’s amendment repeals a federal law enacted in 2000 declaring that state law does not specifically apply to the toll road.  Her amendment was approved by the House Armed Services Committee in May after public debate.

Then after seven months of successfully navigating the legislative process and as a member of the Conference Committee, Davis was able to ensure the survival of her amendment.

In December, President Bush vetoed the original defense bill (H.R. 1585) over a separate provision the Iraqi government found objectionable.  Congress returned in 2008 and altered that language and returned it to the President with the toll road provision still in tact.

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