U.S. Says Commercial Use of El Toro Up to O.C. : Air travel: Clinton Transportation Secretary Pena calls the issue a local one that shouldn’t require federal intervention.

In a brief visit to Orange County on Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena suggested the debate about using El Toro Marine Corps Air Station for commercial air traffic is a local issue that should be resolved without federal intervention.

The issue has been a hot topic since the military base was recently included on the Pentagon list of base closings.

But Pena declined to join the local debate, reminding reporters that he is a former mayor of Denver who knows what it means to be pressured by Washington.

“We in Washington are not going to make the decisions from the top down,” he said during an afternoon press conference at a freeway construction site. “We look to the local community for input on that. You know what your transportation needs are.”

Pena said a major reason he was chosen transportation secretary was the work he did to build Denver’s new airport. And, he said, a critical aspect of the project was the limited involvement of federal authorities.

The secretary also said he had not responded to a letter he received in February from Rep. Norman Y. Mineta (D-San Jose), chairman of the House Public Works Committee, suggesting that the El Toro base might be used jointly by military and civilian aircraft.

“I have not had an opportunity to look at that,” he said.

The issue of a second airport in Orange County has split county officials. Some believe it would enhance the county’s economic base, while at the same time reduce noise and safety problems at John Wayne Airport. Others are concerned that it would bring those same troubles to other Orange County communities.

Pena’s visit was part of an attempt by President Clinton to generate support for his economic package by sending White House officials around the country to publicize benefits of the plan. The deficit-reduction portion of the package was passed by the Senate Thursday.

Pena said California is particularly high on the list of White House priorities because its economy is suffering so badly and its unemployment rate is the second highest in the nation.

“My message is that the President understands this and that’s why he has made it a very high priority,” Pena said.

Clinton’s job-stimulus package, which was being held up by Republican senators Thursday night, would produce about $330 million for California projects if it passes intact. About 10% of that money would be expected to land in Orange County, where officials say it would probably be used in the ongoing project to widen the Santa Ana Freeway.

Stan Oftelie, head of the Orange County Transportation Authority, said the federal money would speed up the project and create more jobs sooner. “The main thing that happens if this goes in is that everything moves faster,” he said. “It’s stimulus, it gets things going.”

Pena was joined at the press conference Thursday by Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove), County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly, OCTA vice chairman Dana Reed and Santa Ana Councilman Miguel A. Pulido Jr.