County Issue Radar Tower Operation

The National Weather Service recently completed building a 98-foot Doppler radar tower atop Sulphur Mountain. Nearby residents have already lost a lawsuit filed

against the government claiming that more studies should be completed before the tower becomes fully operational next month. Should the radar tower be allowed to operate?

* Tom Johnston

Private climatologist , Ventura

I would say yes, but it’s not next to me, either. I don’t have any expertise in the Doppler radar system, but I have some faith in the government that they have done enough study to assure the public that they are safe in urban areas. I’ve seen some of the pictures that come off them, and it’s a very definite upgrade than what the National Weather Service has been using. The major objection to this radar system being installed is that the government is intruding on people’s private domain. But I have known this was going up for at least a year or 18 months. They’re going to do it anyway, regardless of what the community thought, because it’s a good location.

* Larry Hagman

Actor, Ojai Valley resident, a plaintiff in federal suit

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It ought to be moved. It has no business there. There are plenty of places where it won’t cause harm to populations. I think they’re just using Sulphur Mountain because it’s convenient. There are other places on federal land where it could be located. I don’t want to be a test bunny. I don’t want to feel like a rat. It was successfully defeated in New York in two different places. The weather service said they never had trouble like this before, but they were lying. They have, and it’s costing millions in litigation. Why didn’t they come to us before they moved it in?

* Alan Fox Oxnard resident, contract meteorologist

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The real question I have as a meteorologist is not whether it should be allowed to operate, but whether the radar should have been placed on Sulphur Mountain in the first place. At its location, 2,700 feet above sea level, the radar’s ability to detect precipitation off the coast will be greatly reduced in typical winter storms for this area. I have read the reports that justify locating the radar on this mountain, and neither study adequately addresses the limitations in measuring rainfall from this site. It’s a wonderful system. The only problem with this thing is that it’s incorrectly situated. The NEXRAD system has capabilities far beyond any other radar system to date. It’s a research-grade tool.

* Jerry McDuffie

Oxnard area manager, National Weather Service

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I don’t have any doubt about whether it should be allowed to operate. It should be allowed to and, as far as we’re concerned, it will. The tests we conducted showed the radiation levels are well below the federal standards. In my opinion, there’s no reason to fear anything from this radar. The benefits are going to be for all the people of Ventura County, Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County and others. Since we really feel there’s absolutely no health risk at all, it’s going to provide a big benefit through possibly saving lives over the next several years. Last year, we lost 98 people to flash floods. If we can save one or two of them through this system, it’s well worth it. It also will benefit the agricultural industry, the aviation people, the media as far as better forecasting and the public for better warnings.

* Elton Gallegly

Congressman, 23rd District *

No, not until we know that it poses no threat to health or safety. That’s why I introduced legislation that would require the prestigious and completely independent National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to answer once and for all the questions posed by the residents of Ojai. My bill would also prohibit the radar tower from being operated until the safety of the radar was completely assured. I am pleased that Sens. (Barbara) Boxer and (Dianne) Feinstein (D-Calif.) have joined me in supporting the people of Ojai, and I would urge them to introduce similar legislation in the Senate.