Dulles, Virginia, September 24, 2003 - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in cooperation with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) today announced two Public Workshops on the second phase of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for adding two new runways at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The workshops are designed to gather public comments on the preliminary runway alternatives, as well as on the results of FAA's analysis on the existing social, natural and physical environment in the IAD Study Area. The public is invited to attend either open house session.

The public workshops are scheduled for October 7 & 8 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

As one of the busiest airports in the country, 17 million passengers and 358,000 tons of cargo, freight and mail were serviced through IAD in 2002. In order to accommodate the projected demands for air transportation at IAD, MWAA has proposed constructing two new air carrier runways along with completing associated facility improvements. The addition of two new runways at IAD has been planned for since the publication of the 1985 Master Plan Update.

In the spring of 2002, the FAA selected an EIS study team to assist the FAA in the evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of building and operating the new runways. As part of the ongoing EIS process, the team has completed its review of extensive data on the forecasts for passenger and cargo growth at IAD. The study team has also completed a preliminary evaluation of runway alternatives and developed information on the existing social, natural and physical environment in the EIS Study Area. The upcoming meetings will provide an opportunity for the FAA to share this information with the public and receive comments. Interested individuals, organizations and agencies are encouraged to participate in and provide feedback on this information. The presentations will be informal with the use of information stations.

Scheduled workshops:

Following the workshops, the study team will compile all comments and incorporate them into a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Once the Draft EIS is released in Fall 2004, public hearings will be held to offer the public an opportunity to comment on the Draft EIS.

Comments may be submitted at the workshops or by mail to Mr. Frank Smigelski, FAA, Washington Airports District Office, 23723 Air Freight Lane, Suite 210, Dulles, Virginia 20166; email [email protected]; or fax to 703-661-1370. Mailed statements should be postmarked by October 24, 2003. For those who may require special assistance to attend or participate in the meetings, please call Deborah Cordell at least 48 hours in advance of the meetings at 301-863-2474.