NEWS - January 2005


Today's Headlines - click on the date for stories
OCBJ Comment datelined January 31, 2005
Putting a Price on LAX South

LA Times, Travel Insider, January 30, 2005
LAX-downtown rail plan may finally be leaving the station

Supervisor Tom Wilson's 5th District Report, January 28, 2005 posted January 29
"We will remain vigilant . . .

El Toro Info Site report, January 28, 2005
Regional airport bill advances in state senate

El Toro Info Site report, January 28, 2005
Area airports report 2004 results

North County Times, January 27, 2005
"High-speed rail plan between San Francisco and San Diego gets nod"

Irvine World News, January 27, 2005
"El Toro cleanup fund short?"

El Toro Info Site report, January 26, 2005
Items of interest

El Toro Info Site report, January 25, 2005
ETRPA increases lobbying effort and installs new officers.

OC Register, January 24, 2005
"Irvine hiring airport advocate"
"City plans to hire Bruce Nestande to consult on the Great Park project".

El Toro Info Site report, January 23, 2005
When does the auction end?

El Toro Info Site report, January 21, 2005
First bids received for El Toro property

OC Register editorial, January 21, 2005
"Los Angeles Airport of El Toro"

El Toro Info Site report, January 21, 2005 - corrected
ALUC signals more stall tactics

Heritage Fields auction update, January 20, 2005
"Auction Closing Soon"

El Toro Info Site Report, January 20, 2005
No bids; no worry

OC Register, January 19, 2005
"Anti-El Toro airport forces regrouping"

El Toro Info Site report, January 18, 2005
LA Council backs attempted El Toro "hostile takeover"

Daily Pilot, January 18, 2005
"L.A. to hear 2 sides of El Toro"

El Toro Info Site Report, January 17, 2005
Spitzer: "El Toro is off limits."

El Toro Info Site Report, January 15, 2005 - updated January 17
OC standing up to LA on El Toro

LA Times, January 16, 2005
"Major Hurdles for LAX Suits"

El Toro Info Site Report, January 14, 2005
LA presses El Toro takeover attempt

El Toro Info Site Report, January 14, 2005
Base closure issue clouds the picture

Chicago Tribune, January 13, 2005
"FAA: O'Hare plan OK on environment"

El Toro Info Site report, January 12, 2005
LA continues plot to grab El Toro - backed by OC insurgents

El Toro Info Site report, January 12, 2005
Lessons from the Tustin auction

Daily Pilot, January 11, 2005
"More than just resolutions for '05"

El Toro Info Site report, January 10, 2005
Los Angeles continues pursuit of El Toro

Fullerton News Tribune, January 6, 2005 web posted January 10
"No El Toro for Fullerton"

Associated Press, January 9, 2005
"News briefs from around the state"

Burbank Leader, January 8, 2005
"Official eyes regional air plan"

El Toro Info Site report, January 7, 2005
Meanwhile, there's Senate Bill 32

OC Register, January 6, 2005
"No offers made on auction's first day"

Los Angeles Daily News Editorial, January 6, 2005
"Who's kidding who? Do-nothing mayor tries to hide his failed air-traffic plan with cheap stunt"

El Toro Info Site report, January 5, 2005
The sale begins!

El Toro Info Site report, January 5, 2005
Commentary on yesterday's big news

Representative Christoper Cox' office, January 4, 2005
"Cox Rejoinder to Hahn: ‘Hands Off of Orange County’"

El Toro Info Site report, January 4, 2005
Navy says "No" to Hahn

El Toro Info Site report, January 4, 2005
Mineta says "No" to Fullerton scheme

El Toro Info Site report, January 4, 2005
Hahn letter to Navy draws Irvine response.

El Toro Info Site report, January 4, 2005
Campbell is new Board Chairman

Daily Breeze, January 4, 2005
"Hahn, Cardenas push El Toro airport in eleventh-hour bid"

OC Register, January 3, 2005
"The Buzz"


LA Times, January 2, 2005
"Palmdale Pops Up on Fliers' Radar"

El Toro Info Site report
2004 - THE EL TORO YEAR IN REVIEW

Click here for last month's news stories


OCBJ Comment, datelined January 31, 2005
Putting a Price on LAX South

The Orange County Business Journal's writer Michael Lyster editorializes "If L.A. wants El Toro, let it bid for it."

"I already can hear the bureaucrats on Spring Street retorting. As a government agency looking to reuse El Toro for public benefit, L.A. is entitled to get the land for free, just as the county of Orange would have."

"But that ship's sailed. Now the Navy is looking to make some money off El Toro. So why not call L.A.'s bluff. If you want it, ante up."

The piece concludes: "the likelihood of …L.A. coming up with billions to buy El Toro . . . is slim."

Website Editor: We can't discount the possibility that LA's interest in El Toro is fueled as much by the politics of the current mayoral election than by airport demand. Campaign rhetoric is one thing, writing the check is another. But just to play safe, ETRPA is increasing its lobbying budget and planning a trip to Washington to cover its bases.

LA Times, Travel Insider, January 30, 2005
LAX-downtown rail plan may finally be leaving the station

Website Editor: Senator Richard Alarcon says, "We need another airport. Any fifth grader can figure that out when they're sitting on the 405 for two hours going to LAX." But LA Times travel writer Jan Engle offers a different option to sitting on the 405. She examines what other cities are doing to ease airport ground access.

"They heaped scorn on Angelenos in 1995 when we introduced a light-rail route that bypassed the region's biggest airport. MTA's Green Line trains, originating in Norwalk, pulled up two miles shy of LAX before veering south toward Redondo Beach."

"'A train to nowhere,' critics called it . . . Fewer than 2% of LAX passengers appear to use the Green Line to go to and from the airport, said Nancy Suey Castles, LAX spokeswoman."

"Since then, New York, Newark, N.J., San Francisco and Minneapolis have created airport-to-city rail links. Amtrak just opened a station near Milwaukee's airport."

"And LAX? A decade later, we're still two miles short . . .That may be changing. An $11-billion LAX modernization plan approved last month by the Los Angeles City Council calls for a people-mover system that would run from the Green Line's Aviation Station to the airport, then loop around the terminals . . . by, say, 2010."

"It couldn't come too soon." Click for the entire article.

Supervisor Tom Wilson's 5th District Report, January 28, 2005 posted January 29
"We will remain vigilant . . ."

The Supervisor's email newsletter says, regarding El Toro:

I’m sure that many of you have been reading in the papers that the City of Los Angeles has once again brought up the issue of turning El Toro into an International Airport. Well I would like to let you all know that last week I received a letter from Woodie Woodward, Associate Administer for Airports for the FAA. The Navy has entered into the current process fully intending to auction the land and respect the development of the much talked about Great Park. I consider the recent move by Los Angeles to be irresponsible and a smack in the face Orange County decision makers. It was refreshing to learn that Ms. Woodward echoes my feelings on the issue and affirms that the Navy’s process will not be undermined or interrupted. I hope that this calms those of you down who were getting nervous about having to start this fight all over again. We will remain vigilant and keep you informed.

