The realities of not having an airport at El Toro

Kathy Courtney of Laguna Niguel opined that El Toro is a “done deal”

and that we should “move on.” However, I have the feeling that had

Measure W lost, she would be carping for even yet another vote. In

fact, that’s been happening over the past eight years. After four

tries, El Toro opponents finally were able to simultaneously pass an

initiative and have one court uphold it. Now they want to silence

dissenting opinions. Maybe El Toro is indeed a “done deal.” However,

thanks to it sitting empty and simultaneous unbridled development

occurring in South County, perpetual Long Beach airport expansion is

far from a “done deal.”

Just because voters in one mere county eliminated aviation zoning

for El Toro does not mean they also eliminated future passenger and

cargo demands for the entire region as well. If only it were that

simple.

If one thought that April 15 was a day to dread, exactly six

months later, Oct. 15 will also be a day to dread (for those living

under the Long Beach flight path.) On that day of each year, the

airport manager will release an annual study detailing how much more

“room” there is for flights under the “noise bucket.” The following

Jan. 1, the airlines can use those additional slots. Gee, Happy New

Year!

There is only a noise cap, but absolutely no caps on flights,

cargo tonnage or passengers. It’s too bad there’s also no cap on the

San Diego Freeway clogging surface traffic originating from South

County.

Even the so-called noise cap itself is weak. The fines start at

$100 and peak at a mere $300. (One round trip sold pays that off.)

The city of Long Beach wanted stronger fines, but a federal judge

would not allow it. If the city tinkers with the fines, they would

risk jeopardizing the current airport agreement.

Normally, I would support anybody who wants to protect their

quality of life, including El Toro opponents. (I even voted no in the

past.) However, what I take umbrage with is the raw NIMBYism

involved. For example, Irvine Councilman Mike Ward (and El Toro Reuse

Planning Authority Chairman at the time) wrote to the Board of

Supervisors claiming that “Long Beach is operating below capacity.”

Really? According to airnav.com, Long Beach averages 1,375 daily

operations. Thus, making it one if the nation’s busiest facilities.

This is in contrast to El Toro with zero daily operations.

For Ward to have the gall to claim Long Beach is “operating below

capacity” would be akin to an off-shore, tax-dodging corporation

suggesting an increase in personal income taxes to offset the federal

budget deficit.

* REX RICKS is a Huntington Beach resident. To contribute to

“Sounding Off” e-mail us at [email protected] or fax us at (714)

965-7174.