PRESS RELEASE


ETRPA Questions County's Logic.  Doubts Motives.

IRVINE, CA -- September 29, 1999 - The eight cities comprising the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA) today denounced Orange County Supervisor Cynthia Coad's latest scheme for an 18 million annual passenger (MAP) airport at El Toro. The 18 MAP airport is not a smaller El Toro, simply a repackaging of the existing airport concept. The projected size has always been 18 MAP by 2010. "The county is trying to deceive the public by implying that they are reducing the size of El Toro. They have vacillated between a 38 MAP, 33 MAP, 24 MAP, 28 MAP and now an 18 MAP airport. The fifth time is not the charm. The airport is dead and we need to work together to develop the best non-aviation plan for El Toro," stated ETRPA Chairman Susan Withrow. "An airport at El Toro is not in the best interest of Orange County. It is not needed nor appropriate for the site, and there are much better uses for the property."

ETRPA leaders cite the county's ever-changing airport plans as a clear indication that the process is in serious jeopardy and that there is no demonstrated need nor demand for two airports, just seven miles apart, in the smallest county in Southern California.

ETRPA bases their criticism on recent discussions with aviation officials that indicate an airport at El Toro is logistically and economically infeasible especially in the context of a two airport system.

ETRPA Vice Chairman, Allan Songstad, who has debated Supervisor Coad on the airport issue, comments that Coad's notion that an airport at El Toro will somehow solve air quality and traffic problems in Anaheim, is both illogical and unfounded. "The supervisor seems to be under the misguided assumption that building a second airport seven miles from John Wayne will 'help move people and goods around Orange County'. Unless she expects people and goods to get to this area in a vacuum tube, her argument just doesn't make sense."

The El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA) was the first Local Redevelopment Agency established by the Department of the Navy when the base closed in 1993. ETRPA developed the Millennium Plan, as the official non-aviation reuse plan for El Toro. This plan recently won both the local and state awards by the American Planning Association for best urban land use plan. Currently, member cities include Irvine, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods and Dana Point.  Recent affiliate members include the Rancho Santa Margarita Civic Association.

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