Seal Beach board asks Huntington Beach for clearer Pacific Air Show EIR, votes to send six-point comment letter

The Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board on March 19 reviewed the draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the Pacific Air Show/Huntington Beach project and voted unanimously to have staff prepare a comment letter highlighting gaps and proposed mitigations.

Board members said the EIR’s project description and analysis are incomplete, and raised particular concern about biological impacts to Bolsa Chica, the proposed use of a temporary landing strip on the beach, unassessed streamer/pyrotechnic debris, and flight-related noise — including planned nighttime flyovers tied to an evening concert that could continue until 11 p.m. The board asked Huntington Beach to provide clearer itineraries, a defined flight path, and explicit descriptions of what the EIR means by “pyrotechnics.”

Why it matters: board members said the combination of extended event days and flight activity increases the likelihood of repeated disturbance to birds, greater noise exposure for residents and pets, and new hazards associated with aircraft operations on the beach. The board’s comments will become part of the public record for Huntington Beach to address in the final EIR; the public comment period in the draft EIR runs through April 7.

Board concerns and requested clarifications - Project description and scope: The board said the EIR repeatedly limited impacts analysis to the show center area but omitted the flight path and…