Website Editor: The Navy sale is unlikely to be interrupted. What gets me "nervous" are proposals for a Sacramento-mandated regional airport authority with state power to overturn the will of local voters and change local zoning. More in story below.

El Toro advocates hope for California legislation to override local control of airports - in today's Daily Pilot.


Most of El Toro will be empty space - and getting emptier - for years after the Navy sale. Unusable Marine Corps buildings will be removed. Obsolete military runways that are too steep, close together and incorrectly oriented for efficient commercial aviation will be torn out. During that time, there is the risk that the raw land could be acquired for an airport from its new owners. Vigilance is essential.
El Toro Info Site report, January 28, 2005
Regional airport bill advances in state senate

Yesterday, Senator Richard Alarcon's SB32 for a Los Angeles County Regional Airport Authority was assigned to the Rules Committee. Orange County observers are wary that the draft bill, includes powers to extend jurisdiction into neighboring counties, and could be amended to force airport expansion in OC.

Senator Alarcon had this to say about LAX and other regional airports during a December 22, 2004 mayoral campaign debate on KCET's Life and Times.

Ladies and gentlemen, the bucket is full. You cannot just paint the bucket to make it better. We need more capacity. We need another bucket. We need another airport. Any fifth grader can figure that out when they're sitting on the 405 for two hours going to LAX. That's why I'm introducing legislation in January to build a regional airport authority that transcends the power of the Los Angeles World Airport Authority and will provide the leverage to build a new airport north, south, east, west, wherever it needs to be. We may need two or three more international airports, but we cannot continue to fill this bucket because it's spewing out all kinds of negative aspects of quality of life into our communities.

El Toro Info Site report, January 28, 2005 - updated
Area airports report 2004 results

Los Angeles International Airport served 54,982,836 passengers last year, broken down as 40,358,935 domestic and 14,623,903 international travelers. The total was a 10.4% gain over 2003 with the international component showing the greater percentage increase. Despite the good recovery, LAX still served fewer passengers in 2004 than in any of the four years 1998-2001.

John Wayne Airport, the second busiest airport in the region, served 9,272,394 passengers in 2004. It was a record year for the Orange County airport with traffic posting an 8.6% increase over the previous year.

Ontario Airport, the region's third busiest, served 6,937,337 passengers, up by 5.9% from the prior year. It was a record year for ONT.

Long Beach served 2,926,873 passengers in 2004, an increase of 1.8% over the previous year and a record.

Burbank Airport has yet to post its statistics online. The LA Daily News reports that traffic "has been fairly steady for a decade" but is up 4% this year..

North County Times, January 27, 2005
"High-speed rail plan between San Francisco and San Diego gets nod"

"The California High-Speed Rail Authority board gave tentative approval in Sacramento today to a 700-mile high-speed-train route between San Francisco and San Diego."

"The proposed statewide high-speed rail system calls for trains that are capable of speeds of up to 220 mph to run between the Bay Area and Sacramento to Central and Southern California."

The proposed route will include Los Angeles' Union Station, San Diego's Santa Fe Depot, March Air Reserve Base, Ontario Airport and Palmdale.

"Voters will be asked in November 2006 to approve a $9 billion bond measure to begin construction on a portion of the high-speed rail system."

Irvine World News, January 27, 2005 - updated
"El Toro cleanup fund short?"
"Judge warns that Navy might not have enough money to clean up the base."

"Federal Judge Gary L. Taylor noted that funds from the sale of El Toro lands would flow into a federal base-closure account that will fund not just El Toro cleanup but also be used to remove pollution at other closed bases."

"Taylor says the Department of Defense could run out of money to clean up the old El Toro base, and therefore the court will retain jurisdiction over the cleanup. Taylor's decision came in response to questions raised by the Airport Working Group."

Website Editor: We believe that airport proponents including the AWG - and environmental lawyers who worked for the AWG in the past - are trying to muddy the waters to discourage bidding on the property.

Website Editor: Click here for an update on the status of the litigation before Judge Taylor
referenced in the news story. In December 2004, the Airport Working Group raised objections to Department of Defense information regarding the status of the cleanup effort. They requested a further hearing on the matter. The Department of Defense wrote to the court on December 7 that "The defendants must respectfully but forcefully oppose this attempt by the plaintiffs [AWG] to reopen this litigation." The court agreed and Judge Taylor wrote on January 18, 2005 that "A further hearing on these questions as requested by the Airport Working Group will not be necessary."

"The Navy has said repeatedly it will pay for the full environmental cleanup, which includes a solvent plume from years of dumping engine cleaners."

"Irvine is mindful of potential environmental problems and next month is expected to formally designate the old base a redevelopment area . . . If the Defense Department runs short of money for environmental cleanup, it would put pressure on the city to use some of the redevelopment monies for cleanup."

Click for this full article and several IWN items today on the hiring of Bruce Nestande. Nestande led one of the plaintiffs with the AWG in the environmental case when it came before Judge Taylor.


El Toro Info Site report, January 26, 2005 - updated
Items of interest

The Irvine City Council approved the hiring of Bruce Nestande as a consultant yesterday. The item was passed unanimously as part of the consent calendar with little public discussion from the Councilmembers or comments from those in attendance at the meeting.

Mayor Beth Krom said in her State of the City speech that city leaders "must remain vigilant" to ensure that efforts to secure El Toro for a commercial airport are thwarted. "We will defend by any and all means necessary ... to ensure that our future is not defined or compromised by outside interests."


The OC Register reported yesterday that "the Navy says it still is registering companies to bid on the four parcels [at El Toro]. The auction is expected to be complete within weeks, rather than dragging on for months, as did the auction of the old Tustin base."

As of 7:22 AM today, there were no additional bids since those reported on January 21.

El Toro Info Site report, January 25, 2005
ETRPA increases lobbying effort and installs new officers.

ETRPA reports that last night, "in response to the City of Los Angeles' efforts to force a commercial airport" at El Toro, the Authority is increasing its budget to include additional lobbying in Sacramento. Wilson and Miller Communications, a group with good access to the Governor's office, has been added to the existing ETRPA lobbying team. 

ETRPA Executive Director Paul Eckles said "With the Los Angeles City Council making it clear that they wish to acquire El Toro for a fifth LA-run airport, we no longer believe the sale will be the end of the issue."

Also last night, the ETRPA board elected Laguna Hills Council Member Allan Songstad to serve as its chairman and Laguna Woods Council Member Bert Hack as vice chair. Both are attorneys with extensive experience in the El Toro conflict.

OC Register, January 24, 2005 - updated January 25
"Irvine hiring airport advocate"
"City plans to hire Bruce Nestande to consult on the Great Park project".

