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FEDERAL AGENCY ISSUES KEY PERMIT FOR BUILDING 241 TOLL ROAD
The Biological Opinion concludes the project will not jeopardize any endangered species survival and recovery
IRVINE, Calif. (May 5, 2008) – The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued the Biological Opinion for the 241 Toll Road, confirming that the 16-mile roadway complies with the Endangered Species Act.
“This level of anticipated take is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the tidewater goby, arroyo toad, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, or Pacific pocket mouse,” the opinion states.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the federal resource agency responsible for regulating habitat for terrestrial threatened and endangered species. The Biological Opinion issued today concludes the 241 Toll Road will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of any endangered or threatened species – including the Pacific pocket mouse, the arroyo toad and the coastal California gnatcatcher. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had previously issued its determination that the Project would not adversely impact the steelhead trout. The Biological Opinion describes the comprehensive minimization, mitigation and enhancement measures that TCA has committed to implement in association with the 16-mile toll road extension. Some mitigation measures will be implemented prior to construction, including the restoration of oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub in the Agency's Upper Chiquita Canyon Conservation Area.
“This is exceptional news for our region towards relieving traffic gridlock for our citizens and confirming through rigorous scientific review that the decades of planning that went into selecting the route for the 241 yielded an alignment that is protective of endangered species as well,” said Lance MacLean, chairman of the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency.
MacLean added: “This exhaustive and precise analysis clearly rejects the misleading and unsubstantiated claims by toll road opponents who have sought, instead, to promote untenable options which would destroy over 1,200 homes and businesses and displace more than 4,000 local employees.”
The 16-mile alignment was selected after exhaustive study and a collaborative effort by local, state and federal agencies. The process began in 1999 and included the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, U.S. Marine Corps and TCA. The study and collaborative process involved thousands of hours of review and analysis of technical studies and of the state and federal environmental evaluations for the project. The collaborative process resulted in the identification of the Green Alignment that minimizes impacts on the human and natural environment and that is compatible with the mission of Camp Pendleton.
ABOUT TCA
Nearly 300,000 trips are taken on The Toll Roads every weekday, saving drivers an estimated 21 minutes per trip. The Toll Roads are operated by the Transportation Corridor Agencies, two joint powers authorities formed by the California state legislature in 1986 to plan, finance, construct, and operate Orange County's 67-mile public toll road system. Fifty-one miles of the system are complete, including the 15-mile San Joaquin Hills (SR-73) Toll Road from Newport Beach to San Juan Capistrano; and the 36-mile Foothill/Eastern Toll Road system (SR-241, SR- 261, SR-133) from the 91 Freeway to south Orange County. More info: www.thetollroads.com.
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