As Joint Lead Agencies (JLA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), discontinued preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the construction of the Proposed Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport (SNSA) initiated in 2006 under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. Due to recent legislative changes to the NEPA statute, and to establish an official start date for the environmental review of the proposed SNSA, the FAA, in cooperation with the BLM, are issuing this notice to advise the public that we are canceling the existing EIS process that was started in 2006, and are beginning a new EIS and Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) to assess the potential impacts of the proposed SNSA.

The EIS/RMPA will address a range of reasonable alternatives to meet the purpose and need, and are technically and economically feasible. The range of alternatives identified during the scoping process may include alternatives other than the Proposed Action. The alternatives may include, but are not limited to, expansion of Harry Reid International Airport (formerly known as McCarran International Airport) and use of other existing airports. The alternatives will also include a no-action scenario as required by NEPA.

The BLM intends to prepare an RMPA for the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport Project and seeks public input on issues and planning criteria. The RMPA to modify the Visual Resource Management (VRM) class is being considered in order for the BLM to evaluate the establishment of the Ivanpah Transportation and Utilities Corridor, which will require amending the existing 1998 Las Vegas RMP.

The FAA’s purpose and need for the Proposed Action is to ensure that Clark County’s proposed supplemental commercial service airport for the Las Vegas metropolitan area provides for safe and efficient air transportation pursuant to the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended (Pub. L. 85–726), meets airport design standards, and complies with Public Law 106–362.

The BLM’s purpose for the Proposed Action is to convey the identified federal lands to facilitate the development of the SNSA. The BLM’s need for the Proposed Action is for the BLM to comply with Public Law 106–362; Public Law 107–282; and Public Law 113–291, provided that conditions set forth in the Public Laws are met and to meet agency responsibilities as required by section 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA) (Pub. L. 94–579). As a result of proposed infrastructure within the Interstate 15 South Corridor designated per Public Law 107–282, the BLM has also determined that it will evaluate the need for a RMPA for this project, and as a result the document will be a combined EIS/RMPA following the requirements of the BLM’s land use planning regulations cited in 43 CFR part 1600. Accordingly, the BLM will consider whether to amend the 1998 Las Vegas Approved Resource Management Plan/Record of Decision within the proposed Project area to modify the Visual Resources Management (VRM) class.

Clark County Department of Aviation agreed to a three-year EIS schedule.