News Summary
The California Coastal Commission has granted a coastal development permit for the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, amid environmental concerns. The permit includes conditions to minimize impacts on natural resources and public access, including a significant financial obligation for habitat enhancement. The decision reflects the airshow’s importance to local tourism, generating an estimated $120 million annually, but faces scrutiny from critics prioritizing environmental protection. Public sentiment remains divided as local officials prepare for further actions regarding the event’s sustainability.
Huntington Beach – The California Coastal Commission has unanimously approved a coastal development permit for the upcoming Pacific Airshow, set to take place from October 3 to 5, 2024. This decision allows the highly anticipated event to return after previously operating without a proper permit for several years, raising significant concerns regarding environmental and public access policies.
The permit is conditional and comes with 21 specific requirements aimed at mitigating potential impacts on the area’s natural resources and access to public beaches. Key among these conditions is a financial obligation of $274,758 that airshow operator Code Four must pay to the California State Lands Commission. This payment is earmarked for public access and habitat enhancement projects at the nearby Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, which had been affected by past unpermitted developments associated with the airshow.
In an effort to ensure continued public accessibility during the event, the commission demanded that two vertical public access routes to the shoreline remain open at all times. Additionally, Code Four is required to implement a comprehensive plan focused on managing the environmental risks related to potential fuel dumps from aircraft operating over coastal waters. The commission also specified that extensive biological monitoring must be conducted to assess the airshow’s impact on local bird populations, particularly restricting jet flights to maintain a minimum altitude of 1,000 feet over the ecological reserve.
The decision follows a series of prior airshows that have disturbed wildlife at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, leading to heightened scrutiny from authorities. The Pacific Airshow is a significant event for Huntington Beach, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and generating an estimated $120 million in economic benefits for the local community. This financial boost underscores the airshow’s importance to local tourism and its role in enhancing community spirit.
Despite its popularity and economic contributions, the Pacific Airshow has faced legal challenges, including a settlement in which the city of Huntington Beach agreed to pay nearly $5 million to the airshow organizers following the cancellation of parts of the event in 2021 due to an oil spill. Ongoing tensions regarding trust between the Coastal Commission, airshow organizers, and the local community highlight the complex dynamics at play in securing necessary permits for the event.
Public comments during the commission’s review revealed a divided community, with constituents expressing both support and opposition to the airshow. Advocates for the event emphasized its economic contributions, while critics called for stronger environmental protections to safeguard the local ecosystem and the rights of beachgoers.
Code Four’s CEO has indicated that the financial sustainability of the airshow heavily relies on securing a multi-year permit. In light of this, local officials are poised to underscore the economic and social benefits that the event provides to Huntington Beach. The city council is expected to take further steps toward certifying the environmental impact report for the Pacific Airshow in a meeting scheduled for September 2, 2024.
This upcoming airshow marks a critical juncture in balancing the needs of public enjoyment and environmental stewardship, setting the stage for future events and their sustainability within California’s coastal regions.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Mailbag on Coastal Commission & Pacific Airshow
- Wikipedia: Pacific Airshow
- LAist: Huntington Beach Airshow & Coastal Commission
- Google Search: Huntington Beach Airshow
- OC Register: Huntington Beach Air Show Granted Permit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: California Coastal Commission
- ABC7: Huntington Beach Air Show Video
- Google News: Huntington Beach Air Show 2024
- Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach Air Show Secures Permit
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.
