[Note: This report below follows-up on a story first reported by LBReport.com on April 18.]

(April 29, 2003) -- LB city staff says an airport business' proposal to store 200,000 gallons of jet fuel in four above-ground 50,000 gallon tanks at LB Airport (west of Lakewood Blvd. near Runway 25R) does not require review under the CA Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

City of Long Beach Advance Planning Officer Angela Reynolds told LBReport.com via email, "Because the project does not require any discretionary entitlements, in this case it is considered ministerial and does not require CEQA review."

In an April 25 memo to the Mayor and City Council, obtained and previously posted by LBReport.com (link below), Acting City Manager Gerald Miller said if some current outstanding fire code issues are met "there is no specific requirement that would prohibit the installation and operation of this use" and if six items required by Fire Prevention are met "the project would meet all applicable safety standards."

Mr. Miller's memo added, "The proposed project is consistent with the underlying land use/zoning and with MillionAir's lease." The business entity proposing the above-ground fuel tanks is comprised of MillionAir and Air BP.