MCAS EL TORO UPDATE FALL 1998
In each edition of the City Newsletter, the Mayor and City Council have promised to provide an update of the County’s proposal to convert MCAS El Toro to a major commercial airport. The Laguna Niguel City Council has consistently and unanimously opposed the proposed airport.
Times O.C. Poll Finds Support for Millennium Plan, New Ballot Measure
A May 1998 Times Orange County Poll found strong voter support for the Millennium Plan, the official non-aviation reuse proposal for MCAS El Toro. The survey also revealed that nearly two of every three respondents think that Countywide voters should have another chance to vote on whether to put a commercial airport at the Marine base when it closes in 1999.
The Times Poll results parallel those of the earlier UCI Annual Orange County Survey which found diminishing support for the proposed commercial airport at MCAS El Toro, and considerable dissatisfaction with the way the County is handling the reuse planning process.
Key findings of the Times Poll include:
56% support the non-aviation Millennium Plan for MCAS El Toro
65% favor holding a new election and putting the MCAS El Toro commercial airport proposal before voters again
59% believe that Orange County will not suffer in the long-term without a commercial airport at MCAS El Toro
69% believe that a commercial airport at MCAS El Toro will create excessive noise for residents living in surrounding communities
46% disapprove of the way that the Orange County Board of Supervisors and staff are handling the MCAS El Toro reuse planning issue
The Times Orange County Poll was conducted by Baldassare Associates. The random telephone survey of 600 registered voters throughout the County was conducted May 14-17, 1998. The margin of error is plus or minus 4%.
County Unveils, Narrows Airport Plan Alternatives
In April 1998, the County’s MCAS El Toro Master Development Program team unveiled four alternative planning concepts for a major commercial airport at MCAS El Toro. Concepts A, B, C and D each set forth a different set of airport roles and service levels for MCAS El Toro and John Wayne Airport.
Concept A plans MCAS El Toro as a domestic passenger and cargo airport supporting medium-haul (1500 miles or less), long-haul (over 1500 miles) and limited international service to western Canada and Mexico. By the Year 2020, this scenario projects that MCAS El Toro would serve 19 million annual passengers, and accommodate 252,400 annual airplane arrivals and departures. John Wayne Airport would continue to serve short-haul (500 miles or less), medium-haul (1500 miles or less) and general aviation operations, and accommodate 6 million annual passengers.
Concept B foresees MCAS El Toro as a full-service international and cargo airport. By 2020, the proposed airport would serve 28.8 million annual passengers, and 300,600 annual aircraft operations. JWA would serve general aviation, short-haul, medium-haul and limited long-haul passenger flights, and accommodate 5.4 million annual passengers.
Concept C envisions MCAS El Toro and John Wayne Airport functioning as an integrated, two-airport system linked by a passenger and baggage transportation system or people mover. MCAS El Toro would serve all medium-haul, long-haul, international and cargo flights. By 2020, it is estimated that the airport would serve 24 million annual passengers, and 186,100 annual aircraft operations. JWA would serve general aviation and short-haul passenger flights, and support 9.5 million annual passengers.
Concept D proposes MCAS El Toro as the only commercial airport in Orange County providing all short, medium and long-haul and international passenger and cargo service. By the year 2020, the airport would serve 33.5 million annual passengers, and 337,000 annual aircraft arrivals and departures. JWA would transition to a general aviation-only airport, and would provide no commercial passenger service.
MCAS El Toro encompasses approximately 4700 acres of land. Each of the proposed plans would require 2,000 to 2,300 acres for commercial airport and related support facilities. All plans set aside 1,100 acres in the northeast corner of the military base for a habitat reserve. Each plan dedicates the remaining acreage to various types of commercial, entertainment, office, industrial and recreational facilities.
Each of the proposed airport plans retains the x-shaped, crossing runway configuration that currently exists at MCAS El Toro. As a result, each plan contemplates nearly all arriving aircraft landing from a south-to-north direction over Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Leisure World, Lake Forest and Irvine.
After review, the Board of Supervisors selected Concept C as its proposed project for full environmental review and analysis. Concept B was also chosen as a primary project alternative, and will be analyzed to the same level of environmental detail as Concept C. Concept A will only be considered as a secondary alternative, and Concept D has been dismissed from further consideration and analysis.
The County is now proceeding with the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the various airport alternatives, as well as the non-aviation Millennium Plan. The Draft EIR is scheduled to be completed and circulated for public review and comment in Summer 1999. Other Information
For MCAS El Toro information from other interested persons and organizations, visit the “El Toro Airport Info” web site on the Internet (http://www.eltoroairport.org) and the County’s MCAS El Toro Development Program web site (http://www.eltormdp.org)