"Perhaps the greatest advocate of an El Toro airport is going to work for the Great Park. The city of Irvine is expected to hire Bruce Nestande to a six-month, $90,000 consulting job."

"The report from the city manager to the City Council says Nestande will provide 'strategic advice and assistance regarding various issues and planning matters associated with the civilian reuse of the old base."

"Nestande . . . was president of the pro-airport Citizens for Jobs and Economy." the group that ran the Measure A campaign and the fight against Measures F and W.

Click for more on this late breaking story and the flood of comments it is generating. 

The City Council will vote on the contract at this afternoon's meeting. The scope of work is spelled out in Nestande's letter to the city.

In a followup story on Tuesday, the Register adds "' Its a matter of moving on and dealing with issues, Nestande said. His career has focused on land-use and transportation issues, expertise Irvine wants as it proceeds with creating the Great Park."

"The question now is how do we get this Great Park and associated amenities built,' said Councilman Larry Agran, who chairs the Great Park Corp. board. 'Bruce can help us, particularly regarding transportation. And he is well-connected in Sacramento.'"

Website Editor: Nestande may be best remembered for his statement that "People in Los Angeles and Riverside should be able to not allow Orange County residents to fly out of their airports, or should be able to impose a surcharge on Orange County passengers and cargo for using their airports." (Los Angeles Times, February 24, 2002)

El Toro Info Site report, January 23, 2005
When does the auction end?

According to the Heritage Fields website the Government will announce a date for final bids "soon".

If no new bids are received on a parcel on that final date, then bidding will be closed.

However, if a bid is increased, or a new bid is received by closing time on the scheduled final bidding date, then the auction for that parcel will continue to closing time on the next business day. The close of bids will continue rolling-over until a day when no new bids are received.

The Tustin auction rolled over many times during the final weeks as bidders continued to put in new offers - sometimes just two minutes prior to the cutoff deadline.

El Toro Info Site report, January 21, 2005
First bids received for El Toro property

At approximately 12.30 PM today the first bids were received in the GSA auction. They were for the minimum opening amounts on parcels 1 and 2 - a total of $345,000,000.

The bidder is identified only by a secret code name "Hrtfld". Let the games begin.

OC Register editorial, January 21, 2005
"Los Angeles Airport of El Toro"

"Like a vampire, the idea keeps rising from the dead, this time thanks to L.A. Mayor Hahn. We chalk it up as one of those awful debates that just won't go away - something akin to those B-movie zombies that keep popping up no matter how sure you are that you killed them."

"We're talking about, of course, the debate over the reuse of the closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in south Orange County."

"While the U.S. Navy, which holds title to the land, awaits bids, Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn and other L.A. officials continue to lobby the feds to ignore the entire battle over the base, ignore the votes of the people and the politicians, and build an international airport on the spot anyway. Los Angeles would then run it."

"The feds aren't the least bit interested in revisiting the airport idea, nor are most Orange County residents. Even many of those who supported an airport are on to other things. Only the diehards carry on."

"Let's just sell the property and ignore them."

Bravo! For the entire editorial click here.

El Toro Info Site report, January 21, 2005 - corrected
ALUC signals more stall tactics

Over three months ago, Supervisors Wilson and Campbell wrote the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) that the Airport Environs Land Use Plan (AELUP), which governs development in several cities around the former El Toro base, "should be rescinded as soon as possible." At Thursday's stormy meeting, the ALUC gave clear signals of its intentions to continue to stall.

ALUC Executive Director Joan Golding - a John Wayne Airport employee - presented a time consuming work plan. She said that before canceling the AELUP for the former military airbase, her staff must review the "Great Park Final EIR including comments and responses, as well as the City of Irvine prior EIR's, the Millennium Plan EIR, as well as the City of Irvine Resolutions, findings, mitigation monitoring plans, statement of overriding considerations, . . .the County of Orange EIR's 563 and 573 for the Civilian Reuse of MCAS El Toro and the Airport System Master Plan for John Wayne Airport and the Proposed Orange County International Airport." She said, "staff intends to commence this task now."

The ALUC majority rejected a motion by Commissioner Tom O'Malley that would enable rescinding of the restrictions created for the military airbase concurrent with the completion of the El Toro sale. Instead, they adopted Golding's proposal to delay, until some unspecified time after the close of escrow, the public hearings and other administrative steps she said were necessary.

Interest was expressed in continuing the land use restrictions in case Los Angeles acquired use of the property. One commissioner said, "We would ask the [LA] Mayor what he wants to do."

Heritage Fields auction update, January 20, 2005
"Auction Closing Soon"

"The online auction of Heritage Fields commenced on January 5, 2005. The Navy and GSA would like to remind registered and potentially registered bidders that a Call for Final Bids will be issued shortly."

Website Editor: See story below.

El Toro Info Site Report, January 20, 2005 - updated
No bids; no worry

After two weeks of the El Toro auction there are no bids.

El Toro advocates are attempting to create a picture of reluctant bidders. LA Councilman Tony Cardenas speculates that "according to representatives of the Orange County Regional Airport Authority, no bids have been made because of a massive contamination issue." So why are Cardena and his fellow LA politicians offering to cleanup the "massive contamination" for the Navy as part of their offer for getting control of El Toro?

A realty officer for the federal government sees it as just auction tactics. "Most of the bids aren't expected until after the U.S. General Services Administration announces a closing date for the bids". The Tustin auction history certainly demonstrates how slow bidding is in the first month.

Participants must provide a $3 million Registration Deposit and a $5 million Irrevocable Letter of Credit for each parcel on which they bid. We are informed that several prospective bidders have done just that.

Today's Irvine World News reports "Mayor, Navy expect brisk billing. Potential buyers waiting till last hours to jump into bidding battle for El Toro."

An ETRPA spokesperson says that the GSA may announce a closing date next week, which will start the action. In February, we will see how poorly OCRAA advised Cardena.

OC Register, January 19, 2005
"Anti-El Toro airport forces regrouping"
"Renewed effort comes as Los Angeles fights to lease the old Marine base."

"The El Toro Reuse Planning Authority says it will hire and dispatch representatives to Sacramento and Washington to thwart Los Angeles' renewed efforts to wrest El Toro for use as a commercial airport. Their action follows a Los Angeles City Council resolution Tuesday urging the Navy and federal Department of Transportation to accept the city's offer on El Toro - a 99-year lease on the old base, which includes assumption of environmental cleanup costs, estimated at $300 million."

"'It's a serious threat,' said Meg Waters, spokeswoman for ETRPA, which helped defeat earlier efforts to convert the old base into a commercial airport. She said each of her group's 10 member cities - all in south county - will be asked to fund the new effort."

"'We will not stop fighting,' said Irvine Mayor Beth Krom, a firm anti-airport advocate."

"What most concerns ETRPA is legislation brewing in Sacramento that would create a regional airport authority, which would have power to determine location and size of commercial airports."

"Los Angeles wants El Toro to relieve growing air and ground traffic at Los Angeles International Airport, and the issue has become part of Mayor James Hahn's re-election campaign."

Website Editor: ETRPA expected to fold its tent this summer but quickly reacted to the new threats. We hope that the County will exercise its responsibilities to protect the residents of Orange County from LA's imperialism. A Los Angeles-run airport authority in the heart of OC threatens wide areas with traffic, environmental damage, economic exploitation by LA politicians and harm to local property values.

Click for today's coverage of LA's action in several newspapers.


El Toro Info Site report, January 18, 2005
LA Council backs attempted El Toro "hostile takeover"

The Los Angeles City Council voted 14-0 today to support efforts to engineer a "hostile takeover" of El Toro.

Speaking for the measure were the following: LAX staff, most of the City Council, Chuck Smith, Tom Naughton of the AWG, Jack Wagner from OCRAA, Tom Coad, Cynthia Coad and Jim Adams for organized labor.

Speaking against the move were Meg Waters and Tom O'Malley for ETRPA and a representative from Todd Spitzer's office. They were the only speakers cut off by the chairman.

Click for the first general media report.

Also today, ETRPA attorneys served notice on LA Mayor James Hahn that if Los Angeles attempted to enter into a long-term lease of the El Toro property, it would be undertaking a project which, according to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) would first require an Environmental Impact Report.  "Such analysis would necessarily be both lengthy and costly."

Attorney Rich Jacobs concludes "Please be assured that, if the City continues to pursue its misguided efforts to impose an airport on Orange County, ETRPA will litigate against the City for any violation of CEQA, and any other laws affecting the City's suggested action."

Daily Pilot, January 18, 2005
"L.A. to hear 2 sides of El Toro"

"Although the closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station has been on the auction block since Jan. 5, local pro-El Toro airport activists were set to face off with airport opponents this morning in yet another arena - Los Angeles City Council chambers."

"The L.A. City Council planned to vote today on a resolution asking federal authorities to lease the El Toro property to Los Angeles World Airports, a city agency that operates the Los Angeles International Airport and three other airports in the region. Los Angeles officials have seized upon El Toro as a possible way to ease the burden their city bears from increasing passenger loads."

"'We're going to be supportive of the L.A. City Council,' said Richard Taylor, vice president of the Newport Beach-based Airport Working Group."

"Some Airport Working Group members plan to attend this morning's meeting to counter any arguments made by El Toro airport opponents such as the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority, a group Taylor says just doesn't want flight paths over its area's high-priced homes."

"'We have jets [fly] over us; people in L.A. County have jets over them,' Taylor said. 'This is called economic elitism.'"

"The El Toro Reuse Planning Authority . . . has little hope of persuading Los Angeles council members to vote down the El Toro resolution but still wants to be at the meeting to state its position, spokeswoman Meg Waters said."

"'We're not going en masse, because we figure that [the decision is] pretty much set for the council already, but we just want to put them on notice that this is not going to be easy,' she said."

Click for more . . .

El Toro Info Site Report, January 17, 2005
Spitzer: "El Toro is off limits."

Assemblymember Todd Spitzer (R-Orange) today sent his letter to the Los Angeles City Council urging them to reject a resolution to continue Los Angeles’ lobbying efforts to grab control of El Toro away from Orange County."

Spitzer made clear that the airport proponents who attended a recent LA Council subcommittee do not represent the voters or leadership of Orange County. 

"The City of Los Angeles continues to ignore the overwhelming opposition to the creation of a commercial airport at El Toro,” stated Spitzer, whose district includes the former El Toro Marine Base and who championed the fight against an airport while a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

“I will continue to fight the efforts to make El Toro a commercial airport.  I urge all Los Angeles City Councilmembers to reject this resolution,” Spitzer concluded.

El Toro Info Site Report, January 15, 2005 - updated January 17 and revised
OC standing up to LA on El Toro

The Los Angeles City Council will decide tomorrow whether to "call upon the United States Navy and Department of Transportation to pursue the City’s offer to lease MCAS El Toro and operate the facility as a civilian passenger and cargo airport."

Additionally, the motion calls on Los Angeles World Airports to work "with the Chief Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Council and the Mayor to notify the California Congressional delegation, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and California State Governor and other interested persons or groups of the City’s desire to lease MCAS El Toro." In other words, turn loose the city's substantially lobbying resources.

On January 14, Supervisor Bill Campbell, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors expressed "deep concern" to the LA Council over the agenda item. He wrote, an airport is "not a desirable use for the property, and furthermore the voters soundly rejected this proposal in two back-to-back elections."

Campbell cautions, "We will actively oppose any efforts by the City of Los Angeles to usurp the right of the people of Orange County to determine their future with regards to planning and growth."

"I would suggest that we focus our attention on ways to work together, rather than creating a significant regional conflict."

Campbell's letter puts the Los Angeles council on notice that they have no business interfering with a neighboring county.

ETRPA also is arguing the case against aviation use of El Toro as OC stands up to LA.

LA Times, January 16, 2005
"Major Hurdles for LAX Suits"

Despite "a quartet of lawsuits challenging the city's modernization plan for Los Angeles International Airport, environmental law experts say opponents face serious obstacles in their bid to halt the long-awaited overhaul. Airport neighbors argue in litigation filed this month in Superior Court that environmental studies for the LAX plan understate how much noise, traffic and air pollution will be created and fail to deal with the effect on nearby communities.".

"Challenging environmental studies in court to try to block airport projects is a common tactic. Typically, the cases delay projects for years and add to their costs, experts say, but they rarely stop them."

"California environmental law [enables] opponents to challenge the LAX plan by attempting to show that the city airport agency could have selected another alternative."

"For instance, the lawsuits argue that environmental studies fail to address the possibility of dispersing travelers to other airports or capping LAX capacity at 78.9 million annual passengers."

"But challengers may have a tough time convincing a judge that these alternatives are feasible, because LAX cannot force airlines to take service to other airports and federal law prohibits the airport agency from limiting passenger growth."

Click for entire article.

El Toro Info Site Report, January 14, 2005
LA presses El Toro takeover attempt

Demonstrating extraordinary persistence and chutzpah, the Los Angeles City Council will press forward with a vote to back Mayor James Hahn's Navy-spurned attempt to takeover El Toro. The proposal will come before the full council on Tuesday after having won 2-0 approval in a sub committee.

Subcommittee member Tony Cardenas released a media announcement to this effect riddled with misinformation supplied by the AWG and OCRAA.

We do not think it useful for anti-airport grass roots activists to besiege LA City Hall. They would be unwelcome and ineffective, as were LAX neighbors when the AWG bussed them to Orange County Board meetings.

ETRPA is best equipped to correct errors in LA's perceptions about El Toro and will do so.

