Plan Sees Cargo Jets in Before Marines Go

At the request of a citizens commission advising on future uses of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, the county is studying whether some air-cargo carriers could fly out of the base before the military pulls out in 1999, officials confirmed Tuesday.

The county’s airport planners intend to present a report on possible joint military-commercial use of the base next month to the Citizens Advisory Committee as well as to the Board of Supervisors, which will decide whether to pursue the idea.

“We are trying to provide [supervisors] with as much information as possible so they can decide how they would like to proceed,” said Courtney Wiercioch, the county’s assistant chief executive officer in charge of El Toro airport planning.

The controversial idea, which has been discussed several times over the years, was raised again last month by the Citizens Advisory Committee, a county review panel that, like the Board of Supervisors, has voted in favor of preliminary airport plans.

“I think it would answer a lot of questions people have about the base,” said Newport Beach Councilman Thomas C. Edwards, an airport supporter and committee member. “It would allow pilots to use the runway and homeowners to hear the noise levels. It will help show whether a [commercial airport] is doable.”

But airport opponents strongly oppose any commercial use of El Toro before the Marines leave, saying it would give air carriers an unfair “foothold” before the airport planning process is completed.

“It’s also a safety issue,” Supervisor Thomas W. Wilson said. “I think mingling civilian and military air traffic isn’t something that makes sense from a safety standpoint.”

Both sides agree that any move by the county probably would provoke a court fight.

Measure A, the 1994 voter-approved ballot measure calling for an airport at El Toro, also contains a provision suggesting commercial flights while the Marines are still at the base.

But federal legislation authored in 1990 by Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) states that the “Secretary of the Navy may not enter into any agreement that provides for . . . or allows civilian aircraft to regularly use the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro, California.”

Foes of an airport at El Toro say the law flatly prohibits any commercial uses while the base remains under military control. But Edwards and other supporters of early cargo flights insist that Cox’s legislation does not completely close the door, especially if El Toro base commanders agree to it as the number of military flights winds down.

In 1995, base officials told the county that cargo flights would be inconsistent with the military’s mission at that time.

Brig. Gen. Robert Magnus, the El Toro commander, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. But Capt. Matthew Morgan, the base spokesman, said he hasn’t heard of any change in the military’s position.

“We know there is interest out there in cargo flights,” Morgan said. “But we have been told we can’t do it with the legislation now in place.”

Wiercioch said her staff has informed base officials that the issue is again being examined but has not yet received an official reply. “One of our priorities is respecting ongoing Marine operations,” she said.

Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who also opposes an airport at El Toro, urged the county to discuss any plans for joint use with Cox’s office.

“It’s his bill,” Spitzer said, “I’m concerned that he’s not in the loop.”

Federal Express has indicated that it would consider using the base for cargo flights if it were made available.

There are now more than 30 joint-use military airports in the country. Edwards said El Toro would be a strong candidate to join the list because of reduced use by the military and high demand for air cargo flights.

The Citizens Advisory Committee is expected to review the staff’s report on Dec. 11. Critics have dismissed the panel as pro-airport, and South County city councils have refused to appoint members to it.

“We’ve always been opposed to joint use because no decision should be made on any use until the process is completed,” said Peter Hersh, who oversees El Toro planning for Irvine.