TRP NEWS, January 1998, Edited for web site publication

County Tries “Foot in Door”
Joint Use at El Toro

The Orange County Board of Supervisors has escalated their effort to place a massive commercial airport at El Toro with their decision to promote flying commercial cargo jets before the Marines leave in mid-1999. On December 16, the Board voted 3 to 2 (with Supervisors Wilson and Spitzer opposing) to begin discussions with the military, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the air cargo industry about having cargo flights at the base.

“We are outraged by the high-handed arrogance of the Board majority. Clearly, they are desperately trying to promote their mega-airport using any means possible and without any concern for the residents of the surrounding area,” said Denny Harris, TRP Director.

TRP is particularly concerned about the nature of commercial cargo flights and the impacts on the local communities. Cargo flights are typically scheduled during the night hours, when noise is magnified and the effects on residents are the greatest. Sleep depravation is a particular concern, especially in the Leisure World area.

“This is a blatant attempt by the airport backers to get their foot in the door for commercial flights out of El Toro. Once they start commercial cargo flights, they will never stop them. TRP will fight any attempts to fly commercial jets from El Toro, now, next year and forever,” said TRP Executive Director Bill Kogerman.

Both local newspapers were quick to condemn the Board action. The Los Angeles Times decried the decision as counterproductive to recent attempts to reach compromises on the planning process. The Orange County Register said, “some airport supporters persist in trying to push the project forward at a speed that outpaces the mechanics of sound and evenhanded study of all the options.”

The major obstacle to the County plans is an existing federal law written by Congressman Chris Cox. This law, passed in 1990, states that, “the Secretary of the Navy may not enter into any agreement that provides for . . . or allows civilian aircraft to regularly use” the base. Congressman Cox has indicated that he is willing to listen to County representatives about how to interpret his legislation.

“It is critical that all TRP members and supporters contact Congressman Cox and tell him that he must stand firm on his legislation, that he must not waiver from opposing joint use at El Toro,” said Kogerman. (See the story on page 3 for details on how to contact Congressman Cox and what to say.)

TRP will be exploring the legal requirement for any joint use and is prepared to fight any attempts in court. In addition, a TRP delegation is scheduled to go to Washington, DC for discussions with the FAA and the military to explain why joint use is not an acceptable option for El Toro.

Final Ruling on EIR “Significant Victory”

On January 7, Judge Judith McConnell of the San Diego Superior Court issued her remedy requiring Orange County to correct major deficiencies in the El Toro Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Judge McConnell ordered the County to rewrite portions of the EIR concerning air quality, traffic, noise mitigation and impacts on threatened and endangered species.

“We are delighted that Judge McConnell has ordered the County to finally come clean and tell the public the real impacts of their airport plans. Judge McConnell has ordered the County to redo a substantial portion of their EIR covering all of the key issues. If the County bureaucrats consider this a ‘fix-it ticket’, they have not learned anything. Judge McConnell clearly gutted their plan. This is not a broken taillight, it is a judicial demand for a whole new drive train,” said TRP Executive Director Bill Kogerman.

“While I was hoping that the Judge would appropriately apply the death penalty to this monster, I have to be satisfied that at least she sentenced this project to a major reanalysis under additional public scrutiny. This is a significant victory for TRP and for the taxpayers of Orange County,” added Kogerman.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors had previously voted 3-2 to appeal Judge McConnell’s preliminary decision. TRP is currently studying all options with regards to appeals and cross-appeals.

Coto de Cazas Rally
Rescheduled for Saturday, March 14th

Due to an unanticipated delay in the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA) non-aviation reuse planning process, the date for TRP, Inc.’s informational meeting and rally on reuse options has been changed from January 17 to March 14.

“We hope we haven’t caused any inconvenience, but since the conceptual non-aviation plans will not be approved before February 7, we would only be speculating on final design concepts. It’s better to delay this exciting rally until March 14, when we can provide the most accurate and current information,” said Bill Kogerman.

The rally will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and includes appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. There will be informational displays and guests are invited to discuss their concerns with elected officials from throughout the County. The cost is $125 per person. Please call John Zarian at 459-5530 for tickets and information.

This fundraiser is critical to the continued success of the airport redevelopment education program for TRP Inc. As mentioned in the story on the EIR lawsuit, the Board of Supervisors has already voted to appeal Judge McConnell’s decision. Unfortunately, appeals cost money, at least $50,000 according to our latest estimates.

The initial EIR lawsuit was funded, in large part, by the successful No Jets! fundraiser held last July at the Ritz Carlton. That fundraiser, and contributions by loyal TRP members, allowed TRP to fund the best attorneys available and to mount the most aggressive legal strategy possible. TRP must follow up this victory with a powerful education program.

Don’t let the County steal our legal victory in the Court of Appeals. TRP needs a successful event on March 14th to guarantee that our legal efforts will continue to be the best that money can buy.

ETRPA Studies Non-Aviation Reuses

The formal effort to determine the best non-aviation reuse plan for El Toro has begun in earnest. The El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA) has been officially designated as the agency to develop the non-aviation plan that will be submitted to the federal government for use in determining the ultimate disposition of the El Toro site.

The ETRPA sponsored planning began in November and is expected to produce a final plan by April. Four citizens subcommittees and one master committee are supervising the effort. Three preliminary plans have been presented for further analysis and refinement.

TRP is an active participant in the ETRPA planning. Several TRP members are on the various subcommittees and TRP is a charter member of the master committee. In addition, many of the reuse options being discussed were developed by TRP.

As the reuse plans are further developed, they will be presented and discussed in future newsletters.

TRP Seeking Office

TRP is still seeking a central office for operations. TRP needs an office to coordinate the efforts of volunteers and to serve as a focal point for information distribution.

The office should be at least 750 square feet and located in the Lake Forest/Laguna Hills area. If any of our members are aware of affordable office space that meets these requirements, please contact the TRP office at 770-4014.

Tell Chris Cox – No Joint Use!

The main obstacle to commercial cargo flights from El Toro is the law written by Congressman Chris Cox prohibiting joint use. The County is currently lobbying to have this law modified so that they can begin cargo flights as early as December 1998.

TRP members and supporters must counter the County lobbying efforts by contacting the Congressman with their opposition to any modification to the current law. Tell Congressman Cox to stand firm and reject any change to his legislation. Tell Congressman Cox that: Joint use is destructive to our neighborhoods. Joint use destroys any non-aviation planning process. Joint use violates environmental laws. Joint use further politicizes the reuse planning process.

Please write, call, fax or e-mail your comments to Congressman Cox today. The number of letters and calls received are critical to stopping any changes in the existing law.

The airport supporters, including the Orange County Business Council and the residents of Newport Beach, are already sending their letters. We must overwhelm the Congressman with our concerns, to let him know that this issue is critical to the residents, and voters, of this area.

Do not delay in writing a letter and making a call. Help defeat the effort to start commercial cargo flights out of El Toro this year.

Congressman Cox can be reached at: 2402 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20510 (714) 756-2244 Fax: (714) 251-9309 E-mail: christopher.cox@mail . house.gov

Strong Response to Renewal Request

The Board of Directors of TRP wishes to thank all TRP members who have renewed their memberships and sent in contributions. “We are gratified by the response of our members and the high number who have chosen renewed their memberships. Renewals are the best indication that our members recognize the importance of being a part of TRP in stopping the airport at El Toro,” said TRP Executive Director Bill Kogerman.

As a membership organization, TRP relies on annual membership dues as one significant source of revenue. Membership dues are critical in funding the production and mailing of this newsletter. Please ask your friends and neighbors to join TRP. Remember, the larger our membership, the stronger our power.

Fun Raiser” Encore Successful

The encore performance of anti-airport comedian Jeff Jena, held in November, was a financial and artistic success. “I thought that he was even better this time. Of course, with the Board of Supervisors making more irrational decisions all the time, there’s more material,” said Sergio Prince, organizer of the event.

Besides the performance of Jeff Jena, the evening featured a presentation by Sergio of alternate reuse options for the El Toro site. The presentation included a short video on the future of high-speed transportation using magnetically-levitated (maglev) trains. Over 100 TRP members attended the encore.

No Jets! Dinner Party Scheduled for Laguna Hills on February 28th

No Jets! at El Toro is the theme for a premier dinner party fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, February 28th at the Holiday Inn in Laguna Hills (located on La Paz adjacent to the 5 Freeway). This is your chance to get the latest facts “up close and personal” while contributing to the TRP effort.

The program will be emceed by Jess Marlow, long-time NBC news anchor, and will include presentations by elected officials and El Toro experts. Supervisors Todd Spitzer and Tom Wilson will be speaking, as will ETRPA Chair Richard Dixon and TRP Executive Director Bill Kogerman. Many other elected officials will be present to answer questions and listen to public comments.

This event is being sponsored by TRP, with major support being offered by Clear the Air/No Jets!, the South Orange County Chambers of Commerce and the Orange County Business Coalition.

Proceeds from this event will be used to fund the TRP political and lobbying efforts. The top priority now is funding trips to Washington, DC to fight against commercial cargo flights from El Toro.

Tickets are $1000 for a table of eight, or $125 each. Please call 493-5557 to order tickets or for further information on this event. This promises to be a fun- and fact-filled evening for all in attendance.

Stop Cargo Flights from El Toro

TRP is the only citizens group fighting against joint use at El Toro. TRP needs your help to fund our legal and lobbying efforts. Help us by:

Writing and phoning Chris Cox and telling him to keep his law banning joint use. Attending the Laguna Hills Dinner Party on February 28th. Attending the Coto de Caza rally on March 14th. Attending the TRP general membership meeting on Monday, January 19th in Mission Viejo.

WRITE TO TRP

P.O. Box 943, El Toro, CA 92630
(714) 770-4014