Commentary: Renewed airport pact is part of historic effort
An historic day to ensure that John Wayne Airport remains the most noise-restricted airport in the nation passed this week.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved the draft environmental impact report, selected the proposed project and authorized the signing of documents. Three parties — the county, Airport Working Group and Stop Polluting Our Newport (SPON) — will sign stipulations.
I highlight for you that the noise curfew will remain in effect. John Wayne Airport will remain the most noise-restricted airport in the nation.
The city’s preferred project consists of the following:
• The FAA found the Amended Agreement consistent with the Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA).
• Protection and extension of the noise-based curfew through 2035 — no commercial departures before 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday or before 8 a.m. Sundays, and no arrivals on any day after 11 p.m.
• Maintenance of the million annual passenger cap (the so-called MAP CAP) of 10.8 MAP through 2020, with an additional 1.0 MAP allowed in 2021-25. During 2026-30, an additional 0.7 MAP may be allowed if JWA’s use shows at least 11.21 MAP in any calendar year during 2021-2025. If the 11.21 MAP trigger is not reached, then only an additional 0.4 MAP would be authorized between 2026 and 2030.
• Maintenance of the cap on average daily departures of the Class A (loudest) commercial air carriers of 85 passenger flights, plus four cargo flights per day through 2020, with an additional 10 Class A passenger average daily departures allowed per year (for a total of 95 annually) starting in 2021.
Newport Beach is of the belief that this alternative best protects the city’s residents, recognizes the policy decisions that the Board of Supervisors must make, as it balances the competing interests of the residents who surround the airport and the airline industry, and takes into account the requirements of the federal Airport and Noise Capacity Act, as well as the operational restrictions at JWA.
Newport City Attorney Aaron Harp did an exceptional job managing the legal issues connected to the Amendment of the Settlement Agreement. City Manager Dave Kiff skillfully developed consensus among multiple parties and kept the multiyear process on track.
The commitment of the Airport Working Group and SPON on the airport issues cannot be overestimated or understated. Thank you, community members. Council members actively involved in the process were Mayor Rush Hill, Councilman Keith Curry and myself.
It was a lengthy negotiation process and the city appreciates the leadership of Supervisor John Moorlach and airport management to consider and integrate the concerns of multiple parties.
At the City Council meeting of Oct. 14, the City Council will consider the approval of the Stipulation Agreement.
It is hope that the final steps of this long journey to continue to protect our quality of life will end with certainty about our future.
LESLIE DAIGLE is a member of the Newport Beach City Council and candidate for water board.