[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6398104,"mediaKeyId","2090895-78a03bdaac5d29fb178bc2c97dddc5ef","parentId",2090895,"title","Board approves American Airlines lease at McClellan‑Palomar; repeal of board policy F44 and fee waivers draw public opposition","audioSeconds",3933,"startMs",5898000,"endMs",9831000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2090895-78a03bdaac5d29fb178bc2c97dddc5ef&start=5898&end=9831","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2090895-78a03bdaac5d29fb178bc2c97dddc5ef/thumbnail_5898000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6398104/San-Diego-County/California/Board-approves-American-Airlines-lease-at-McClellanPalomar-repeal-of-board-policy-F44-and-fee-waivers-draw-public-opposition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6398104-68dece3b6a6cde5afa10a98981ff160e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144910&Signature=DL2Q975cmDhjeQO37NzluBj6Qbmt-Ha676SB2kBV4nsbTakhxaQaDyk-h9T4GJhygenOfi7Lbx2kSUX2r~XKw3coX-w7O0XOWZDGkTTvQR-iVDuLFS1K7fM6eIglS7~LO3ZDC2XYDdCgYt-Oy4MEMILbIzpc5F5opTzokBb8SdIMEmWTnV22H4VfRZHENtxM2goztUbNij6lhUJF8dlfULutlQlvc8OQx49fWwGfNglmY24L6veLAGgI1Z3hJcLRWn65WOSVh-r4XmtBTCP2vVdChWppJbsjBxoqR14KKkgNx-27unBa-fk2C61L5OIVirF7SRWLjWgAT9Yyv-q8Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Diego County CA","date","2025-01-09T01:02:40.12Z","article","The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Jan. 8, 2025, to approve a two‑year lease with American Airlines to resume commercial service at McClellan‑Palomar Airport starting Feb. 13, 2025, repeal language in county board policy F44 that limited seat size, and authorize fee waivers for the first year of operations.

County Airports Director Jamie Abbott told the board that American Airlines plans two daily round‑trips to Phoenix Sky Harbor using an Embraer 175 regional jet (76 seats). Abbott said Palomar qualifies as a federally recognized commercial service airport and emphasized that FAA grant assurances require the county to make airport facilities available without unjust discrimination; he warned that denial of access could risk FAA grant funding and, in prior cases, has led to corrective actions or funding threats. Abbott said FAA grants have funded the majority of recent airport capital work and that the lease is expected to generate about $600,000 in annual revenue while supporting approximately 150 new jobs in the region. Staff recommended partially waiving first‑year fees (about $351,000) to help incentivize startup service.

The proposed lease and the recommendation to repeal or amend board policy F44 — the policy that historically capped aircraft seat size at Palomar — prompted substantial public comment from both supporters and opponents. More than 100 commenters submitted e‑comments and dozens spoke in person and by phone. Supporters — including airport tenants, pilots, business groups and aviation workers — argued the service will provide local travel options, reduce vehicle trips to other airports, and create jobs. Eduardo Angelus, a representative of American Airlines, and Olivier Brackett, a former airport manager, urged the board to approve the lease.

Opponents, including representatives from the City of Carlsbad and local homeowner groups, raised concerns about noise, early‑morning departures, safety and whether the Embraer 175 exceeds the airport’s B‑2 design classification. Carlsbad City Council member and City representative Jason Haber said the city had not been asked to make a land‑use determination and expressed concern that the county’s action could affect the city’s role in airport land‑use decisions. Community commenters emphasized early morning departures (a 6:15 a.m. departure was noted), disagreeing that voluntary noise abatement would protect neighborhoods. Several callers and speakers requested additional CEQA review, raised safety questions about runway suitability for larger commercial aircraft, and pointed to recent litigation history related to airport use.

County staff and multiple supervisors said the action is consistent with the airport master plan and the program EIR approved previously; staff told the board the planned two daily flights represent a small fraction (under 10%) of annual enplanements evaluated in the master‑plan environmental review. Director Abbott also said staff had consulted the Palomar Airport Advisory Committee and local stakeholders; the advisory committee recommended approval but without the fee waiver.

