Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath’s bill Assembly Bill 1426 protects San Onofre State Beach from road construction threatening the natural, cultural and historical resources of the parkland 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2020

SACRAMENTO — Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 1426, authored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Encinitas), has successfully passed out the state legislature. The bill passed a final vote on the Assembly floor with 47-6 in support of permanently protecting San Onofre State Beach.  As one of California’s top five-most visited state parks, San Onofre State Beach protects the last remaining undeveloped watershed in Southern California, is home to the world-famous Trestles Beach that was immortalized in the Beach Boys Surfin’ USA, and houses ten federally-threatened or endangered species.   

“We are so thrilled Assemblymember Boerner Horvath’s legislation, one of the most important conservation bills of the year, has successfully moved through the legislature and on the path to permanently protect San Onofre State Beach and key wildlife areas,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “On behalf of our hundreds of thousands of California supporters and members who have demonstrated strong support, we urge the Governor’s signature on this important legislation.”

For more than 15 years, California State Parks Foundation has collaborated with key conservation and environmental partners in the Save San Onofre Coalition to protect San Onofre State Beach from proposed threats.  After years of advocacy, lobbying at the state and federal levels, organizing and mobilizing grassroots supporters and organizations, and engaging in litigation to protect the park, in late 2016, California State Parks Foundation and its allies in the Save San Onofre Coalition negotiated a key settlement to block road construction through the park. AB 1426 essentially places the substance of the settlement agreement into statute, rejecting a proposed road through San Onofre State Beach, while establishing an area including the state park and watershed lands that are protected from future road construction.   

“AB 1426 will make sure that the hard work and advocacy of everyone who has fought to keep this place protected cannot be undone,” said Assemblymember Boerner Horvath. “Protecting this park in statute will bring an end to the years of litigation, and today’s vote brings us one step closer to protecting this special place for future generations of campers, birders, hikers, fishermen, and surfers.” 

AB 1426 now moves to the Governor for signature.