ORANGE COUNTY

Irvine Co. Negotiates Swap: Discussions are expected to continue this week between Orange County’s largest private landowner and the Department of Interior regarding a possible land swap in which the development giant could gain control of all or part of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in exchange for property bordering the Cleveland National Forest. Federal officials were in Orange County two weeks ago meeting with Irvine Co. executives about the proposal for future control of the 4,700-acre military base, which is scheduled to close in 1999, according to officials. It is unknown whether such an enormous swap would boost or hinder prospects for building a commercial airport at El Toro.