Proposed site of the Ivanpah Valley Airport in the Nevada desert.
The environmental review process for the Ivanpah Valley Airport has officially commenced this week, with the FAA and BLM overseeing its assessment of potential environmental impacts. The airport, located 30 miles south of Las Vegas, has been in planning for 25 years with significant public engagement scheduled. While the project aims to alleviate demand on Harry Reid International Airport, it faces opposition from local activists concerned about environmental impacts on ecosystems and wildlife.
The environmental review process for the long-anticipated Ivanpah Valley Airport, also known as the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport, has officially commenced this week, bringing the project closer to realization. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are overseeing this critical phase, which will assess the potential environmental impacts of constructing the airport about 30 miles south of Las Vegas on public land.
The planning and preparation for a second commercial airport in Southern Nevada have been in motion for nearly 25 years, as highlighted by Jim Chrisley, Clark County’s Senior Director of Aviation. The designated site spans approximately 6,000 acres, reserved for the airport facility, with an additional 17,000 acres allocated for transportation and utilities corridors that will support the operation of the airport.
To encourage public engagement and gather feedback, the FAA and BLM hosted a Public Scoping Meeting at the East Las Vegas Library on Wednesday. This meeting marked the initial opportunity for residents and stakeholders to voice their opinions regarding the environmental consequences of the airport project.
The public has until September 5 to submit comments about the proposed development, and a series of public meetings are scheduled to ensure adequate discussion on the topic. The first of these meetings will take place virtually on July 29, followed by in-person gatherings on July 30 in East Las Vegas and July 31 in Primm.
The Environmental Impact Assessment process is expected to span approximately two years, aiming for completion by 2025. After the public comment period concludes, a draft Environmental Impact Statement is anticipated by June 2027, which will be subject to further public hearings in July 2027. If all regulatory approvals and planning stages progress as scheduled, a Record of Decision could be reached by May 2028, allowing for the design and construction of the airport.
Once operational, the new airport could open as early as 2037, contingent upon successful acquisition of all necessary approvals. Its construction is partly a response to increasing demands on Harry Reid International Airport, which is projected to reach full capacity by 2030, servicing between 63 to 65 million passengers annually.
Despite the potential economic and logistic benefits, the project faces significant opposition from various community and conservation groups. Many attendees at the public scoping meeting expressed their concerns, particularly regarding the impact on vulnerable ecosystems.
Key objections spotlighted threats to the critical desert tortoise habitat and endangered wildflower species that may inhabit the construction area. Local conservationists organized a demonstration outside the library during the event, underscoring the compounded concern over potential urban sprawl that could arise from airport development.
The land allocation for the Ivanpah Valley Airport was authorized through the Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act in 2000, with a proposal from Clark County following in 2006. The overarching goal of the airport project is to augment capacity, enhance service reliability, and sustain Southern Nevada’s reputation as a prime destination for travel and business.
As the environmental review process moves forward, the FAA and BLM remain committed to incorporating public input into all stages of the planning. Organizations advocating for environmental protections stress the necessity of considering the well-being of local wildlife and ecosystems when determining the viability of the airport project.
Southern Nevada Proposed Supplemental Airport Moves Forward
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