San Onofre State Beach Saved From Development

Key legislation signed to permanently protect San Onofre State Beach. Assembly Bill 1426 provides permanent, statutory protection against any road construction.

In late September, California governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1426 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Encinitas), which ensures that no road infrastructure can be built that impacts or encroaches on San Onofre State Beach.

AB 1426 upholds the state’s interest in protecting San Onofre State Beach and respects the intent of legal agreements signed by state agencies and conservation groups to protect the park. In 2016, the Save San Onofre coalition organizations joined the Attorney General, Native American Heritage Commission, and the State Park and Recreation Commission in settling litigation with the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency. That settlement was later recognized in additional agreements with the California Department of Transportation and California Natural Resources Agency. Those agreements followed rejection of a proposed toll road through the park by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Coastal Commission because of the damage the road would cause to the state park and other resources.

“For two decades, park lovers have been fighting to protect San Onofre State Beach from road construction. Signing AB 1426 into law provides the long-term protection we need to ensure this incredibly important place remains intact for future generations. We are tremendously grateful to everyone who stayed in this long fight," said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation.