COUNTYWIDE : OCTC Stands Behind Report on Tollway

Despite growing opposition from homeowners, the Orange County Transportation Commission on Monday stood behind a controversial environmental impact report for the San Joaquin Hills tollway.

At the urging of Orange County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, the commission also will use Washington lobbyist James McConnell to counter the Environmental Protection Agency’s criticism of the EIR.

McConnell, who also represents the Board of Supervisors in Washington, recently told the commission that the EPA had launched a “Scud” at the tollway project and that a “Patriot” would have to be found in Washington to “shoot it down.”

McConnell said in Washington on Monday that he has not yet met with EPA officials and expects to brief the county’s congressmen first. “This is probably not something that has been on their radar scopes for a while,” he said.

The tollway’s environmental impact report will be aired at a public hearing of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency on Thursday and again on Feb. 28. County transportation commissioners, who have loaned $13 million to the tollway project, wanted to go on record supporting the document before Thursday’s hearing.

The Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others have attacked the EIR for the 17.5-mile highway as inadequate.

The EPA has cited a failure to consider alternate land-uses that would reduce the need for the highway, growth-inducing effects of the project and lack of a regional analysis of the highway’s future contribution to smog levels.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended against building the highway altogether because of its potentially disastrous impact on rare or endangered species and wetlands.

The tollway would extend the Corona del Mar Freeway from Newport Beach to San Juan Capistrano through Orange County’s scenic coastal range.

Despite mounting opposition, corridor agency officials steadfastly claim the project is necessary to relieve both current and future traffic congestion along Interstate 5 and adjacent thoroughfares. They also argue that a vast, silent majority supports the highway.

The corridor agency board is expected to certify the EIR despite the ongoing controversy. Barring successful court challenges, construction is scheduled to begin by the end of this year.