Joint Base Andrews, Md. –
For Immediate Release
Contact: AFDW Public Affairs
Phone: 240-612-6484
May 9, 2016
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO HOST PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE MEETINGS
Meetings Will Address Proposed Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program
Joint Base Andrews - The United States Air Force will host two public scoping meetings to discuss the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being prepared for the implementation of the proposed Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program at Joint Base Andrews. The meetings will be held using an Open House format, which allow attendees to arrive any time during the meeting and speak to project representatives at poster stations. The meetings will take place at VFW Post 9619, 6527 Suitland Road in Morningside, MD. The schedule is as follows:
· Monday, May 23, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
· Tuesday, May 24, 2016, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Through the PAR Program, the Air Force proposes to construct a new Presidential Complex with a multi-bay hangar to accommodate the proposed replacement to the VC-25A aircraft that currently transports the President of the United States (POTUS). Facility and mission relocations necessary to accommodate hangar construction include the Hazardous Cargo Pad (HCP), the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Proficiency Range, the Auxiliary Satellite Site, areas of the existing golf courses, and the Military Working Dog (MWD) Kennel.
Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), which established a national policy to protect the environment by requiring consideration of the environmental effects of major federal actions, the EIS will consider if and how the proposed PAR Program will affect the quality of the human environment. These scoping meetings, conducted under NEPA authority, will enlist public participation to assist Air Force representatives in identifying public issues and concerns associated with the PAR Program, and defining the scope of analysis for the EIS. The Air Force will consider the information in the EIS in its decision making and document it in the Record of Decision (ROD).
During the open house, representatives from the Air Force will be available to describe the proposed action and no-action alternative, define the process involved in preparing the EIS, outline the opportunities for public involvement in the process, and answer questions about the project. These meetings offer an opportunity for the public to learn more about the PAR Program and the EIS process, as well as to provide comments.
For additional information on the PAR Program and the EIS process, please visit the project website at
www.parprogrameis.com.
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