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~ <br />Element 15: Public Information Process <br />Description: The general public is most often .painfully unaware of the <br />contributions an airport makes to the local economy and its <br />infrastructure.. When airport expansion is required to support future <br />demand, the ~ublic often views expansion as: a threat to safety. It <br />is therefore vital that, from the ince~tion of the study, every effort <br />is made to keep the Eugene commumty, informed of the Master Plan <br />process and the needs of Mahlon Sweet Field. This element will <br />~ focus on positive communication with the public. <br />Methodolog,}r: AvPlan's public. information process for the Master Plan will <br />incorporate the following elements: <br />1. News Releases <br />From the inception of the study, AvPlan will be available to prepare <br />news releases for the Cit~ of Eugene to submit to local media. The <br />news .releases will be wntten in a clear and concise fashion to brief <br />the public on the progress and findings of the Master Plan. Copies <br />of news releases will be forwarded to the FAA. <br />2. Workshons <br />The FAA master planning process does not require a formal "public <br />hearing." However, it is important that the public be given the <br />opportunity to comment on the Master Plan and be ;educated <br />concerrung the needs of the Airport. <br />The "public hearing" process often provides a forum for negativism <br />toward the Airport. To avoid this, AvPlan proposes a workshop <br />forum. This type of. approach provides one-on-one contact with the <br />public. The workshops are typically advertised well in advance in <br />the local media and in some instances individual invitations are <br />mailed to ensure attendance by key -.parties. The workshops are <br />typically held at local schools from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., providing the <br />maximum opportunity for attendance. Booths are established to <br />provide information on the Airport, as well as on proposed projects, <br />to concerned individuals. AvPlan has often used this workshop <br />a~proach to effectively inform and educate the public concerning <br />airport needs. Two workshops are planned; these workshops will be <br />scheduled in conjunction with Advisory Committee Meetings or IPS <br />gatheririgs. AvPlan's officer in charge will be present for each <br />workshop. <br />Output: The out~ut of .. the public information process will be the <br />continuation of the consensus-building process requir~d to ensure the <br />implementation of key development projects. This element is <br />~ designed to ensure that the public has a clear understanding of the <br />needs of the Airport and the projects required to meet these needs. <br />Coordination: Extensive coordination with the City of Eugene and. the A.irport is <br />anticipated to develop and implement the public coordination process. <br />-29- <br />