‘Major milestone' in creation of 2nd Las Vegas airport as feds take initial step
In a social media post on X, Rosemary Vassiliadis, Clark County aviation director, said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are moving forward, issuing a Notice of Intent to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport (SNSA).
She called it 'a major milestone in our region's aviation future.'
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is ranked as the No. 8 busiest airport in the U.S., just behind Orlando and ahead of Charlotte. Officials have been working for years to address the need, which has focused on the Ivanpah Valley, along Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and the California state line.
'This important step brings us closer to addressing the increasing demand for air travel in one of the nation's fastest growing regions,' according to Vassiliadis's statement, posted on the @LASairport account on X. 'As a second commercial airport, SNSA will add much-needed capacity, improve service reliability, and ensure Southern Nevada continues to thrive as a global destination for business and tourism. We know the crucial role we play in the region, and SNSA represents the future of economic vitality for all the communities we service.'
The site could see enormous growth, but questions about water availability and conflicts with endangered species habitat — the desert tortoise — will have to be addressed in the environmental analysis of the project.
'More than 25 years in the making, we thank our federal delegation, the FAA, BLM, Clark County Board of County Commissioners and countless partners who have supported this project. This is a pivotal step for our region, and upon receiving a favorable Record of Decision, we are committed to building an airport that supports the long-term growth of our region,' Vassiliadis said.
Vassiliadis was appointed to her position in 2013.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Nature Center of Cape May in New Jersey offers families a look at the diversity of marine life
On the shore of the Cape May Harbor, kids are getting a first-hand encounter with the creatures lurking under the water. During the summer, the Nature Center of Cape May runs a Harbor Safari, a flagship program that offers families the opportunity to learn about the ecology of our coastal waters and the diversity of local marine life. "When a snail leaves to get a bigger shell, the little crabs take over the old shell," said Ralph, a volunteer who helps lead the program. Participants will pull a 20-foot seine net through the harbor and drag it back onto the beach to inspect the different kinds of fish, crabs and other creatures that call Cape May home. "Participants of all ages can help scoop up the critters and put them gently into some observation tanks, where we then learn more about them," said Emily Reed, the center's director. Reed also took CBS News Philadelphia inside the Aquatic Lab, which houses a number of saltwater tanks filled with fish, sea urchins and horseshoe crabs. It's the next stop after the safari. "So it's all local wildlife that can be found in our waters here in Cape May," Reed said. The Nature Center has been open since 1992 and offers environmental education all year long. In the nature nook, you can meet animal ambassadors like Tina the Box Turtle and Chili the Chinchilla. If you're feeling adventurous, you can climb to the third story of the center up into the observation tower, grab a pair of binoculars, and look out over the harbor. It's the perfect spot for birdwatching and trying to spot an osprey catching a fish out of the water. "Every once in a while, you might see a bald eagle come and try to steal that fish from the osprey, so bald eagles eat a variety of things," Reed said. You can also look inside the observation beehive and try to find the queen bee or walk through the pollinator garden to spot monarch butterflies. Debbie Olsyn participated in the Harbor Safari with her grandkids. "A book can show you a lot and teach you a lot, but there's nothing better than having your hands right in there," Olsyn said. It's a hands-on experience, and the Nature Center offers a variety of programs to help connect you with the environment. It is free to visit daily, but the center does charge an affordable rate for the Harbor Safari. It's $12 for adults and $6 for kids.
New York Times
4 hours ago
- New York Times
Judge Blocks F.T.C. Investigation of Media Matters
A federal judge granted an injunction on Friday blocking the Federal Trade Commission's investigation of Media Matters, saying the inquiry violated the free speech rights of the liberal watchdog group, which had published research critical of Elon Musk and his social media platform, X. In May, the F.T.C. began examining whether Media Matters illegally colluded with other advertising advocacy groups to pinch off revenue from X. Media Matters reported in 2023 that ads on X appeared alongside antisemitic content. Media Matters sued the F.T.C., calling the inquiry a 'campaign of retribution' waged on behalf of Mr. Musk and the Trump administration. On Friday, Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia agreed, calling the inquiry 'a retaliatory act' and essentially blocking it from progressing, though the F.T.C. can appeal. 'This case presents a straightforward First Amendment violation,' Judge Sooknanan wrote in her ruling. She added, 'It should alarm all Americans when the government retaliates against individuals or organizations for engaging in constitutionally protected public debate.' Andrew Ferguson, the F.T.C. chairman appointed by Mr. Trump, has argued that advertiser boycotts are a form of censorship and can eliminate funding for important online venues for speech. The F.T.C.'s investigation is among several actions by the Trump administration against leading individuals and organizations in the political left, including some elite law firms and the Democratic fund-raising platform ActBlue. As part of its inquiry, the F.T.C. is also looking into whether roughly a dozen other prominent advertising and advocacy groups violated antitrust law by coordinating boycotts among advertisers. A spokesman for the F.T.C. did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Representatives for X did not respond to requests for comment. 'The court's ruling demonstrates the importance of fighting over folding, which far too many are doing when confronted with intimidation from the Trump administration,' Angelo Carusone, the president of Media Matters, said in a statement. 'We will continue to stand up and fight for the First Amendment rights that protect every American.' Research published by Media Matters in 2023 showed that ads appeared on X alongside neo-Nazi posts and other antisemitic content. At the time, advertisers were withdrawing from the site, many citing concerns about hateful and violent content. In addition, Mr. Musk endorsed an antisemitic conspiracy theory on the platform. Mr. Musk has filed several lawsuits against Media Matters contending that its research interfered with X's advertising business, and the organization was investigated by conservative attorneys general in Texas and Missouri. Mr. Musk's lawsuits are ongoing, but a federal court halted the state investigations last year, ruling that they were likely to infringe on Media Matters' right to free speech. The legal pressures have plunged Media Matters into crisis, as the group has conducted layoffs and scrambled to raise more cash from skittish donors, The New York Times reported last month.
CBS News
5 hours ago
- CBS News
FAA issues ground stop for Denver International Airport due to thunderstorm with strong winds
A thunderstorm with gusty winds is moving across the northeastern part of the Denver metro area. As a result, on Friday afternoon the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a ground stop at Denver International Airport. The ground stop order was set to be in effect until 4:45 p.m. Departing flights to Denver are grounded.
