News - 1996
News - 1996Orange County Register, December 25, 1996
"Airport Curfew Not Board's Call"
"Supervisors apparently promised south county more than they can deliver...when
they pledged to include a nightime curfew" in their plans for an airport
at El Toro. "County Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier said officials knew
the county had no authority to impose the airport curfew" but included
the language anyway as a "guideline". In 1990, Congress passed the Airport
Noise and Capacity Act which "eliminates the ability of local governments
to pass most restrictions... including the kind discussed by the Supervisors."
Bill Kogerman of Taxpayers for Responsible Planning and Larry Agran of
Project '99 joined in blasting the Supervisors for apparently pretending
to offer an undeliverable concession to El Toro neighbors. See "Timeline...Where
we are Now" page for a discussion of the Supervisors other "concessions".
Text of the Supervisors Resolution shows what they actually voted.
Orange County Register, December 21,
1996
"High-Speed Railway May Pass O.C. Via Riverside
Route."
"California took a step toward a high-speed rail system this month
but Orange County is not on board. While Orange County officials focused
on an El Toro airport, the Intercity High Speed Rail Commission ... opted
to by-pass Orange County" and run the 676 mile long San Diego - San Francisco
- Sacramento train line through Riverside County. Belatedly, the Orange
County Transportation Authority, which had failed to press for the service
to come through this county, "may ask for reconsideration" but it will
be "an uphill battle." Riverside officials had "actively courted" the rail
link.
Larry Agran, head of anti-airport Project '99, is quoted as blaming "the knuckleheads in county leadership" for "distracted and dysfunctional leadership" causing the missed opportunity. "High-speed rail, which could carry passenger and light freight ... to San Francisco in less than three hours could eliminate the need for another airport."
(March Air Force Base, which critics of the El Toro airport project point to as a more sensible alternative site for an international airport serving the the southland, is located in Riverside County, near the proposed rail line.) Click here SCAG's feasibility study on March AFB as an Airport.
Los Angeles Times, December 18, 1996
"El Toro Foes' Anger Feeding Talk of Boycott"
Angered by the Board of Supervisors' decision to go ahead with plans
for an international airport, "a growing number of residents and officials
are starting to turn their anger into economic reprisal." Calls are being
heard to not shop in Newport Beach, where airport support is centered,
and at South Coast Plaza where the management has backed the El Toro project.
Taxpayers for Responsible planning will ask members where they stand on
a boycott at the groups January 13 meeting. (See
TRP Newsletter) At a recent meeting, "mass efforts to demand the Orange
County assessor's office reassess property values" were urged, in view
of the impact of an airport on home prices. See
Home Values , in the "Issues Section" of this website.
Los Angeles Times, December 13, 1996
"Major LAX Expansion to be Urged. Officials will
unveil plan to increase passenger travel 60% by 2015 to maintain position
as business, travel hub."
The project is expected to cost "as much as $12 billion to fund the
new runways, terminals, roads and internal rail." Los Angeles City Councilwoman
Ruth Galanter "protested that officials of Los Angeles and Orange counties
are not coordinating their efforts to handle the increasing air traffic."
"Local officials also have no idea whether thousands of additional airplanes
flying over Southern California will create greater danger, because FAA
officials have declined to speak definitively on the situation, Galanter
said.
On November 6, the Times Business section reported that Ontario Airport has begun a $300 million building program. See the Links section of the web site for the Home Pages of Ontario and other area airports.
Los Angeles Times, December 12, 1996
"El Toro Airport Plan Approved, Some Concessions
Made to Appease S. County"
In one of the most critical and controversial land-use decisions in
Orange County history, the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday endorsed building
an international airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Supervisors
who favored the airport in the 4-1 vote said they tried to strike a compromise
by going ahead with the airport planning process while considering restrictions
to protect South County neighborhoods. "I don't know what we could have
done to be more fair," said Supervisor Don Saltarelli. But supervisors
recognized that nothing short of rejecting the airport proposal outright
would satisfy residents in South County, where worries over airport noise,
traffic and air pollution caused deep resentment toward North County, where
support for the airport is centered. "This will still be a bitter
pill for South County," acknowledged Supervisor William G. Steiner, whose
district includes Disneyland and other tourist destinations that lobbied
hard for an airport. "But the best deal has been cut."
