July 03 2024

BZN Conducts Environmental Assessment Ahead of Proposed Airport Improvements

BZN Airport
The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is conducting an Environmental Assessment to identify and mitigate any potential environmental impacts ahead of proposed airport improvements.

What is an Environmental Assessment and why is it being conducted now?
The purpose of an Environmental Assessment (EA) is to determine whether a proposed action, in this case proposed airport improvements, has the potential to significantly affect the human and natural environment.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is evaluating several proposed improvements, including runway extension and widening, taxi lane and apron construction, water, sanitary sewer, road, drainage and fencing construction, and lighting improvements.

To accommodate these improvements, sections of Airport Road, Lagoon Road, Tubb Road, and East Baseline Road will be removed, with new access being provided by a new proposed roadway connecting Jetway Drive to the Frontage Road (S-205). Some utilities, extensions, and navigational aids will also be relocated, and the turf runway location will be reviewed.

The EA will identify and assess the potential environmental impacts of implementing the proposed improvements and reasonable alternatives.

Why are proposed airport improvements needed?
The recent 2020 Master Plan reflects passenger and aircraft activity at the Bozeman airport is growing. Increased aircraft activity represents a need for additional space, aircraft facilities and redundancy.

The proposed improvements will allow Bozeman Yellowstone Airport to provide capabilities to safely and efficiently accommodate existing and forecasted operations, runway redundancy, provide an area to meet the demand for hangars in a safe and efficient manner, and to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.

What is the timeline for the EA and proposed improvements?
The EA must be conducted before improvements can begin. The environmental assessment process will take several months to complete. Once the EA is complete, the community will have the opportunity to review the report and provide comments.  It is proposed to complete the EA in early 2025 with public review, with the potential for the earliest of the proposed improvements to begin construction in summer or fall of 2025.

How can I get more information?
Updates and opportunities for engagement will be provided throughout the process. To stay up to date, check this page regularly for information and upcoming engagement activities. If you would like to receive email updates, please contact Kristine Fife at kristine@bigskypublicrelations.com.

Please direct EA comments and questions to: teickman@m-m.net

November 3, 2024
9:06PM
, 11/3/2024