Community Involvement — Las Vegas

April 6, 2020 Update

The FAA has been preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Las Vegas Metroplex project, the purpose of which is to optimize aircraft arrival and departure procedures and improve air traffic flow on a regional scale. The work leading up to the FAA's publication of the Draft EA in November 2019 reflected engagement with our airport partners, communities, and private industry stakeholders. After the Draft EA was published, the FAA received public comments through Jan. 21, 2020.

As the FAA approached a time frame to finalize the EA and put the airspace changes on a trajectory for implementation, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. The FAA reconsidered the project timetable and ultimately decided to delay issuing a decision on the project's Final EA. The agency will continue to evaluate the project timetable in the coming weeks, and will remain engaged with stakeholders about any change in status.

Project Description

The FAA is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., and FAA Order 1050.1F to document the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed optimization of aircraft routes and the supporting airspace management structure serving aircraft operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) while departing from or arriving to the Las Vegas area.

The Las Vegas Metroplex Project would improve the efficiency of airspace in the Las Vegas Metroplex area by optimizing aircraft arrival and departure procedures to and from the following airports (referred to as the EA Study Airports):

• McCarran International Airport (LAS)
• Henderson Executive Airport (HND)
• North Las Vegas Airport (VGT)

Additionally, flight procedures for the following airports are being developed and are included in the EA but these airports were not included as EA Study Airports because the Project would result in little or no change to their operations.

• Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU)
• Temple Bar Airport (U30)
• Triangle Airpark (AZ50)
• Echo Bay Airport (0L9)

The Project proposes changes in aircraft flight paths and altitudes in certain areas, but would not result in any ground disturbance or increase the number of aircraft operations at any of the above airports.

To evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the Las Vegas Metroplex project, the FAA has established a General Study Area, consisting of areas around the above airports. The General Study Area is used to evaluate the potential environmental impacts resulting from changes in aircraft routing proposed to occur below 10,000 feet above ground level (AGL).

• Fact Sheet (PDF)

Project Status: Evaluation

A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was released on November 18, 2019. The Draft EA (and an associated Correction Document) are available as follows:

1. Online at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/community_involvement/las/ and http://www.metroplexenvironmental.com/las_metroplex/las_docs.html
2. Electronic versions of the Draft EA and Correction Document have been sent to 28 libraries in the General Study Area with a request to make the digital documents available to patrons. A complete list of libraries (PDF) that have electronic copies of the Draft EA that have electronic copies can be found here (PDF).

The public comment period for the Draft EA and Correction Document ran through Jan. 21, 2020.

FAA Finding under the National Historic Preservation Act

In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. § 470 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the FAA has engaged in consultation with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and other consulting parties regarding the potential for the project to affect historic properties. The FAA has made a finding of "no historic properties affected," which is documented in a January 27, 2020 letter to the SHPO. The letter is available for public inspection at:
http://metroplexenvironmental.com/las_metroplex/las_docs.html (see "FAA Finding under the National Historic Preservation Act" under the heading "Supplemental Materials").

For more information on the Las Vegas Metroplex Project, please visit the link below:

• ATAC Environmental website

Community Engagement Opportunities

Past Workshops

Past Workshops 2019 (PDF)

Past Workshops 2017 (PDF)

Contact

For additional information please contact:

Documents/Resources

How Air Traffic Control Works in Las Vegas Metroplex

Additional Las Vegas Metroplex Information

• Public Workshop Outreach Boards Dec-2019 (PDF)
• Public Workshop Environmental Assessment 1 of 2 Dec-2019 (PDF)
• Public Workshop Environmental Assessment 2 of 2 Dec-2019 (PDF)
• Public Workshop Information Display Boards April-2019 (PDF)
• Printable Public Workshop Comment Form (PDF)
• Public Workshop Invitation April-2019 (PDF)
• General Information April-2017 (PDF)
• Flight Paths April-2017 (PDF)

Supplemental Materials

• Las Vegas Metroplex Fact Sheet (PDF)

In January 2017, the FAA kicked off a project to redesign airspace, introduce new Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures, and make use of Time Based Flow Management (TBFM) to make the Las Vegas Metroplex airspace more efficient with improved access to its airports. Some of the airports in the focus area include: Henderson Executive (HND), McCarran International (LAS), and North Las Vegas (VGT). The information below may also include data from nearby airports outside of the Las Vegas Metroplex (please see the Reference Guide for additional information).

Projected Annual Benefits

Source: FAA – Las Vegas Metroplex Design Team

Value of Fuel Savings

$4.7 Million

Fuel Savings

1.6 Million Gallons

Carbon Savings

13.6 Thousand Metric Tons

These preliminary annual benefits estimates are models based on the assumption that the Las Vegas Metroplex improvements will address the issues that the FAA identified in the Las Vegas airspace. Post-implementation estimates based on actual flight data will differ from the preliminary estimates. The value of the preliminary fuel savings estimates is based on a $2.85-per-gallon rate.