Washington, D.C. - Congressman David Price (D-NC) released the following statement today after the Navy reported that it is abandoning its original site recommendations for an Outlying Landing Field (OLF) and will initiate a new process to examine five alternative sites.

Price helped lead opposition to the Navy's initial preferred site in Washington County, which is located next to a national wildlife refuge. He inserted a provision in the recently-enacted Omnibus Appropriations Act (Public Law 110-161) stripping funding for the OLF in Washington County.

"After spending three years fighting the Navy's plans to locate its landing strip next to a wildlife refuge in eastern North Carolina, I am pleased the Navy has formally abandoned the Washington County site. Today's announcement signals that the process of examining alternative sites in North Carolina and Virginia will begin anew. As the 30-month environmental impact study proceeds, I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure that the Navy fully examines and takes into account the impact of each site on the environment, Navy personnel and local stakeholders."

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