Cardenas' statement refers to "a room full of key Orange County elected officials" supporting his motion. We trust that our County government will make it very clear that Chuck Smith, Tom Coad and the other pro-airport groupies who have shown up in LA do not represent the will of the majority of Orange County voters nor of their elected representatives.

El Toro Info Site Report, January 14, 2005
Base closure issue clouds the picture

Communities, civic groups, businesses and others that might be affected in California and the rest of nation are bracing for the fifth round of Base Realignment and Closure, which could close as many as one quarter of the country's 600 military installations. The Department of Defense says it is restructuring the military to fight 21st century wars and eliminating outdated bases as part of that strategy.

Local supporters of military bases spoke at the fifth of six public hearings conducted by the California Council for Base Support and Retention.

The preliminary list of bases to be closed is expected around mid-May. It could contain potential commercial airport sites.

Click for arguments about the aviation role of March AFB and why neighbors say it should remain open.

Click for article opposing any closure of Camp Pendleton.

The Orange County Regional Airport Authority, OCRAA seeks to drum up support for a commercial airport at El Toro amongst residents of Seal Beach. OCRAA warns that Los Alamitos air station or the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station could be closed by the military and subsequently converted to a civilian airport. OCRAA claims airport capacity is badly needed but not in its member cities' back yards.

Chicago Tribune, January 13, 2005
"FAA: O'Hare plan OK on environment"

Website Editor: While Southern California focuses on ways to limit expansion of LAX, by moving future traffic to other communities (See story below), most major airports in the nation have growth plans in the works. This illustrative story is from Chicago.

"No major environmental roadblocks have been uncovered by an analysis of Chicago's planned expansion of O'Hare Airport, according to a Federal Aviation Administration study that is to be released Thursday."

"The environmental analysis of the $15 billion O'Hare project started in 2003 . . .The city hopes to open the first new runway in 2007 and complete the eight-runway reconfiguration in 2013."

"'It moves us closer to accomplishing our goal of dramatically improving the nation's busiest airport,' [Mayor Richard] Daley said at City Hall."

"The FAA study concluded that quieter jet engines planned for passenger planes would help reduce the size of the area outside the airport affected by noise, [despite a doubling of the number of flights] according to aviation officials who read the draft report."

The study looked at "the impact of the expansion on ground transportation on roads and highways near the airport."

Crains Business News adds, "The report also says that airport expansion would increase air pollution compared to the alternative of not expanding the airport, but that any increase would be within federal air quality standards."

"The environmental impact statement also rules out further consideration of using other airports as a 'viable solution' to meeting the projected airport capacity needs of the Chicago region."

"The Suburban O'Hare Commission, the main anti-expansion group, said that while it has not seen the draft report, it believes that a series of federal legal objections can be raised to the O'Hare modernization plan." 

"Illinois Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said the draft is a positive step for O'Hare expansion, and demonstrates the FAA understands the significance of the project to the Chicagoland area."

El Toro Info Site report, January 12, 2005
LA continues plot to grab El Toro - backed by OC insurgents

A subcommittee of the Los Angeles City Council voted 2-0 on Tuesday to continue Los Angeles lobbying efforts to grab control of El Toro away from Orange County. The proposal now will go to the entire city council for action.

Several Orange County political figures seeking to overturn Measure W showed up in a disturbingly bold and coordinated effort. We have been warning about an insurgency trying to override the will of local voters. Their tactic is to try to put an OC face on LA's power grab and paint a false picture of local support for the airport for Washington and Sacramento lawmakers.

Those from Orange County speaking in favor of the Los Angeles action included former Supervisor Chuck Smith, OCRAA Executive Director Jack Wagner, OCRAA Chairman and Fullerton City Council member Leland Wilson, Airport Working Group President Tom Naughton, and former Supervisor Cynthia Coad's husband Tom Coad who joined AWG as a Director.

LA Councilman and subcommittee member Tony Cardenas seriously asked whether Fullerton was in Orange or LA County. Based on Fullerton Councilman Wilson's position favoring an LA takeover, we can understand Cardenas' confusion.

El Toro Info Site report, January 12, 2005
Lessons from the Tustin auction

The seemingly slow start to the El Toro auction, wth no bids in the first week, is not that exceptional. The bidding history for the smaller and less complex Tustin sale shows how serious participants hang back until late in the process.

The Tustin auction opened on July 18, 2002.  One bidder jumped in on the first day with a low offer but eventually dropped out of competition when prices rose.

For the next month, there were no additional bids on two of the three parcels.

Only the least expensive parcel saw some activity but the most offered during the first month was less than half of the final sale price.

The real action did not start until September. The winning team held back and did not enter the competition until September 3 - a month and a half after the auction opened.  The second highest bidders joined in even later. Near the end, there were days when up to four bids were received on a parcel. Ultimately, 13 groups put in 96 bids until the auction closed on two lots on September 16 and on the third on the 26th.

Stay tuned.


Daily Pilot, January 11, 2005
"More than just resolutions for '05"

The following is from a Community Commentary column written by Newport Beach Mayor Steven Bromberg.

"There is the issue of all issues? John Wayne Airport. The airport is not in the city of Newport Beach, but as everyone knows who lives here, it may as well be. The airport is owned, managed and operated by the County of Orange.

With respect to the airport, the city has no desire to own, manage or operate it, nor do we want any of its money. Our request is not complicated and relates to two issues. First, as a city we would like to have, for lack of a better term, complete veto power over future airport expansion. What this simply means is, we, the city of Newport Beach, would like to have the say as to any future expansion, including runways, additional runways or expanded runways, because runways relate to additional flights. The second issue is, we would like to have that same veto power on curfews."

"No doubt, the need for future commercial air traffic will exist, and unless there is a second airport in Orange County, there is a strong likelihood that the federal government, including the Federal Aviation Administration, will look to expand John Wayne Airport. If that were to occur today, it would be the County of Orange that would be representing the interests of Newport Beach residents . . .  this city should be working directly with the federal government, and most probably, the airlines, as future issues arise."

Website Editor: Would the Mayor of Newport Beach agree to Irvine having "complete veto power" over El Toro? What would he say to LA Mayor James Hahn, who said of Orange County, "People think just because they live next to it they ought to be the ones to decide"?

And how do the people of Newport Beach feel about a state-mandated regional airport authority taking control over the building and expansion of regional airports including John Wayne?

El Toro Info Site report, January 10, 2005
Los Angeles continues pursuit of El Toro

Tomorrow, the Los Angeles City Council's Commerce, Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee (Tony Cardenas, Janice Hahn and Cindy Miscikowski) has agendized a motion "calling upon the United States Navy and United States Department of Transportation to preserve a national aviation asset by pursuing the City’s offer to lease Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), El Toro, and operate the facility as a civilian passenger and cargo airport."

Meanwhile, there are no bids in the auction of the property and many observers expect little action until the GSA imposes a final 72-hour bidding deadline.

