Statement by the Pierre Auger Collaboration

(The statement below was approved by the Pierre-Auger Collaboration Board Meeting on May 1st, 2003.)

The Pierre Auger Collaboration is committed to build the full Southern Observatory in Argentina. We have assessed the compelling scientific case for full-sky coverage. We aim to construct a second observatory site in the Northern hemisphere after completion of the Southern site. The expected start is in the year 2006.

The Northern Auger site should have a layout to allow seamless combination of data from both hemispheres. We aim for the largest possible aperture and want to make use of new technologies when appropriate to achieve our objectives. This includes upgrades and extensions of the Mendoza site. The Northern site has been chosen to be in the USA. The selected site is in Millard County, Utah; a possible alternative site is in Colorado.

We are making dedicated efforts to obtain funds for completion of the Southern site and for construction of the Northern site. In particular, the US groups will submit a Letter of Intent in September 2003. We seek the support of the Finance Board to execute the plan outlined above.