During the meeting Supervisor Jim Desmond moved to adopt staff recommendations (approve the lease, repeal/modify F44, authorize fee waivers and related CEQA findings). Supervisor Montgomery Stepp seconded. After further discussion and public comment the board voted unanimously to approve the lease and the policy change. Several supervisors said they were troubled by the volume of community opposition but described significant legal and financial risk from denying the lease given FAA grant assurance precedent; they also asked staff to expand noise monitoring and community outreach.

Board action authorizes the Director of Airports to execute the two‑year lease and implement the fee waivers and policy repeal as presented; staff said they will install additional noise monitors, expand community outreach, and return to the board with monitoring results and any further mitigation proposals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1-8-2025 County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a two‑year lease with American Airlines to begin twice‑daily Embraer 175 service at McClellan‑Palomar Airport and repealed seat‑limit language in board policy F44, while authorizing first‑year fee waivers to support startup service.","taxTitle","San Diego County, California","taxId",2838,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6398109,"Board presses for more action after EPA declines Superfund site investigation for Tijuana River Valley",3102,2792000,5894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2090895-78a03bdaac5d29fb178bc2c97dddc5ef&start=2792&end=5894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2090895-78a03bdaac5d29fb178bc2c97dddc5ef/thumbnail_2792000.jpg","/articles/6398109/San-Diego-County/California/Board-presses-for-more-action-after-EPA-declines-Superfund-site-investigation-for-Tijuana-River-Valley","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6398109-170285f5090f75a1cd0af9002000fed6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144909&Signature=Go0XLhA4kMUjPtPGjUV68WdKEMdpWp9R6-1xgRP6aPb242W7tFE83udDhgs04IzCVV1EVd08Yn3mCVXAsUSF1dH7EEBlTq6TWDPkMKCFGkL79F8ubd7bhd~1W-o-1Os~KSIc6j-MyFPiLppz0tdSjenr6jqhmfOhC7U9juTwA1zeWqj4ynXPsdxgCyODOmwmZ8J5W3s1derVGrJdAVDPvHjoAhJO9LbfV4cMtpAq6YgEpBrR7rVvZe2Q7RCA4wHAGRH0-t-aGGaaTDLROZ3u~9rwyGUJgGhdZ~5vXGjAmysx8vpdNYI5DOfTn3ccQvn9JVv2wlI~AA2x3afDnSW7xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Diego County supervisors on Jan. 8, 2025, received a staff report and a U.S. EPA response on whether the Tijuana River Valley should be designated a Superfund (CERCLA) site. The EPA’s Region 9 Superfund director said the agency would not open a Superfund site investigation based on the petition submitted, and the board accepted staff’s report and directed staff to pursue further collaborative options.

The item returned to the board after earlier direction to explore a Superfund petition and other avenues to unlock state and federal remediation funds for longstanding pollution and sewage impacts in the Tijuana River Valley. The board heard from municipal officials, local elected leaders and community members who described health complaints, air and water contamination concerns, and impacts to beaches and schools.

Mayor Paloma Madera of Imperial Beach (identified in public comment as the city’s mayor) urged the board to “repetition” — to refile or press the EPA — noting studies and community health complaints. Marcus Bush, National City councilmember, called the situation “the biggest and the worst environmental crisis in the county” and urged renewed federal and state attention. Board members and staff acknowledged the scale of public health concerns while noting legal and technical distinctions about agency authorities.

Mike Montgomery, director of the Superfund and Emergency Management Division for EPA Region 9, told the board the Superfund program focuses on hazardous waste sites with population‑scale exposure to long‑lasting toxicants, and that the agency assessed the petition and existing data. Montgomery said EPA had examined available studies, met with the State Water Resources Control Board and the Tijuana River Recovery Task Force, and concluded the petition did not demonstrate conditions that warrant a Superfund listing; he said the Clean Water Act and state authorities are better suited to address the human‑waste and stormwater hazardous‑substance issues in the river.

County staff outlined other statutory and regulatory tools—Clean Water Act authorities, the regional water board, the California Air Resources Board and the Department of Toxic Substances Control—that could be used alongside EPA technical support to pursue site assessment, enforcement and remediation. Staff and the EPA estimated focused sediment and soil sampling programs could be scoped with the state and might be conducted within modest budgets (EPA said a targeted sampling campaign could be under $100,000, depending on scope), but also noted funding and prioritization constraints at state agencies. Staff also said that legal options, including possible litigation against potential responsible parties, are being explored through closed‑session counsel.

