Foothill South: The Road to Ruin

* It’s admirable that state Sen. Joseph Dunn wants to protect San Onofre State Park--location of Trestles beach--from the proposed Foothill South toll road (Letters, Aug. 1).

But his proposed solution--an alternative route--ignores the incredible damage that the $1-billion toll road would do to the rest of south Orange County.

The Foothill South toll road is a developers’ dream that will funnel urban sprawl into a vast amount of Orange County’s open space.

Urban sprawl will result in congested local streets, polluted streams and surf and less open space. If the Foothill South is built, South County will be a worse place to live.

Rather than tinker with routes, Orange County’s political leadership should press for a credible review of transportation alternatives that will ensure that all of South County remains a great place to live, work and play.

BILL CORCORAN

Public Lands

Conservation Coordinator

Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club

* It has been heartening to see the attention given to the endangered tidewater goby, steelhead trout and gnatcatcher (Aug. 7).

All three, plus several more endangered species, live in the path of the proposed Foothill South toll road.

The Transportation Corridor Agencies’ spokesperson, Lisa Telles, remains not bothered by these little creatures’ threat to the toll road’s construction.

Her language includes words like “mitigate,” “accommodate” and “compensate.” Don’t these words imply damage already done?

Words like “prevent” and “protect” might make more sense! The tidewater goby population was nearly destroyed in San Mateo Creek because of repairs to a train trestle.

How does the TCA think it can construct a major road without further harming the habitat of these endangered species?

JULIA DEWEES

San Clemente