Those that are in favor of the toll road estimate that by the year 2010, the Foothill Corridor is projected to relieve Interstate 5 of 35,000 cars per day, Interstate 405 of 22,000, PCH of 13,000 and Moulton Parkway of 20,000. It is estimated that the corridor will carry 170,000 vehicle trips per day. The 15 miles of roadway will require 24 million cubic yards of earthwork and 1.1 million tons of asphalt paving. The Foothill Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) has designed a plan with the greatest transportation benefits and the least environmental impacts. The mitigation of biological impacts includes 4 wildlife undercrossings, the creation of over 26.7 acres of wetlands and planting or enhancing 262 acres of the coastal sage scrub habitat.
Environmentalists oppose the development of this because of the wildlife that will be endangered and threatened, primarily the California Gnatcatcher. Species that will be endangered include the Pacific pocket mouse, Arroyo southwestern toad, Tidewater goby, Southwestern willow flycatcher, least Bell's vireo and the Riverside fairy shrimp. Those animals that will be threatened consist of the California red-legged frog and the southern steelhead trout (which will no longer have viable habitat in that area).
The route would cut through the canyon area that is the home to the "core" population of the California gnatcatcher. The Fish and Wildlife officials estimate that 35 pairs of the birds, which are listed as an endangered species, would be disrupted or displaced by the road and effects of the noise created by construction. There are about 100 pairs of these birds occupying the canyon area and it is from this "core" that the gnatcatchers produce new birds to surrounding areas. The coastal sage scrub, home to the gnatcatcher, will be destroyed and replanted in the new preservation site and will consequently have a dramatic impact on the existance of the gnatcatcher. This disturbance of the habitat will not only have lasting effects on the gnatcatcher but on other species as well.
The future of the Pacific pocket mouse is in great danger if the proposed toll road design is to exist as is without drastic modifications. The road is to be in a manner that will isolate the mice on top of a hill and cut them off from the San Mateo watershed. This in effect will cause the mice to live in a environment which has a toll road on one side and a cluster of homes on the other. The predation of the house cats, raccoons and other locals of residential neighborhoods, in combination with the toll road, make the future of the mice rather bleak, in hiding from the jaws of a predator or the treads of a Goodyear Tire.
The San Mateo Tidewater goby population is the largest left in the state. The construction of the toll road will bring unavoidable torrents of silt into the marsh which will smother the toad's eggs and prevent breeding. Biologists believe that there is no possible way for the freeway to be built without silting in the marsh. The watershed also provides a habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher and the Least Bell's vireo, both of which depend on the growth of willows for dwelling.
The plans of the TCA to provide a minimal environmental impact seems to overlook many of the indirect influences that the road will produce such as noise, pollution and road hazards. Although they have plans to create preserves for the gnatcatcher and other endangered plants and animal life, the relocation process will be slow and have serious consequences on the wildlife. Above all, the National Resources Defense Council applauds the aspirations of the TCA but finds the program wanting in many respects: in clear standards, in adequate funding and most importantly the fulfillment of scientific promise.
Alternate road ways may also prove to be a key in settling the issue. The western alternate route would connect the current Foothill corridor with the I-5 in San Clemente, north of the San Mateo Creek and just north of the preferred route. This alternate, though not extending as far south as the preferred route, will completely avoid the state park. However this is not the solution because of the residential disturbance that would be created. Perhaps more time and effort should be spent to devise a more practical alternative path rather than constantly bickering over the rights of the land and looking for flaws in the environmental laws protecting the endangered wildlife.
References
1) Brenman, P. (1997, May 20). Rare mice in
path of toll road. Orange County Register, pp A1, A10.
2) Cone, M.,& Schoch, D. (1997, May 22). Open space plan flawed, environmental group says. Los Angeles Times, pp A16-A17.
3) Granberry, M. (1997, May 22). Appelate ruling may affect O.C. Toll Roads. Los Angeles Times, pp A1, A16.
4) www.cyberg8t.com/wroberts/ehl/gncatch.html
5) www.tcagencies.com/enviro.htm
6) www.tcagencies.com/fhnorth.htm
7) www.tcagencies.com/joaquin.htm
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