Supervisor Jim Desmond moved to accept the staff report; the motion passed unanimously. Supervisors said they want follow‑up in the near term and asked staff to work with EPA, the regional water board and the state to develop a coordinated plan for targeted sampling and regulatory action where warranted.

The board did not direct a Superfund petition resubmission at this meeting; members said they will pursue a multi‑pronged approach—coordinated technical sampling, state action under the Clean Water Act and continued federal engagement—to seek both short‑term mitigation and long‑term remediation funding.","San Diego County supervisors pressed the EPA for further steps after the agency declined a petition to investigate Superfund designation for the Tijuana River Valley; the board accepted staff's report and asked for continued coordination with state agencies and the EPA.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6398113,"Board approves Traffic Advisory Committee recommendations, including local speed-limit adjustments",820,1968000,2788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2090895-78a03bdaac5d29fb178bc2c97dddc5ef&start=1968&end=2788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2090895-78a03bdaac5d29fb178bc2c97dddc5ef/thumbnail_1968000.jpg","/articles/6398113/San-Diego-County/California/Board-approves-Traffic-Advisory-Committee-recommendations-including-local-speed-limit-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6398113-1c6feeeb5b6e300b88d93c1bdd46fcab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144909&Signature=GoFdg3xbTUxhFR24tci2yjXlc79pCciilrRl-Uvk0nG4pXIB0vPfeMgsxfV2v~Y6A3Opm3GOP1a5pBYOhFs5QRmhJj~xfWheECEYHvy1qWt2kYTk6JJ5cU1P~6Xu-v97WYd52qUDSiFrStOkP-pATK8b1n3GE2spC87ZSa7fgP90wrSnSBRCsZOv6QtQ9ojMJRas4YukR-P6AbpRwtWRcW7bFuq~0YzVo5lTu7GDMNKtAS1zsU3WKE2NQjVhhxgptFjrt-BbGNqhCglXiPQTXKdBA8pWfytMviYTVCagZ9QRsJruWvRDWmcwh-jlQUHxKVGUsOwC6ifdrZbZkLoPZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 8, 2025, unanimously approved recommendations from the county Traffic Advisory Committee, including targeted five‑mile‑per‑hour reductions on select roads and a staff‑recommended CEQA exemption.

The board’s approval follows public comment from residents in Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Escondido and backcountry communities who disagreed on whether small speed‑limit reductions save lives. Supporters including residents who said they want more enforcement and improved winter patrols were balanced by callers who argued speed limits alone do not reduce crashes without enforcement.

The Traffic Advisory Committee report examined localized road conditions and recommended moderate speed‑limit adjustments in specific communities. Supervisor Jim Desmond moved to approve the item, and Supervisor Montgomery Stepp seconded the motion. Ryan called the roll; the motion passed unanimously with all supervisors present voting aye.

Public commenters raised procedural questions and policy concerns: some asked why the item was on the discussion calendar rather than consent, others asked who would enforce the new limits, and backcountry residents requested more attention to wintertime crash risk. Anne Riddle, speaking for a rural constituency, said impaired‑driving patrols and broader public‑health messaging about impairment beyond alcohol were needed. Other callers argued the changes reflected larger policy goals to reduce driving and favored different regional approaches.

County staff and the Transportation division told the board the Traffic Advisory Committee considered planning‑group recommendations and local roadway circumstances when proposing the changes. Staff noted the committee had not recommended blanket changes across the county but instead targeted adjustments based on local field review.

The board did not attach further implementation direction during the vote; supervisors discussed enforcement and outreach but made no final changes to the committee recommendations. The approved action authorizes staff to proceed with the Traffic Advisory Committee recommendations and associated CEQA exemption as presented to the board.

Supervisors and staff said they will continue to monitor outcomes and consider enforcement coordination with the sheriff’s department, but no further specific enforcement program (such as new sheriff deployments) was adopted at the meeting.","The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Traffic Advisory Committee report and related CEQA exemption, allowing targeted local speed-limit reductions and other road recommendations after public comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves American Airlines lease at McClellan‑Palomar; repeal of board policy F44 and fee waivers draw public opposition

Board presses for more action after EPA declines Superfund site investigation for Tijuana River Valley

Board approves Traffic Advisory Committee recommendations, including local speed-limit adjustments