The Political Landscape:

Crystal Cove Alliance founder Laura Davick needs to raise about $22 million to finish restoration of the cottages and historic district at Crystal Cove State Park, but she said Wednesday she’s far from tempted by a $100 million offer for California state parks, some of which would go to improving Crystal Cove.

Her disdain is because of the money’s source. It’s being offered by the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, and it’s tied to the agency’s plan to extend the 241 toll road through San Onofre State Park in South Orange County.

“As far as we’re concerned, any kind of plan that’s going to compromise a state park is not something we’re going to be part of nor do we support,” said Davick, whose nonprofit group manages and raises money for Crystal Cove’s historic district.

The offer was made Friday and would pay about $70 million to extend the lease for San Onofre State Park, which is federally owned land; provide $10 million for habitat restoration at Crystal Cove; and kick in an estimated $20 million that could go to various projects, including the historic district at Crystal Cove.

Supporters of the proposed toll road extension say it’s needed to relieve traffic congestion. But it has raised some vehement opposition from those who say it will wreck the environment, including popular surf spot Trestles beach, and lead to more urban sprawl.

Davick said she also fears the road extension would set a dangerous precedent for laying pavement through public parks. She fought in 2001 to defeat plans for a $35 million resort where the historic cottages stand.

“I’ve had experience of this first-hand with Crystal Cove with the resort plan,” she said.

If Davick looks to elected officials for support, she’s not likely to find much. Huntington Beach state Sen. Tom Harman has opposed completion of the toll road, but Costa Mesa Assemblyman Van Tran and Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore are for it.

What some toll road opponents fail to point out, DeVore said, is the state park land is leased from the U.S. Navy, and Navy officials recently said if the long-planned toll road alignment doesn’t get built, they may take the land back.