Boise Airport Begins Master Plan Study Update, Noise Study Approved by FAA

Boise, Idaho – The Boise Airport announced they will begin the process of updating their master plan, last completed in 2010. The master plan update, which is expected to take between 12 to 18 months to complete, will be a comprehensive planning study that describes short, medium, and long-term development plans to meet future aviation demand. The airport completes a master plan update every 7 to 10 years, or as needed due to industry changes.

The goal of the master plan is to provide the framework needed to guide future airport development that will satisfy aviation demand, while considering potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts in a cost-effective manner. The plan will include an inventory of existing facilities, evaluation of current facilities, provide aviation forecasts, identify facility requirements, review of alternative analysis, develop an airport layout plan, provide an implementation plan and a financial feasibility report.

Community stakeholders will have opportunities to be briefed on the master plan progress and provide input at key milestones. Public meetings will be held to review, discuss and seek input on the following items; master plan goals, inventory of existing facilities, forecasts of future aviation activity, facility requirements, facility alternatives and preferred alternatives, and the capital improvement plan.

The first public meeting is expected to take place in October at the Boise Airport. The public can gain additional information regarding the master plan study by visiting the airport’s website. The airport will be proactive in reaching out to the community throughout the study with advertisements, newsletters, and social media. The master plan update is completely separate from the Part 150 Noise Study, which was recently approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Part 150 Noise Study
On May 10, 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration published a notice in the federal register announcing its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of Boise, comply with the requirements of 14 CFR Part 150. A notice of approval for the second portion of study, the Noise Compatibility Program, was printed in the federal register and has been effective since August 24, 2016.

The FAA approved seven of the 13 proposed measures. Six land use measures were disapproved, as the FAA cannot conditionally approve measures beyond its jurisdiction. Even though some land use measures were disapproved for the purposes of Part 150, in its record of approval, the FAA encouraged the airport to continue carrying out the land use measures, consistent with achieving the goals of reducing existing non-compatible land uses around the airport.

This action is the final FAA acceptance and approval of the Boise Airport Part 150 Noise Study.

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About the Boise Airport (BOI)
The Boise Airport is a municipally owned entity operating as a self-supporting enterprise. No City of Boise general funds are used to operate the airport. BOI is served by six airlines which offer daily service to 20 nonstop destinations. In 2015, nearly three million passengers traveled through the Boise Airport.