ARLINGTON, Va. — The Air National Guard has extended the public comment period until Jan. 1, 2010 for the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Modification of the Condor 1 and Condor 2 military operating areas used by the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts ANG.

The Draft EIS addresses the potential environmental effects of modifying the Condor MOAs as follows: combine the Condor 1 and 2 MOAs, divide the combined military operating areas into Condor Low MOA and Condor High MOA, and lower the flight floor of the proposed Condor Low MOA from 7,000 feet mean sea level to 500 feet above ground level. Condor Low MOA would extend from 500 feet AGL up to, but not including, 7,000 feet MSL. Condor High MOA would extend from 7,000 feet MSL up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL.

The draft EIS can be viewed online at http://www.maine.gov/mdot/angcondor/index.htm or:

* Rangeley Public Library: 7 Lake St., Rangeley, Maine 04970

* Rumford Public Library: 56 Rumford Ave, Rumford, Maine 04276

* Monson Public Library: 10 Tenney Hill, Monson, Maine 04464

* Bingham Union Library: 297 Main St., Bingham, Maine 04920

* Bremer Pond Memorial Library: 12 School St., Pittsburg, N.H. 03592.

Anyone wishing to comment on the draft EIS may do so. Comments can be submitted via mail, e-mail, or telephone. To ensure consideration, ensure that comments are received by Friday, Jan. 1, 2010 by Lt Col Mike Milord, National Guard Bureau Public Affairs, Jefferson Plaza 1, 1411 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Ste 11200, Arlington, Virginia 20222, or via e-mail mike.milord1@us.army.mil; or by calling 703-607-2780, and via fax 703-607-3680.

The Air National Guard will sponsor a public hearing on the Draft EIS at a date to be determined, but on or before Dec. 15, 2009. Notification of the date and time of the hearing will be made via local news venues and the Maine Department of Transportation website identified above.