EIS PROCESS

The primary purpose of an EIS is to ensure that Federal government programs and actions meet the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 goals and policies. This EIS is conducted by the FAA as the Federal lead agency responsible for ensuring that airport development projects, such as those proposed by the Friedman Memorial Airport Authority (FMAA), are in compliance with environmental regulations. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a cooperating agency because one of the alternative sites selected for detailed study in Phase II is located on BLM land. The potential environmental impacts of the proposed action are assessed in accordance with NEPA. The NEPA process encompasses a body of Federal laws that are intended to protect the nation's environment. As required by NEPA, input on the proposed action is sought from local, state, and Federal agencies and the public.

The EIS will occur over four phases. Phase I, which began on September 7th, 2007, independently reviewed and supplemented the information from the Site Selection and Feasibility Study and included additional planning, forecasting, and scoping activites. From these activities, three site alternatives were selected for more detailed study in Phase II of the EIS.