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Environmental safety measures are an important element in the long-term development of all EAST LINE Group companies. The Group’s environmental activities are carried out in compliance with the Federal Law “On Environment Protection”, ordinances of the Russian Government, regional and local authorities.

Such environmental activities are planned, performed and financed as provided in long-term targeted programmes and comprehensive plans to technically upgrade the companies.

The Group’s environmental activities comprise a number of basic components.

The Group approved and launched the “Programme to Reduce Hazardous Effects on the Environment of Liquid Waste Dumped by Domodedovo Airport Services”. Under the programme liquid waste treatment facilities will be designed and constructed in 2005-2010 at points of storm water discharge.

Within the framework of runway 1 reconstruction, investments will be allocated to build:

• surface water treatment facilities that will cover the whole of the first maneuvering area;
• aircraft deicing sites equipped with a collection system, which are also viewed as an important element in implementation of the Group’s long-term environmental plans.

Currently, a landfill is being constructed for disposal of solid household and construction waste collected both in the territory of the airport and the whole of Domodedovo district. The first complex comprising a site for solid household and construction waste was commissioned in August of 2003 and was followed by two more complexes in 2004. For all works we employ up-to-date technologies (impervious barrier) to protect soil, ground, and surface water from contamination with waste disposal-related substances.

All waste delivered to the landfill undergoes radiation monitoring to prevent radioactive waste to be disposed of there. A control room equipped with an automated reading system was set up to monitor and register delivered waste.

An environmental monitoring programme was developed, which monitors surface and underground water and air. Two exploratory water wells were drilled for monitoring and taking samples from underground sources to prevent contamination of water reserves. The air monitoring is also performed.

Currently, possibilities of recycling the waste for its further use in production are being examined (disposable items, cardboard, etc.).

All EAST LINE Group’s officials do obligatory training in methods and techniques of environmental monitoring at production sites.

The Group’s accredited laboratory located at Domodedovo Airport constantly monitors the compliance of storm water and liquid waste with the effective standards.

Also, experts from Domodedovo International Airport continue to examine the noise pollution challenge and search for ways to reduce it, including tools to monitor aircraft noise in the adjacent populated areas. Negotiations were launched with a foreign company to test and set up an acoustic noise control centre.

In addition to earlier amendments to Operational Instructions, further measures to reduce the noise load were developed.

In 2004, a NOTAM was issued to amend output circuits and takeoff course with view to cut flight intensity, new output procedures were published in aeronautical manuals issued by the Centre of Aeronautical Information of Civil Aviation. Procedures for reducing noise at takeoff and altitude gain stages were developed in compliance with ICAO requirements.

The Centre of Automated Air Traffic Control located in Moscow indicated enhanced monitoring by air traffic controllers of how crews comply with the effective rules and outbound tracks, descent and landing approach procedures.

Environmental factor is the basis for providing ornithological support for flights, which is one of the key elements of aviation security. Currently, there are numerous techniques – pyrotechnic, acoustic, chemical, optical - to control the birds at airports.

Domodedovo Airport Ornithological Service controls the airfield for flight security purposes to reduce bird hazard.

Domodedovo is the only airport in the Moscow aviation hub that uses game birds for flight security purposes. Thus, populations of birds are controlled, with the natural balance kept undisturbed by chemical and pyrotechnical means.

By the end of 2005, a hatchery for game birds will be set up. It was designed based on research done by Domodedovo Airport Ornithological Service.

The hatchery of over 1 hectare is located in the immediate proximity to the airport, next to the town of Bunyakovo.

Domodedovo airport ornithologists developed a comprehensive programme to both use birds for flight security purposes and breed rare bird species to train them according to special techniques and give to bird control services of other Russian airports. For that, special equipment (hatching units, training devices such as receivers) were bought from foreign companies, unique techniques were developed.

Now the bird control service has a “staff” of 8 goshawks brought from Chukotka by an expedition specially sent for them.

Shortly, EAST LINE Group’s experts intend to both increase the amount of game birds trained to patrol the airport and to implement a programme for keeping and breeding birds from the hawk family in captivity. That will enhance flight security as well as protect rare and endangered bird species in Russia.

With EAST LINE Group implementing its annual environmental plans, environmental situation in the territory of the airport and adjacent areas satisfy environmental monitoring requirements.