Fullerton News Tribune, January 6, 2005 web posted January 10
"No El Toro for Fullerton"

"'It was so pie in the sky,' said Mayor Shawn Nelson Wednesday after receiving a letter from the federal Department of Transportation [last] Tuesday indicating Fullerton Municipal Airport could not operate a military/civilian airport at El Toro."

"The letter was in response to a communiqué written by Fullerton Councilman [and OCRAA Chairman] Leland Wilson Dec. 7 asking DOT Secretary Norman Mineta to consider leasing the property to Fullerton."

"'The letter says exactly what I expected,' Nelson added. 'It was a waste of time to engage in this whole discussion in the first place. Orange County Regional Airport Authority has been pushing Fullerton for a long time and saw us as a shill. We should be a little more difficult to convince to do someone else's bidding.'"

"'The only thing to come out of it was to create ill will,' Nelson concluded."

Website Editor: When will Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn have a similar enlightenment?

Associated Press, January 9, 2005 - updated
"News briefs from around the state"

"Ontario International Airport's passenger numbers for 2004 could surpass pre-Sept. 11 levels for the first time while setting a record for the facility."

"If the airport did at least as well in December as it did in the same period a year ago, it will have served more than 6.9 million passengers in 2004. About 6.75 million passengers in 2000 traveled through the Ontario airport."

"Los Angeles International Airport is expected to close the year with 61 million annual passengers, still below its 2000 level of 67 million."

"Officials attributed the growth in Ontario to consumer confidence and a $1.5 million marketing and advertising campaign."

"The recent expansion of low-cost carriers such as Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways, traffic congestion around Los Angeles, and the reputation for longer security lines at Los Angeles International Airport also were cited as reasons for Ontario's growth."

Click for more on Ontario's record year from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

Website Editor: John Wayne Airport, the SCAG region's second busiest airport after LAX,  is expected to top 9.2 million passengers this year.  It's growth is attributable to Orange County willingness to lift artificial passenger limits. JWA, like Ontario, also is seeing more travelers because of ground access delays at and around LAX that have not been adequately addressed in Los Angeles.

Burbank Leader, January 8, 2005
"Official eyes regional air plan"
"How the landlocked Bob Hope Airport would or should fit in with such a plan is debatable".

"If Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich . . . .had his way, there would be more commercial flights out of Palmdale as a way to relieve the number of flights and prevent expansion at Los Angeles International Airport."

"The airport has a 9,000-square-foot terminal and 17,000 acres of undeveloped land."

"It's that open space around Palmdale Airport that separates it from the Bob Hope Airport, where there is little to no room for expansion."

"Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority President Charlie Lombardo casts a skeptical eye on the suggestion of regional airport planning, especially in terms of potentially taking control out of local hands. Lombardo said regional planning would be good if it takes pressure off Bob Hope Airport."

"'We are a nice little regional airport.' Lombardo added. 'But someone else deciding your future is not a good thing.'"

Website Editor: Regional planners at SCAG project Burbank passengers to more than double by 2030 despite local opposition. Burbank sentiment against "someone else deciding your future" also applies in Orange County.

Full story . . .

El Toro Info Site report, January 7, 2005
Meanwhile, there's Senate Bill 32

Interested buyers are taking their time and studying their cards before bidding up prices in what has been estimated to be at least a month-long auction. Associated Press quotes a realty officer for the federal government as saying, "Most of the bids aren't expected until after the U.S. General Services Administration announces a closing date for the bids".

Meanwhile, we have shifted focus to post-auction matters like State Senator Richard Alarcon's Senate Bill 32 that would create a Regional Airport Authority. The bill had its first reading in Sacramento this week.

Alarcon's bill is labeled "Los Angeles County Regional Airport Authority". However, its contains strong language on authority powers. "The authority may take by grant, purchase, devise, or lease or otherwise acquire and hold, real and personal property outside its area of jurisdiction in order to further its purposes."

That makes us uncomfortable.

OC Register, January 6, 2005
"No offers made on auction's first day"

"Bidding opened Wednesday on land at the old El Toro Marine base, bringing the proposed Great Park a step closer to reality and all but ending Los Angeles' bid to convert the former base into a commercial airport."

"'Based on client interest, we expect significant developer participation and brisk bidding,' said Wayne Arny, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for installations and environment."

"So far, though, potential bidders apparently are staring intently at their cards."

"That's to be expected, said Pat Remolacio, senior vice president of Colliers Seeley International, the real estate company hired to manage the sale. On such auctions, most bidders shepherd their money until they sense the end is near, he said. An end date for the El Toro auction remains to be determined."

"The company says about 800 companies have registered for information on the old base; of that number, he estimates 25 will become serious bidders."

Click for the full article.

Follow the auction on this website's Bid page.

Los Angeles Daily News Editorial, January 6, 2005
"Who's kidding who? Do-nothing mayor tries to hide his failed air-traffic plan with cheap stunt"

"Mayor James Hahn mustered what little passion he has for public policy with a last-minute grandstand ploy to try to scuttle the long-planned sale of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Orange County for use as parkland and commercial development."

"After a decade of vigorous public debate, Orange County residents flatly rejected using El Toro as a commercial airport so the Navy and Transportation Department moved forward with the sale of the property."

"On Tuesday, 24 hours before the sale, Hahn awakened from his Rip Van Winkle slumber. Without forethought, he suddenly called on the federal government to halt the sale and turn El Toro into a regional airport serving 30 million passengers a year."

"Hahn never took any meaningful steps in this regard and never entered into discussions with Orange County . . . In fact, when he staged his little play Tuesday, he didn't even have the courtesy of contacting any of the officials who actually have a say in the issue."

For the entire editorial.

El Toro Info Site report, January 5, 2005 - update 5:45 PM
The sale begins!

At 9:00 AM this morning, the Heritage Fields auction began. Quotes will be posted in real time and can be monitored on this website at http://www.eltoroairport.org/news/bids.html We will provide periodic summaries on this news page. As of the time above, no bids had been posted.

The auction's start is a long awaited key milestone for airport opponents.

Los Angeles and Fullerton/OCRAA failed to convince the Department of Transportation to take over the property from the Navy and lease it to an airport operator. Kim Day, Executive Director of LAWA acknowledged yesterday that it was important to Los Angeles plans for the land to stay in federal ownership so that Measure W and Irvine zoning would not apply.

El Toro Info Site report, January 5, 2005
Commentary on yesterday's big news

The news that this website broke in several reports throughout the day yesterday appeared in today's papers. Congressman Chris Cox, the Department of the Navy, Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, the Orange County Board of Supervisors, and the City of Irvine all delivered messages telling LA Mayor James Hahn to keep his hands off El Toro.

The following press comments add to what we have already published. Click for full text reports.

The Times headlined: "Navy Rejects Hahn's Plea for El Toro Site . . . his belated pitch met with immediate rejection from federal officials."

