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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY �.� INTRODUCTION The environmental impact report (EIR) process, as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), requires the preparation of an objective, full -disclosure document in order to (1) inform agency decision makers and the general public of the direct and indirect potentially significant environmental effects of a proposed action; (2) identify feasible or potentially feasible mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate potential significant adverse impacts; and (3) identify and evaluate a reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed project. In accordance with Section 15168 of the State CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Chapter 3, Sections 15000, et seq.), this Program EIR addresses the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project, as described herein (Project), through the adoption and implementation of the El Toro, 100 -Acre Parcel Development Plan ("Development Plan" or "Project"). 1.2 PROJECT LOCATION The Project site consists of property that is or will be owned by the County of Orange (County), located in the City of Irvine (City). The Project site is at the southern edge of the former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro, east of the interchange of the Interstate (I) 5 and State Route (SR) 133 in Orange County. The site is bound by the proposed realignment of Marine Way on the northeast; the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) rail lines and an approximately 21.3 acre Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) property on the southwest; a City of Irvine -owned parcel of approximately 1.6 acres on the northwest; and District 6 of the Great Park Neighborhoods project to the southeast. The Project would encompass approximately 108 acres, (The exhibits depicting regional location and local vicinity are provided in Section 3.0, Project Description.) The Project site surrounds the 6.6 -acre Second Harvest Food Bank warehouse on three sides. 1.3 PROJECT BACKGROUND In July 1993, the Department of Navy (DON) decided to close MCAS El Toro under the Base Realignment and Closure Act. Since then, several plans for reuse of the former MCAS El Toro site were considered by both the County and the City. In March 2002, the plan for the Orange County Great Park was approved when voters passed Measure W, an initiative which eliminated planned aviation uses for the MCAS El Toro site and re -designated the unincorporated land in the County General Plan for park, open space, and other uses. Following closure of MCAS El Toro, on March 4, 2003, the County, the City, and the Irvine Redevelopment Agency entered into a tri -party, Property Tax Transfer, and Pre -Annexation Agreement (Pre -Annexation Agreement) regarding the annexation and reuse of MCAS El Toro. The parties entered into an agreement to "establish and demonstrate their mutual desire and commitment to cooperate" on the annexation proceedings and subsequent redevelopment of the former MCAS EI Toro (Irvine et al, 2003). As part of that agreement, the City agreed to provide fee ownership to certain lands to the County, including approximately 100 acres of the Project EL TORO, 100 -ACRE PARCEL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1-1 PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT