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At the end of last year, San Onofre looked like it was close to being lost. However, a last-minute extension on its lease from the U.S. military ensured the surfing hub would remain part of the State Parks program for at least another 25 years. Though the ink has been dry on the deal for months now, a celebration was held Monday, where a group of politicians and officials commemorated the lease renewal.
“These outdoor spaces are just incredible places for peace of mind, they are classrooms, and they really teach us about the planet on which we depend for good health,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero in a press conference held on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Also in attendance were Congressman Mike Levin, the California Secretary of Natural Resources, the California State Parks Director, the Camp Pendleton Commanding General, members from the San Onofre Parks Foundation and partners from various non-profits including the Resources Legacy Fund, Marisla Foundation, Surfrider, NRDC and Endangered Habitat League.
Though San Onofre has a long history as a focal point for the Southern California surf community, the land itself is actually on loan from the United States Navy. It was leased to the California Department of Parks and Recreation in 1971 as part of President Richard Nixon’s Legacy of Parks program. The 50-year agreement expired in 2021, then a three year extension delayed that date to August 2024. There were some tense moments as that extended deadline drew near, but an agreement was finally reached with only 24 hours to spare. The new agreement extended San Onofre’s status as a state park for another 25 years.
“California just signed a new deal with our federal partners to keep San Onofre open as a state park for another 25 years,” wrote California Governor Gavin Newsom at the time of the extension. “San Onofre’s beaches, hiking and biking trails, and campgrounds will continue to welcome visitors for years to come.”
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