"Hahn said that although there is 'a lot of support in Congress for this idea,' he hadn't met with any local congressmen to discuss his most recent proposal. He said that he didn't 'have the names' of Congress members who favored an airport at El Toro."

"'This airport just doesn't belong to people in Orange County,' Hahn said. 'People think just because they live next to it they ought to be the ones to decide.'"

The Register, in one of several reports posted on this website's Early Bird thread said, "Hahn, [Councilman Tony] Cardenas and some of their council colleagues are under pressure to steer Los Angeles International Airport's growth elsewhere. Moreover, they cite figures that some 8.5 million of Los Angeles International Airport's annual passengers are from Orange County." Website Editor: This is an exaggeration. By our calculations, based on LAWA's most recent passenger data, a more accurate estimate is 5.4 MAP.

The Register also quotes "Shawn Nelson, Fullerton mayor, on his city's attempt several weeks back to obtain El Toro as a commercial airport. 'It was stupid of us to get involved in the first place. It's not our issue. Fullerton is not in a position to take a lead on a regional airport.'"

Representative Loretta Sanchez, D-Santa Ana said "'The auction is Wednesday. This thing will be in escrow before Jimmy Hahn ever has a chance to go to court or whatever he's trying to pull. The people of Orange County have already decided three or four different ways that they didn't want an airport, so we'll have to do alternative things to pick up our fair share.'"

The Los Angeles Daily Breeze put the Hahn proposal squarely in the context of the mayoral race: "Hahn's challengers blasted his request, however, saying it is a halfhearted and politically timed effort."

"'I think it's way too late,' said Councilman Bernard Parks, who is running against Hahn. 'It's something that's an afterthought. I think that community has made a clear decision on how they're going to use that property.'

"Added another [mayoral] challenger, Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa: 'It's clearly a last-minute, desperate attempt to paper over his record of failed leadership.'"

The LA Daily News said, "Hahn brought up the El Toro issue after challengers to his re-election said he had not done enough to support a regional air traffic solution while pushing for approval of his $11 billion LAX expansion and modernization plan."


Representative Christoper Cox' office, January 4, 2005
"Cox Rejoinder to Hahn: ‘Hands Off of Orange County’"

U.S. Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and Chairman of the House Policy Committee, today issued a statement excerpted below:

“Fresh from the shock of learning that the Anaheim Angels are being traded to Los Angeles, the Mayor of Los Angeles now wants the federal government to facilitate a hostile takeover of 4,700 acres in the heart of Orange County - for use as an annex for LAX."

“We like our local government in Orange County . . . and we are not going to become a colony of Los Angeles.  Fortunately for Orange County, the Department of the Navy has firmly and finally decided to abide by the decision of Orange County against use of the El Toro base property for an airport."

“Federal base closure law requires the federal government to defer to local judgments about how best to reuse closed military installations such as El Toro.  Orange County voters, and their elected representatives on the Board of Supervisors, have already decided against locating an airport at El Toro.  The federal government is rightly honoring that judgment.  There will be no ‘LAX of Orange County,’ even if we have to suffer the indignity of the ‘Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.’”

El Toro Info Site report, January 4, 2005
Navy says "No" to Hahn

Excerpts from a statement from the US Department of the Navy today in response to a December 20, 2004 letter from Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn:

"In March 2002, after years of intense local debate, Orange County voters expressed their desired reuse for the future of the former MCAS El Toro when they voted, by 58%, in favor of Measure W.  That Measure directed a change to the County's General Plan in favor of use of the property for non-aviation purposes, including a 'Great Park' to be enjoyed by the surrounding Orange County communities." 

"The Navy has worked in very close partnership with the City [of Irvine] to formulate plans for the public sale of the property that are consistent with the clearly expressed will of the local community." 

"As to further inquiries to retain the former MCAS El Toro in a civilian airfield capacity, the US Department of Transportation has previously stated that decisions regarding development of civilian airports rest with local authorities.  The Navy agrees with that view, and has no plan to defer the public sale for the purpose of entering into any negotiations with any party aimed at establishing a civilian airport at El Toro."

El Toro Info Site report, January 4, 2005 - updated
Mineta says "No" to Fullerton scheme

Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta today shot down the City of Fullerton's unlikely bid to run an airport at El Toro. News of the Mineta response came on a day when the City of Los Angeles was floating a renewed attempt to take control of the former airbase away from Orange County for the benefit of LA residents. See story below.

In his responding letter, Secretary Mineta reminded the new Mayor of Fullerton that "As you know, the voters of Orange County passed Measure W that favored non-aviation use of the El Toro air station."

"Department of Transportation does not intend to pursue legislation seeking to convey El Toro to the Department of Transportation for purposes of developing a civilian airport."

Congressman Gary Miller received a similar response to his letter opposing the Fullerton proposal.

El Toro Info Site report, January 4, 2005
Hahn letter to Navy draws Irvine response.

A December 20 letter from LA Mayor James Hahn to Navy Secretary Gordon England lays out a proposal to lease El Toro for airport use under Los Angeles control. Hahn writes, "The only long term solution to relieving the impacts of LAX on its neighbors is to provide additional facilities to handle the growing air passenger needs in other parts of the region." Click here for the Hahn letter.

Today, Hahn and City Councilman Tony Cardenas made a public pitch for the previously unpublished proposal.

The action drew immediate strong response from the City of Irvine where it was blasted as "a desperate attempt to distract voters' attention from Hahn's failure to expand LAX and from the allegations of scandal and mismanagement which plague his administration."

A Navy spokesman said that an announcement would be released shortly, repeating that the El Toro auction will proceed on schedule.

El Toro Info Site report, January 4, 2005
Campbell is new Board Chairman

This morning, after days of speculation and internal discussion, the Board of Supervisors selected Bill Campbell to be its 2005 Chairman. Outgoing Chairman, Tom Wilson, will become vice-Chairman. Congratulations gentlemen! We have the anti-airport leadership that the county needs to face the threat from Los Angeles where interest continues in taking control of El Toro. (See story below.)

The chairmanship selection process involved some strife. Chris Norby has seniority on the Board over Campbell but was left out of a leadership slot for reasons unrelated to the airport. He hoped to be selected as vice-Chair.

Thanks everyone who sent emails urging the supervisors to stick with an anti-airport chairman.

Supervisor Wilson referred to Mayor Hahn's press conference today, regarding El Toro, as "unacceptable and laughable." He was "glad that Los Angeles had its own business so well under control" that it could meddle in other county's business. Wilson asked, "Does Mayor Hahn know better than the residents of this county what is best for Orange County?" Supervisors Norby and Campbell joined in raising cautions regarding LA's moves.


Daily Breeze, January 4, 2005
"Hahn, Cardenas push El Toro airport in eleventh-hour bid"

"Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn and Councilman Tony Cardenas will launch a last-ditch effort today to persuade the federal government to allow the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Orange County to be converted into a regional airport."

