April 18, 2025 –
The Navy has released a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for establishment of a new Military Operations Area (MOA) and associated Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA) east of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans (NAS JRB NOLA), Louisiana to accommodate flight training activities for squadrons stationed at the base. The Proposed Action is to request that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) establish the block of special use airspace (SUA) east of NAS JRB NOLA to be named the Bourbon MOA/ATCAA.
The Final EA analyzes the impacts of executing flight training activities within the boundaries of the new Bourbon MOA/ATCAA from 4,000 feet mean sea level up to approximately 32,000 feet. Training activities in the Bourbon MOA/ATCAA would be similar to those occurring in the existing adjacent training airspace and include non-hazardous activities such as functional check flights, basic fighter maneuvers, and familiarization training.
The Draft EA was made available for public review and comment from August 22 through October 6, 2024. No public comments were received.
Based on the analysis presented in the Final EA, which has been prepared in cooperation with the FAA and in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and Navy policies and procedures (32 Code of Federal Regulations Part 775), and in accordance with FAA airspace and NEPA policy and procedures contained in FAA Joint Order (JO) 7400.2P and FAA Order 1050.1F, with input from regulatory agencies, and public review of the Draft EA, the Navy finds that the Proposed Action will not significantly impact the quality of the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared, and a FONSI has been issued.
The Final EA and FONSI are available at: https://www.nepa.navy.mil/NOLASUA and at local libraries (Belle Chasse Branch Library, 8442 LA-23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 and the Plaquemines Parish Library, 35572 Highway 11, Buras, LA 70041). An electronic copy may also be obtained by written request to: NOLA SUA EA Project Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic, Attn: Code EV21JB, 6506 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia 23508.