TCA Sued Not Once, Not Twice, but THRICE!
Today, Attorney General Bill Lockyer sued the Transportation Corridor Agencies.
Read the complaint HERE. Lockyer is none too keen on their plan to build a toll road through San Onofre State Beach, impacting surfing resources, the San Mateo Campground, Native American sites, and engandered species. And he isn't the only one.
A "coalition of environmental and surfing organizations," a.k.a. NRDC, California State Parks Foundation, Endangered Habitats League, Laguna Greenbelt, Sage Aubudon Society, Surfrider, and the Sierra Club also sued; both lawsuits allege the TCA violated CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), specifically Section 21168 and 21168.5. Additionally, the Native American Heritage Coalition filed suit to "protect this sacred place from severe and irreperable damage." Read our coverage of Native American concerns here.
(Hey, TCA, watch your ass - Lockyer's wife Nadia is part Juaneno.)
The TCA cranked out a response with amazing celerity - almost as if they anticipated these lawsuits. Read their latest attempt to deflect criticism HERE.
According to the State of CA's complaint, the TCA screwed up because its Environmental Impact Report "failed to discuss [impacts of the Toll Road on the rural setting, on the campground, and on the habitats of various threatened and endangered species..." In other words, they didn't do their homework, so they're gonna get detention.
TCA's response, via Ken Ryan? "We're confident that the environmental document more than adequately addresses the impacts..." In other words, he thinks he knows more about California state law than the Attorney General of the State of California. Good luck with that strategy, sir.
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Matt Cunningham says:
Alex,
In other words, he thinks he knows more about California state law than the Attorney General of the State of California.
Well, then -- why have a court system, if the AG is automatically correct on matters relating to state law, by virtue of his office? By that logic, we should have Lockyer simply dispose of legal disputes by diktat from his throne, like King Solomon.
Posted on Thursday, Mar. 23 2006 @ 3:03PM
Geoff R, Anaheim CA says:
Man, I was having a lousy day until I read this. TCA getting sued over their asinine proposal? Ahhhh, good times...
Posted on Thursday, Mar. 23 2006 @ 4:03PM
Nick says:
So when you say his wife is Juaneno, I guess you admit he has an inherent conflict of interests and is abusing is duly elected post by using it to push personal preferences? Nice. Welcome to life with Democrats in positions of power.
Posted on Thursday, Mar. 23 2006 @ 6:03PM
Alex says:
Way to put words in my mouth, Nick.
So you're saying the Democrats are the type of people who look after the interests of their family? Whereas the Republicans are more keen to look after powerful friends and political donors?
See? It's not much fun, is it? Use your own words, don't try and twist mine.
The Juaneno wife (who's lovely I'm told) has nothing to do with TCA's flagrant disregard of the law; numerous agencies wrote to inform them their EIR was deficient. All the AG is doing is calling them on their unwillingness to bring their document onto solid legal footing.
Posted on Thursday, Mar. 23 2006 @ 6:03PM
Koko Archibong says:
TCA has been sued nearly a dozen times on the roads they've built and, well... we've lost every time.
But I think the this time will be the charm!!
I'm sure the Sierra Club et. al. are confident that they can win this time and aren't just suing as a reason to fundraise. They're much too wholesome for something that underhanded.
Posted on Sunday, Mar. 26 2006 @ 5:03PM
The Blotter»Blog Archive » TCA Needs a New Fall Guy says:
[...] It's been 21 days after the toll road agencies' Chief Toll Operations Officer left (and 43 days after they announced his retirement), and they're just going through applications now. Like I said, it's too bad the TCA won't call me back so they could explain how it's really not a big deal. They probably want to avoid paying another six-figure salary for as long as possible to save up for legal bills. • • • [...]
Posted on Wednesday, May. 31 2006 @ 11:05AM