"Cardenas, who heads a council committee dealing with Los Angeles International Airport, said he will introduce a resolution asking the U.S. Navy and Department of Transportation to lease the El Toro facility to Los Angeles for use as a passenger and cargo airport."

"'El Toro is vital in reaching true regionalism and is essential in helping reduce traveler gridlock at LAX,' Cardenas said in a prepared statement."

"The significance of the city's initiative is unclear, since neither Hahn nor Cardenas would discuss their effort. But it comes as the mayor is in a difficult battle facing four challengers for re-election, and concern about demand on LAX has become a major issue."

"Hahn . . . brought up the issue of the El Toro facility in the last mayoral debate."

Website Editor: Airport proponents want the federal government to retain ownership of the land and lease it to an airport operator because Orange County non-aviation restrictions then would not apply. Under federal ownership, Great Park zoning and Measure W would become largely moot. ALUC airport-related land use rules on development around the property would stay in place.

The El Toro sale is scheduled to begin on Wednesday and we have seen no indication of a delay.

Click for a related story in the LA Times.

Also today, the City of El Segundo filed suit to block Los Angeles action on its LAX modernization plan. Other cities are expected to join the legal action this week.


OC Register, January 3, 2005
"The Buzz"

"Storm clouds appear to be gathering as county supervisors prepare for Tuesday's selection of their new chairman and vice chair.  Supervisor Chris Norby believes there shouldn't be a vote, saying the largely ceremonial position should simply rotate among members."

"In fact, that was how the post was filled until 1997, when pro-airport supervisors Chuck Smith and Jim Silva successfully argued that 'leadership is not a right' and that supervisors should vote to fill the spot every year." They bumped anti-airport Tom Wilson out of line.

"Supervisor Bill Campbell is the favorite to take over as the next chairman, with outgoing Chairman Tom Wilson the frontrunner for vice chair. While anti-airport people were nervous that Silva might seek the chairmanship, he says he's not interested [this year]."

For more of this piece . . .

Website Editor: This morning, new Supervisor Lou Correa is sworn in to replace Chuck Smith who was termed out.


LA Times, January 2, 2005
"Palmdale Pops Up on Fliers' Radar"
"The reopening of the airport in north Los Angeles County is part of a strategy of shifting flights to outlying facilities from LAX."

"Officials running the four airports in Los Angeles [hope] . . . a new air route between the Antelope Valley and the Las Vegas area will reverse the sagging fortunes of long-closed Palmdale Regional Airport and set in motion an aggressive plan to shift short-haul air traffic away from overburdened Los Angeles International Airport.

"'We're hoping this service grows into something much bigger,' said Cheryl Petersen, president of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, which oversees both the Palmdale airport and LAX."

"'We have the land and the runways. It's a question of matching that with the types of trips people would like to take,' Petersen said."

"Regional planners have long wanted to have commercial service at outlying airports such as Palmdale. But airlines are generally resistant to the idea because of the high costs of opening gates at new facilities."

"Palmdale airport's two 12,000-foot runways, surrounded by desert scrub, are capable of handling the largest commercial airliners."

"Scenic Airlines is the lone occupant of the 9,000-square-foot terminal, which had been shuttered since 1998 because air carriers couldn't make a go of passenger service from Palmdale after more than three decades of trying."

"'LAX is at its limits and overextended,' said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, whose district includes Palmdale. Antonovich and others have pushed heavily for regional flights to destinations such as the Bay Area, Sacramento, Phoenix and Las Vegas to be shifted away from LAX."


El Toro Info Site report
2004 - THE EL TORO YEAR IN REVIEW


The long fight over El Toro has consumed ten years since 1994 when Measure A was narrowly approved by voters and headed the former military base towards commercial aviation reuse. After three more ballot measures, the battle continues but El Toro moves closer to a non-aviation future.

Here are a few of the stories that made the El Toro Info Site headlines this year.

JANUARY - Irvine receives final Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approval to annex the El Toro property and bring it under city Great Park zoning.

FEBRUARY - ETRPA and the Airport Working Group reach a "global settlement" ending several lawsuits including the last challenge to anti-airport Measure W.

APRIL - The Southern California Association of Governments, SCAG adopts a 2004 Regional Transportation Plan, omitting El Toro airport.

MAY - The Navy temporarily switches gears and announces that El Toro will be sold piecemeal rather than in one auction.

JUNE - Los Angeles World Airport releases a long-awaited 2001 passenger study revealing that 9.9 percent of passengers at LAX were visitors or residents going to or from Orange County. This supports the website's estimates of OC passenger volume and debunks higher claims by El Toro proponents.

The Airport Working Group ends its unsuccessful litigation against the Irvine annexation.

The Board of Supervisors removes Supervisor Chuck Smith as the County representative to SCAG for supporting a proposal to put El Toro under Los Angeles control.

JULY - Newport Beach efforts to buy John Wayne Airport gets a cool reception from supervisors.

AUGUST - The Navy again shifts gears and decides to sell the entire base at one auction.

        The business of providing trees for the Great Park becomes a big campaign issue in the Irvine election.

SEPTEMBER - A "consensus plan" for modernizing LAX emerges but the airlines and FAA withhold comment on limiting the airport's passenger capacity. Controversy over the LAX plan fuels renewed discussion of El Toro as part of a "regional airport solution".

OCTOBER - The federal government announces that the El Toro auction will begin in January 2005 with close of escrow by July.

NOVEMBER - Invitations for Bids are released for the El Toro sale. Minimum opening bid is set at $525 million.

        There is renewed talk of a state-mandated regional airport authority with power to force a commercial airport at El Toro.         A former El Segundo mayor, Los Angeles City, LA County and SCAG officials are considering the proposal.

DECEMBER - State Senator Alarcon introduces a regional airport bill in the Legislature.

        Fullerton asks the Secretary of Transportation to allow the city to run El Toro airport. It’s a bad idea that goes nowhere.

        Board of Supervisors rescinds the old El Toro Environmental Impact Reports and begins to raise defenses against regional         intrusion in OC's land use control.

PREDICTIONS FOR 2005:

The El Toro auctions begins. However, transfer of title to the property and removal of the Airport Land Use Commission's development restrictions around the base will drag on.

It will be several years before anything substantial enough to block an airport is built at El Toro. Pro-airport forces will use the time to attempt final resuscitation of the project.

Efforts to divert much of the region's future air passenger growth from LAX to other airports will fuel the drive for a commercial airport at El Toro. Political leaders from Los Angeles, with some Orange County support, will push legislation for an airport under Los Angeles control. 

If state legislation creating such a regional authority passes, and is signed by the Governor, the El Toro fight will continue indefinitely.

Otherwise, the war will be over. ETRPA will close up shop. This El Toro Info website will wind down as a daily news source. Happy New Year.


Click here for last month's news stories