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BACKGROUND

The EIS is a Federal process that seeks to disclose any environmental effects of proposed Federal actions. This process is also used to obtain all necessary environmental permits required by Federal and state agencies prior to construction.

The FAA has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the public that an EIS, under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, would be prepared to consider the siting and construction of a replacement airport for the Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), Hailey Idaho. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a cooperating agency because one of the alternative sites selected for detailed study in Phase II of the EIS is located on BLM land.

NOTICE OF INTENT

FAA - PDF
BLM - PDF

The Friedman Memorial Airport Authority (FMAA), as the sponsor of the project, has proposed to construct and operate a replacement airport for SUN within Blaine County, Idaho.

SUN is located in Hailey, Idaho and serves the Wood River region of South Central Idaho. SUN currently does not and cannot comply with FAA airfield design standards on the limited land owned by the airport. In addition, the airport is close to numerous residences and has mountainous terrain on the east, west, and north sides that preclude instrument approach procedures.

Alternatives at the existing airport site have been explored, but they provide no benefit to reliability and safe operation in either good or adverse weather conditions. Considering the limitations of the existing airport, elected and appointed officials in Blaine County, Idaho have decided to evaluate the environmental impacts of building and operating an airport that meets FAA design standards and supports an instrument approach. Several alternatives, as well as the No Action alternative will be evaluated.

The EIS will determine all impacts to the environment, such as, but not limited to, noise, air quality, water quality, wetlands, fish, wildlife, plants, farmlands, floodplains, historic/tribal resources, hazardous wastes, socioeconomics, and economic factors.