Countywide : Judge Rejects Effort to Halt Tollway Work
An Orange County Superior Court judge Wednesday denied a coalition’s request to halt the destruction of century-old oak trees in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, where construction is underway for the San Joaquin Hills toll road.
The Canyon Coalition, represented in court by Laguna Beach resident Elizabeth Leeds, sought an injunction against the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency, alleging that the agency violated local, state and federal mandates, including a federal rule that protects parklands from being bisected by roads.
Leeds also contended that the transportation agency is violating the South Coast Regional Water Quality Board permit guidelines, which do not allow silt or mud to be discharged downstream in natural creeks or the Pacific Ocean.
Judge Leonard Goldstein held a hearing in his chambers with the parties involved and later announced his decision not to grant the temporary restraining order because of a procedural oversight by the Canyon Coalition.
The judge sided with the transportation agency, which contended that the coalition did not follow proper legal procedures for filing its challenge.
Canyon Coalition intends to refile the injunction request next week, Leeds said.
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