COMMENT PERIOD FOR LAX MASTER PLAN EXTENDED 60 DAYS; SIX ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HEARINGS TO BE HELD

(Los Angeles, California - July 17, 2001) The public comment period for the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Master Plan and related Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) will be extended 60 days and six additional public hearings will be held, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials announced.

The additional hearings will be arranged by mutual agreement between LAWA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at the request of Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn in a letter received today by LAWA Executive Director Lydia H. Kennard. The expiration date for the comment period is now 5 p.m. PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) Monday, September 24, 2001.

"We are delighted that the mayor has chosen to hold additional hearings on the urgent issue of aviation infrastructure," Kennard said. "It is important that interested citizens throughout the Southland have additional opportunities to make their views known related to the future safety, security and service levels of Southern California's premier international gateway facility."

The extension of the comment period will permit the FAA and LAWA to conduct six additional public hearings in the Southland in addition to three previously held. Four of the additional hearings will be held in the City of Los Angeles - in the San Fernando Valley, the eastside area of the City, the Harbor area, and the Fairfax/mid-Wilshire area. Two more hearings will be held at Ontario and Palmdale in the communities where LAWA owns and operates two other commercial airports.

The times, dates and meeting locations will be announced within two weeks. Those who cannot attend one of the public hearings can submit their views in writing to the FAA or LAWA through 5 p.m. September 24, 2001. Comments submitted by that date will be considered equally with those provided at the public hearings. Send comments to:

Mr. Jim Ritchie
City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles World Airports
Master Plan Office
P.O. Box 92216
Los Angeles, CA 90009-2216

More information on the LAX Master Plan, including the entire contents of the Draft EIS/EIR, is available online at www.laxmasterplan.org