FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lisa Smith (714) 834-3550 or  James Campbell (714) 412-2329

April 9, 2002

(Santa Ana, CA) Vice Chairman Tom Wilson and Supervisor Chuck Smith were in Washington, D.C. last week to discuss the future of the former MCAS El Toro. In a meeting with the Pentagon on Thursday, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, H.T. Johnson, outlined the Department of the Navy’s position in the wake of Measure W.

The Navy believes it has met its obligations for El Toro under the Base Realignment and Closure Act over the last nine years, and is intent on divesting itself of the property without further delay. The Navy is looking to the General Services Agency (GSA) to act as its real estate agent to dispose of the property. The Navy is steadfast toward this objective.

The Navy has no interest in reconstituting the Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) comprised of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and has every intention of having the County of Orange involved in the disposal of El Toro. Secretary Johnson was very clear in his message, "Everyone is welcome to visit, but the Navy is only dealing with one entity, the LRA".

In a meeting last Wednesday with the Marine Corps Commandant, General Jim Jones, he outlined the potential of relocating the Marine Corps Recruitment Depot from San Diego to El Toro. This is a concept currently being contemplated by some Members of Congress, as well as General Jones, who must reach a decision prior to the release of the Navy Record of Decision (ROD) on April 23^rd. The response of Orange County residents is essential to a final decision on a relocation process. The Supervisors agreed to gauge the reaction of the local community regarding this prospect and report back to the Commandant as soon as practical.

The LRA meeting on April 16^th will be the final opportunity for the County to coalesce. It is our intent for the LRA to emerge unified in an effort to maximize the public benefits associated with the reuse and prevent an impending piecemeal sale of El Toro by the GSA. The Navy is on course to meet its previously stated deadline of April 23^rd and issue a ROD that will outline the ultimate reuse for El Toro. The White House has indicated that the County has the support from the Bush Administration to work towards building a local consensus. Over the next week, the County will be preparing for the meeting on April 16^th. In this meeting, the objective is to establish a reuse concept that the LRA can endorse and will represent a consensus of the various interested organizations throughout the County.

If it is determined by Secretary Johnson that the GSA will sell the entire base, he would ask the LRA to remain engaged. In this case, the Navy would take over the Master Lease and absolve the County of its financial and legal responsibilities. Under this scenario, the Navy agreed that the current leases the County has entered into within the Master Lease would be honored and respected within the confines of a potential sale.

The Navy is focused on removing the El Toro property from the books, and its mission is to put dollars back into the Navy’s coffers. With the passage of Measure W, Supervisors Wilson and Smith have shifted focus and are working together to ensure an ultimate reuse that will benefit the entire county.

Secretary Johnson will be talking with Supervisors Smith and Wilson following the meeting on April 16^th, but prior to issuing the ROD on April 23^rd.