Notice2026-02688
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Basing F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Squadron at Gowen Field-Idaho Air National Guard Base, Ada County, Boise, Idaho
Primary source
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Published
February 11, 2026
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentAir Force Department
Abstract
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts associated with basing an F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Squadron at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, as well as the required facility improvements and construction necessary to support the mission. The squadron would consist of up to 21 F-16 Block 40 aircraft (18 primary and three backup/reserve) to replace the fleet of 21 A-10C aircraft (18 primary and three backup/reserve) currently operating.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6202-6203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02688]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for Basing F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Squadron at Gowen Field--
Idaho Air National Guard Base, Ada County, Boise, Idaho
AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is issuing this Notice
of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to
assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts
associated with basing an F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Squadron at
Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, as well as the required facility
improvements and construction necessary to support the mission. The
squadron would consist of up to 21 F-16 Block 40 aircraft (18 primary
and three backup/reserve) to replace the fleet of 21 A-10C aircraft (18
primary and three backup/reserve) currently operating.
DATES: A public scoping period of 30 days will take place starting from
the date of this NOI publication in the Federal Register. Comments on
alternatives or impacts and on relevant information, studies, or
analyses with respect to the proposed agency action are requested and
will be accepted at any time during the EIS process. To ensure
sufficient time to consider public input in the preparation of the
Draft EIS, scoping comments should be submitted in writing to the
website or the address listed below within the 30-day scoping period.
The Draft EIS is anticipated in Summer 2026 and the Final EIS is
anticipated in Spring 2027.
ADDRESSES: The project website, <a href="http://www.gowenfieldf16eis.com">www.gowenfieldf16eis.com</a>, provides
information on the EIS and the scoping process and can be used to
submit scoping comments online. Scoping comments may also be submitted
by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9dd3dadfb3dededca9dbb3d3d8cddcded2d0d0d8d3c9ced2effadde8eeb3fcfbb3f0f4f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eea0a9acc0adadafdaa8c0a0abbeafada1a3a3aba0babda19c89ae9b9dc08f88c0838782">[email protected]</span></a>, including ``F-16 Gowen
Field EIS'' in the subject line, or by mail to Ms. Kristi Kucharek,
National Guard Bureau, NGB/A4FR, 3501 Fetchet Avenue, Joint Base
Andrews, MD 20762. EIS inquiries and requests for digital or print
copies of scoping materials are available upon request to Ms. Kucharek
at the email or mailing address provided. For printed material
requests, the standard U.S. Postal Service shipping timeline will
apply. Members of the public who want to receive future communications
informing them about the availability of the Draft and Final EIS are
encouraged to submit the contact form on the project website.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For inquiries regarding accommodations
under the Americans with Disabilities Act or questions regarding the
Proposed Action, scoping, and EIS development please contact Ms. Kristi
Kucharek, NEPA Project Manager at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eda3aaafc3aeaeacd9abc3a3a8bdacaea2a0a0a8a3b9bea29f8aad989ec38c8bc3808481"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b3fdf4f19df0f0f287f59dfdf6e3f2f0fcfefef6fde7e0fcc1d4f3c6c09dd2d59ddedadf">[email protected]</span></a>
or by phone at (208) 422-5028.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DAF is the lead agency and the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) is serving as a cooperating agency. The
purpose of the Proposed Action is to effectively maintain combat
capability and mission readiness for the 124th Fighter Wing (124 FW)
based at the Idaho Air National Guard (IDANG) Base at the Boise Air
Terminal/Gowen Field (BOI) in Boise, Idaho by transitioning the 124 FW
from an A-10C Thunderbolt II mission to an F-16 Fighting Falcon
mission. The Proposed Action is needed because the A-10C fleet is
reaching the end of its service life and is consistent with DAF plans
to divest all A-10 aircraft by FY2029. The EIS will assess the
potential environmental consequences of the proposed beddown,
operation, and associated infrastructure construction supporting one
squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft at IDANG Base. The squadron
would consist of up to 21 F-16 Block 40 aircraft (18 primary and three
backup/reserve). The EIS will also assess a No Action Alternative.
Resource areas to be analyzed include airspace, noise, air quality,
biological and natural resources, cultural resources, water resources,
geological resources, land use/noise compatible land use,
socioeconomics, hazardous materials/waste, infrastructure and
utilities, transportation and parking, community services, and
aesthetics.
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Potential significant impacts include those related to aircraft noise,
air quality, and land use. Should any permits or other authorizations
be required for the Proposed Action, the NGB and DAF will identify and
obtain each.
Scoping and Agency Coordination: Consultation will include, but not
necessarily be limited to, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act,
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and will include
consultations with federally recognized Native American Tribes. The
scoping process will be used to involve the public early in the
planning and development of the EIS to assist in identifying issues and
information to be addressed in the analysis. To effectively define the
full range of issues to be evaluated, DAF and NGB will determine the
scope of the analysis by requesting comments, including potential
alternatives, information, and analyses from interested local, State,
and Federal elected officials and agencies, Tribes, members of the
public, and others. Comments may be submitted at any time during the
process, however, to ensure consideration in the Draft EIS, comments
should be received within 30 days of the publication of this notice in
the Federal Register. Comments received via email, on the website, or
by U.S. mail will be considered equally.
Crystle C. Poge,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. 2026-02688 Filed 2-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3911-44-P
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