EIS Process and Timeline
Pre-Scoping Activities
In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, during pre-scoping, the FAA ensures that the Proposed Project is ready for environmental review; identifies potential cooperating and participating agencies, coordinating schedule and permitting requirements with each; and develops a preliminary purpose and need statement and project description.
Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare EIS
The FAA must publish an NOI in the Federal Register to officially begin preparing the EIS. Publication of the NOI is anticipated in early 2027. The NOI will include an overview of the Proposed Project, the preliminary purpose and need for the Proposed Project, the alternatives being considered, and contact information for the responsible FAA official.
Scoping Process
NEPA, as amended by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, and FAA Order 1050.1G provide for an early and open process to determine the scope of the alternatives to be considered and the issues to be addressed in the EIS. This is a collaborative effort that invites participation from federal, state and local agencies, applicable Native American Tribes, interested stakeholders, and the general public. The public component of the scoping process includes public meetings and the opportunity to comment on alternatives under consideration and the scope of the EIS analysis. Public scoping meetings will be held approximately 30 days after issuance of the NOI.
Purpose and Need and Alternatives Analysis
The purpose and need statement summarizes the problem being addressed, describes what is trying to be achieved, and provides parameters for defining a reasonable range of alternatives to be considered. The FAA will use the purpose and need to establish screening criteria against which all reasonable alternatives will be analyzed. The alternatives analysis will narrow the range of alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS and also explain why any alternatives were eliminated from further study.
Draft EIS
The Draft EIS will identify the project’s purpose and need and reasonable alternatives, and will evaluate potential direct and indirect environmental impacts that may result from the proposed project and any alternatives carried forward. The Draft EIS is published and made available for public review and comment for at least 45 days. A Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS will be published in the Federal Register, which marks the beginning of the public comment period on the Draft EIS. During the comment period, there will also be public meetings/workshops.
Final EIS
In preparing the Final EIS, the FAA must consider all comments received on the Draft EIS and respond to substantive comments in the Final EIS. The Final EIS must identify and discuss the environmental impacts, including any unresolved environmental issues and efforts to resolve them through further consultation.
Record of Decision (ROD)
The ROD explains the FAA's decision, describes the alternatives considered, and discusses the FAA's plans for mitigation and monitoring, if necessary. NEPA, as amended, directs that an EIS be completed within two years of the start of the environmental review (here, publication of the NOI).