News Summary
The California Coastal Commission has granted a five-year permit for the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, contingent on 21 special conditions aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring public access. Despite the economic benefits the event brings, there are ongoing concerns among local residents and environmentalists about its impact on coastal resources. The permit requires a financial contribution for public access and habitat enhancement projects, as trust issues remain between the Coastal Commission and airshow organizers. An environmental impact report review is scheduled soon to address these concerns.
Huntington Beach, California – Pacific Airshow Permitted After Controversies
The California Coastal Commission has unanimously approved a five-year coastal development permit for the upcoming Pacific Airshow, scheduled to take place from October 3 to October 5, 2024, in Huntington Beach. The approval comes amidst ongoing controversies regarding environmental concerns and public access.
Pacific Airshow, LLC received the permit with 21 special conditions aimed at mitigating impacts on natural resources and ensuring public access to the beach during the event. As part of the approval, the company has been mandated to pay $274,758 to the California State Lands Commission, which will be allocated for public access and habitat enhancement projects due to prior unpermitted developments associated with the airshow.
Despite the approval, there are lingering trust issues between the Coastal Commission and the airshow organizers as well as among local residents. Recent criticisms have been directed at how the airshow had previously operated without the necessary coastal development permits, especially during the 2023 event, which resulted in a cease and desist letter sent to the airshow director in September 2024. The letter called for improvements to public coastal access at the event.
Airshow director Kevin Elliott has emphasized the necessity of securing a long-term permit for the financial stability and sustainability of the show. The current permit features provisions for an annual reassessment of its impacts on coastal resources, allowing the commission to modify conditions as deemed necessary.
While the commission considered the potential for a “no-flyover” designation for the wetlands, there were no substantial updates provided on this proposal during the meeting. Elliott acknowledged that completely avoiding the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is impractical due to safety concerns, although he noted that the airshow operations have been adjusted to reduce the overall flights above the reserve.
Public commentary during the meeting included support from local officials like Huntington Beach’s Mayor and a former senator, who highlighted the economic benefits that the airshow brings to the region. The event generates an estimated $120 million in economic advantages for Huntington Beach annually and typically attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
However, not all feedback was positive; environmentalists and local nonprofit advocates raised alarms regarding the need for thorough monitoring to safeguard wildlife in the Bolsa Chica area. Critics expressed skepticism regarding the city’s reliability in protecting ecological reserves, especially considering that the City of Huntington Beach had settled a lawsuit related to the airshow’s cancellation in 2021, resulting in a payment of $5 million to the operator.
Amidst these discussions, the City of Huntington Beach is set to review the environmental impact report for this year’s Pacific Airshow in a meeting scheduled for September 2, 2024. The commission’s decision reflects a balancing act between the economic benefits brought by the airshow and its environmental implications, pointing to the need for ongoing dialogue between various stakeholders involved with the coastal region.
The Pacific Airshow has been a recurring event in Huntington Beach since its inception in 2016 and has often been criticized for not securing the appropriate permits in prior years. Despite the controversies, the support from local leaders indicates a strong belief in the airshow’s capacity to contribute positively to the local economy while safeguarding environmental integrity.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach Air Show Secures 5-Year Coastal Commission Permit
- LAist: Huntington Beach Air Show Coastal Commission Approves Permit
- OC Register: Huntington Beach Air Show Granted Permit for October Kickoff
- Wikipedia: Pacific Airshow
- Google Search: Huntington Beach Airshow
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