After listening to more than 10 hours of emotional and sometimes hostile testimony from elected officials, activist groups and South County residents, the supervisors crafted a list of "concessions", including:
According to a Times editorial, "The local planning process in recent weeks has been eye-opening, even for those accustomed to the cozy workings of county government. The El Toro approval has been the consummate exhibition of the county apparatchiks' dexterity at reaching predetermined conclusions."
Los Angeles Times, December 8, 1996 --
Metro Section Editorial
"Put El Toro Plans in a Holding Pattern. International
Airport for the Site Should be Rejected"
Los Angeles' leading newspaper states, "The supervisors should back
off the fast track being laid for them by the well-heeled and relentless
agitators for the international airport proposal." "There is a hard-core
but very small group of people within the business, development and county
government axis who are passionate for (the airport project). (They have)
accelerated this issue in hopes of getting the county to sign off as quickly
as possible. Outside of these groups, the solid support for a big airport
at El Toro exists only in Newport Beach, which makes little attempt to
mask its true agenda, the closure of John Wayne Airport." (click
here for the full story)
Los Angeles Times, December 4, 1996
"New Group Says Business Surveys Show Opposition
to Airport at El Toro Base"
"The Anaheim-based American Electronics Assn. polled the heads of its
170 member firms" and found that of the respondents, "64% opposed an airport,
with another 10% asking the County Board of Supervisors to delay its base
reuse planning process to study some troubling issues." (Click
here for full survey results) Also, Irvine-based Rainbow Technologies,
Inc. found 78% of its employees "opposed an airport, citing concerns about
noise, traffic, pollution and safety." (Executives of the software company,
which helped found the Orange
County Business Coalition, stated that "Air pollution, high noise levels,
increased traffic, longer commute times and general airport blight will
make it increasingly difficult to recruit and maintain quality employees
who want to live and work in the area." Rainbow could be forced to relocate,
causing a loss of high paying jobs.)
Los Angeles Times, November 28, 1996
"EPA Proposes Tough Limits on Soot, Smog"
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "unveiled a far-reaching proposal
to strengthen standards" for urban smog and airborne particles. Executive
Officer, James Lent, of the Air Quality
Management District, that includes Orange County, is quoted as saying,
"The real brunt of the blow from these standards is what we are going to
do with cars and trucks and airplanes and ships and trains." The EPA will
seek public comment before implementation of the new rules in June, 1997.
Orange County Register, November 14, 1996
"O.C. Residents to Navy: Don't Put Airport at El
Toro Base"
"More than 325 residents showed up" at the first of two Navy Department
meetings which invited public input to the Marine's own Environmental Impact
Study process. "Most of the nearly 50 speakers urged (Navy) officials to
disregard the county's study." Lake Forest resident Eric Walther, an atmospheric
specialist, cited research studies on environmental impacts and told the
Marine representatives that "It would not do justice to follow in the footsteps
of Orange County's unfortunate and unconscionable performance." He, and
others, expressed confidence that the Marines would do a more professional
and less political job. (See the Reuse
Timeline section of the web site for the Department of Navy Environmental
Impact Study timetable and information on submitting written comments to
the Navy.)
Los Angeles Times, November 14, 1996
"FAA Finds No Bar to Civilian El Toro Airport"
" 'Based on available data, a civil aviation reuse is feasible,' said
Herman C. Bliss, manager of the FAA's Western-Pacific Regional Airports
Division." However, the project must be approved by the Supervisors, the
Navy and undergo additional FAA scrutiny. Critics immediately lambasted
the FAA official for playing politics.
