Project '99 Newsletter, May 1997
A Note from Larry Agran Chair of Project ’99
Dear Neighbor,
How do you beat a bad idea? With some good ideas.
Make no mistake about it: El Toro International Airport is a very bad idea. Through our research and education, Project ’99 is demonstrating that a commercial airport at El Toro would be an economic and environmental disaster for Orange County. In the months and years ahead, our “Friend of the Court” briefs (see article, page 2) will state the case against El Toro International Airport in plain, hard-hitting language that the courts and the general public will appreciate.
But when we founded Project ’99, we knew that just saying “no” to the airport wouldn’t be enough. We had to beat a bad idea with some good ideas — we had to create a positive vision for the non-aviation reuse of El Toro. That process began with last month’s newsletter, when we invited Project ’99’s supporters to “Imagine the Possibilities” — and then respond to our comprehensive survey about a non-aviation future for El Toro.
This month, we continue the process by reporting on the preliminary survey results, and encouraging even wider citizen participation. As this month’s lead article proclaims, let’s say “yes!” to the future. But let’s be sure we shape the future in a way that makes us all proud.
Supporters Say “Yes!” to the Future
By the hundreds, Project ’99 supporters are enthusiastically responding to our survey on non-aviation uses for El Toro
After months — even years — of saying “no” to a commercial airport at El Toro, Project ’99 supporters are now stepping forward to say “yes” to a safe, productive, non-aviation future for the Marine Corps Base at El Toro. Last month, Project ’99’s newsletter included a “Survey of Supporters.” The survey asked supporters to grade various non-aviation uses that could be implemented at El Toro when the Marine Corps leaves, in 1999. The survey’s instructions noted that the 4700-acre Marine Corps Base is a vast tract of land that can accommodate an impressive mixture of uses, provided that the County’s ill-conceived airport proposal is finally abandoned.
The response to Project ’99’s survey has been overwhelming. More than 500 responses have been received so far, with more arriving in the mail every day. Preliminary results of the survey indicate strong support for educational and civic reuse options for the property — a college campus, a major education center, and an Orange County central library. Also enjoying popular support are an arts and entertainment center, museums, and cultural attractions.
Survey respondents are very supportive of setting aside some of the El Toro property for parklands and recreational uses. The idea of an Orange County Central Park appears to be very popular. Also popular is the proposal to create an open space and wildlife preserve. While passive uses for El Toro draw solid support, so do more active recreational uses such as golf courses and ball fields.
Respondents to the Project ’99 survey seem to sense the need for an economic infrastructure to support a non-aviation mixed-use plan for El Toro. Respondents favor creation of a high-tech research and development center — enlarging and extending the business development underway in the Irvine Spectrum, and building upon the “railport” that is already there as well. Those responding to the survey so far seem to support a “pedestrian-friendly” 21st century downtown, a major motion picture studio, and hospital and health care facilities. Respondents are apparently less supportive of commercial proposals to erect a major sports stadium, a retail shopping area, a general industrial park, and an amusement park.
Some of the alternative reuse options are unpopular. Chief among these is a correctional facility. But survey respondents are also cool to the idea of setting aside a part of El Toro for a cemetery. (One respondent noted approvingly, however, that a cemetery would be a nice quiet alternative to an airport!) Respondents expressed little interest in residential development at El Toro.
We take this opportunity to thank our many Project ’99 supporters who responded to the survey. We also thank the scores of respondents who indicated that they wanted to join a task force we’re organizing to further study non-aviation uses for the El Toro property. We will be working with public agencies and other volunteer groups to convene this important task force in the near future.
Tides Center Gives OK for Project ’99 “Friend of the Court” Strategy
Project ’99 is an affiliated project of the Tides Center, a registered public charity that is nationally respected for its sponsorship of efforts to build healthy, environmentally secure communities. We are pleased to announce that the Tides Center has given the go-ahead to Project ’99’s “Friend of the Court” legal strategy. Under this strategy, Project ’99 will file Friend of the Court briefs, also known as amicus curiae, as cases challenging the legality of an El Toro Airport move up from the trial courts. These briefs will permit us to provide information and research from our study teams — helping the appellate courts to reach fair and equitable decisions which honor environmental protection laws. Project ’99’s amicus curiae strategy offers a cost-effective means for the voices of thousands of citizens to be heard in state and federal courts.
Currently, there are four active cases concerning the County’s plans to convert El Toro to an international airport. In Lake Forest, Irvine, et al. vs. County of Orange, several Orange County cities filed suit, challenging the legality of the County’s environmental impact report (EIR) on El Toro. A second lawsuit, Taxpayers for Responsible Planning vs. County of Orange, also challenged the validity of the EIR. In an earlier action, Lake Forest, Irvine, et al. vs. County of Orange (Measure A), a number of Orange County cities are challenging the legality of Measure A, the November 1994 ballot initiative that passed on a 51% to 49% vote and mandated the conversion of the El Toro Marine Corps Base to an international airport. Finally, in a strange twist, in County of Orange vs. City of Irvine, the Orange County Board of Supervisors filed suit against Irvine for approving non-aviation development on land controlled by the city at the El Toro site.
As these cases — and many others sure to come in the next few years — progress through the court system, Project ’99’s Friend of the Court strategy will allow us to petition the courts with information and arguments to help defend our community. In the coming months, we will be providing more details about our Project ’99 Friend of the Court strategy.
The Bulletin Board
March Press Briefing a Success: Project ’99’s March press conference initiated our series of regular monthly briefings. These monthly press briefings focus on specific aspects of the dangerous proposal to convert the Marine Corps Base at El Toro to a commercial airport.
The March 28th press briefing featured Todd Thornton, a pilot for a major commercial airline. Thornton, an Orange County resident and respected critic of the propsed El Toro International Airport, presented a detailed analysis of the overwhelming safety concerns posed by a commercial airport at El Toro. Thornton’s presentation received prominent coverage in the Los Angeles Times (including publication of a new map showing the takeoff patterns over central and northern Orange County). An excellent article also appeared in the Irvine World News.
Meet the Press Again…in May: Project ’99’s May press briefing will be held at our regular venue — the University Club at UCI (Berkeley Road and Los Trancos).
The May press briefing is part of Project ’99’s continuing commitment to educate the community concerning the unneeded, unwanted, unworkable, and unaffordable international airport proposed for El Toro. The May press briefing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 30th. The briefing is open to the public. It will be followed by a buffet luncheon, which will provide an informal setting for Project ’99 friends and supporters to learn more and exchange ideas about a non-aviation future for El Toro. The luncheon is $10. If you are interested in attending the May press briefing, please call us at (714) 559-5423. Space is limited.
The Website: For information on current developments concerning the El Toro conversion, we encourage occasional visits to the website at http://www.eltoroairport.org. Project ’99 is one of several groups contributing to the website, which is managed and edited by Leonard Kranser.
Project ’99 is a special project of the Tides Center, a duly registered public charity. Donations to Project ’99/Tides Center are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Project ’99 Newsletter Director of Communications, Karen Byers Director of Media, Alan Ellstrand
Project ’99 • PO Box 252 • Irvine CA 92650 • Phone (714) 559-5423