PRESS RELEASE

On July 1, 1997, the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA) submitted a proposal to the County of Orange to prepare a non-aviation reuse plan for MCAS El Toro. ETRPA’s proposal was intended to help the Board of Supervisors fulfill its unanimous commitment in December 1996 to: (1) initiate a parallel planning process to develop a non-aviation plan and (2) encourage the meaningful participation of cities, communities and landowners in the vicinity of the base.

The ETRPA proposal is an all-inclusive process to develop a non-aviation plan to meet the County’s identified need for such a plan. The ETRPA proposal seeks to develop a plan through the invited participation of such diverse groups as the County, Taxpayers for Responsible Planning, Project ’99, the Orange County Business Council and the Building Industry Association of Orange County as key representatives of both aviation and non-aviation interest groups. These interest groups would work directly with ETRPA to develop the non-aviation plan. ETRPA has proposed to undertake this work at no cost to the County.

ETRPA and County representatives met several times in July and August to discuss ETRPA’s proposal. County representatives offered no substantive criticism of ETRPA’s suggested planning process or participants. ETRPA representatives felt that substantial progress was being made until the County released its August 8 staff report to the Board of Supervisors. The staff report proposes that ETRPA be required to waive fundamental legal and constitutional rights as a pre-condition to a cooperative planning process. Such conditions are unacceptable and unrelated to the development of a non-aviation plan.

ETRPA is presently moving forward with the preparation of a non-aviation plan. We are confident of our ability to develop an exciting plan that will capture the public’s imagination and appeal to all County residents of reason and conscience. ETRPA will fulfill the County’s commitment to develop such a plan for the benefit of all County residents. The door to cooperation with the County will remain open.

ETRPA is a joint powers authority comprised of the Cities of Irvine, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point and Laguna Beach. ETRPA represents over 500,000 residents who have serious questions and concerns about the proposed development of a major commercial airport at MCAS El Toro. MCAS El Toro is scheduled for closure in June 1999 and for reuse thereafter.

For further information, please contact ETRPA Chairman Richard Dixon at 461-3420.

Issued: August 12, 1997