State Seeks Files on Navy Radar-Testing Facility in Port Hueneme

The California Coastal Commission on Tuesday reaffirmed its intent to examine the operation of a $100-million radar-testing facility in Port Hueneme to ensure that it does not pose a health hazard.

The commission repeated a request that the Navy submit documents showing the 10-year-old facility does not violate strict environmental laws designed to protect the sensitive coastal environment, said Mark Delaplaine, a commission staff member who specializes in ensuring that federal agencies comply with such laws.

The commission has never received the required paperwork.

The commission also asked its staff members to look into holding a public hearing to review current activities at the 107-foot-high radar facility, Delaplaine said. And finally, Monday’s review prompted the commission to decide to hold a workshop that will look into possible hazards posed statewide by electromagnetic fields discharged from sites ranging from cellular telephone towers to military bases.

Although the commission took no formal action, nearby residents were pleased with the renewed commitment by state officials to press the military for more information on any potential health threat from electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sophisticated facility at the entrance to the Port of Hueneme.

“Many of the commission [members] did seem to understand there was a problem,” said Silver Strand Beach resident Lee Quaintance after the nearly 90-minute meeting in Monterey.

Vickie Finan, a member of the board of the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District, agreed.

“I’m pretty satisfied that the commission supports the community in requesting that the Navy comply,” she said.