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Hanscom Field 2000 Final Environmental Report Gets State OK

August 18, 2003

The Massachusetts Port Authority's (Massport) 2000 Hanscom Field Environmental Status and Planning Report (ESPR), has received a Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) certificate from the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. The certificate confirms that the document adequately and properly complies with MEPA and its regulations.

The certificate states, "The information contained in the 2000 ESPR is a valuable tool in understanding the facilities, infrastructure, operations, and airport activity levels at Hanscom Field and its potential effect on surrounding communities, residents and resources. Massport has expended considerable time and resources in preparing information for this voluntary filing, and should be duly acknowledged for their efforts. I believe the information contained in the 2000 ESPR is vital to understanding the complexities in airport operations and environmental impacts."

The 2000 Hanscom Field ESPR studied the period between 1995 and 2000 and also looked at several potential future scenarios through the year 2015. The report found that environmental impacts were minimal for the year 2000. The review also provided sound environmental analysis for what could be the airport's potential by defining possible environmental effects, if any, under various scenarios. In an improvement over previous reports, information from various forecasts was consolidated under categories (i.e air quality, regional planning, ground transportation).

Massport provided the Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS) with $85,000 to hire a team of independent consultants to review and comment on the Draft and Final ESPR.

The Secretary encouraged Massport to continue working with the local communities on noise and traffic issues. Massport will begin drafting the scope for the 2005 ESPR in 2004. Massport is not required to file an ESPR for Hanscom Field but does so voluntarily.