Update on DCRA Communications Campaign.
In the spring of 2001, the Dulles Corridor Rail Association Executive Committee approved the outlines of a communications campaign whose purpose was to educate the public about the Dulles Corridor Rapid Transit Project (DCRPT) and build support for the rail transit alternative.  The DCRPT Draft Environmental Impact Statement and General Plans were made available to the public in June and public hearings were held on July 29, 30, and 31. 

As part of the Communications Campaign, DCRA developed to a broad-based group of 18 civic, environmental, business and health organizations in support of Dulles Rail Now! and organized testimony in support of the rail alternative for the three project public hearings July 29, 30, and 31 and for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors public hearing, which was held on August 5. 

Major Elements of the Communications Campaign were:

• Preparation of a work program and budget and fundraising for the effort

• Preparation of "Get Rail" brochure and distribution to Loudon and Fairfax County express bus riders,  Fairfax and Loudoun County Boards of Supervisors, corridor Chambers of Commerce and business groups, Fairfax County Fair, Loudoun public buildings, supermarkets in Reston and mass mailing of brochure to 3,200 residents, business and civic leaders, and elected officials on the DCRA database

• Preparation and distribution of fact sheets on the Dulles Rapid Transit Project

• Completion of a new web site design and upgrade to provide current information about the project

• Preparation of a new graphic header and footer to be used to it e-mails and printed materials

• Development of a coalition of 18 environmental, smart growth, civic, business and community groups in support of Dulles Rail Now! and presentation of testimony on behalf of the coalition.

• Press conference July 29 at the Sheraton Reston Hotel to announce support for Dulles Rail Now!, which resulted in extensive local coverage

• Sponsorship of a Seminar and Reception on July 11 on the Dulles Rapid Transit Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and land use and financial impacts

• Coordination of a press campaign to ensure articles and letters to the editor in support of the rail alternative during the month leading up to the hearings.

• Meetings with civic and business groups to provide information about the project and to advocate support for the rail alternative

Major supporters of the communications campaign are: Amalgamated Transit Workers Union Local 682, Dulles Transit Partners, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, LEADER, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, TRW, Inc., Washington Airports Task Force.