Orange County Register, November 13, 1996
"Comments on Base Plan Raise Some Major Issues"
"Water, transportation and safety officials say report on airport doesn't
consider vital services". Metrolink noted in its response that the airport
proposal "creates a rail crunch". The Metropolitan Water District objected
to the exclusion of a previously planned water pipeline through the base,
and stated that "The MCAS El Toro Community Reuse Plan threatens the long-range
water supply of Orange County." Sheriff Brad Gates offered "his most critical
comments for the county's refusal to grant a 250-acre jail site" on the
base property, stating that "it would provide up to 2,000 secure new jobs
and would provide additional security to the community."
Los Angeles Times, November 7, 1996
"O.C. Supervisors. Victors Part Company on Plans
for El Toro Base"
Charles V. Smith, who "edged out opponent Mark Leyes by 2,200 votes"
to replace Roger Stanton in District 1, is quoted as saying "There will
be an airport...The people of South County need to accept that and begin
to work with us on what concessions they would like to see." In the 3rd
District, Todd Spitzer will replace Don Santarelli. He is quoted as stating,
"The El Toro airport would have a devastating effect on residents in the
southern part of the county. I will not support it."
Los Angeles Times, Business Section, November
6, 1996
"Ascending to a New Era, Ontario Airport Symbolizes
Area at Crossroads"
Ontario Airport has begun a $300 million building program. "The region's
airports accommodate some 74 million passengers a year now and will have
to handle twice that number within 20 years - hopefully with the aid of
a new international airport in Orange County."
Orange County Register, Novermber 4, 1996
"El Toro Study Process Revisited By Navy"
"Now the Navy must compile its own environmental impact report." The
Navy is required under federal law to perform an environmental impact study
and citizens are invited to provide input as to its scope.
Wall Street Journal, November 1, 1996
Brazilian Plane Crash Kills 104
"A Brazilian airliner crashed in a residential area of Sao Paulo, killing
all 96 aboard and setting fires that claimed at least eight lives on the
ground. The Fokker-100, operated by the regional airline TAM, crashed about
a mile from the airport from which it took off on a flight to Rio de Janeiro.
Authorities had no theory about the cause."
Los Angeles Times, October 25, 1996
"Planners Say El Toro Report is Best It Can Be"
"They say that unless the county commits to an airport, the details
critics find lacking can't be supplied." A county attorney told the El
Toro Citizens Advisory Board that it is "not feasible" to provide the details
on traffic and noise that the public is requesting , until after the Board
of Supervisors choses a reuse alternative for MCAS El Toro.
Los Angeles Times, October 24, 1996
"Irvine Co. Criticizes County's Report on El Toro"
The Irvine Company is criticizing Orange County's environmental analysis
of proposals for El Toro, saying "it lacks the planning detail needed to
make an informed decision on the base's future."
Los Angeles Times, October 18, 1996
"Pollution Rules Fly Right Past Airports"
The Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group, has
released a report titled "Flying Off Course: Environmental Impacts of America's
Airports". It says that commercial aircraft produce 10% of the air pollution
in the South Coast Basin. See their website at http://www.nrdc.org/
Los Angeles Times, October 17, 1996
"AQMD Cites Flaws in O. C.'s El Toro Report"
Air quality official says airport would likely hike emissions, not
reduce them as the Draft EIR claims. "The county should have compared a
commercial airport to a dormant base", the AQMD said.
Orange County Register, October 15, 1996
"Pilots Wave Off Easternly Departures from El Toro"
"The nation's 44,000 major-airline pilots will steadfastly oppose commercial
flights at El Toro if the county insists on easterly takeoffs, because
the pilots contend such takeoffs would be unsafe." The pilots position,
which conflicts with the County Reuse Plan, would put more planes over
central and north county. Click
here for the full report.
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