With big plans for the future of Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), we are thrilled to have recently submitted the draft Master Plan to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA will be responsible for reviewing and approving the Airport Layout Plan, which identifies envisioned airport facilities for a 20-year planning period.
The Airport Master Plan is our roadmap to making PSP even better: think updated gates, a new rental car center, and a new customs facility to support international travelers. But before we break ground, there’s another important step: the preparation of a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA is integral to project development because it provides a framework for considering the direct and indirect effects of the project on our region’s unique environmental resources. And you—our neighbors, travelers, and local community—have an important role in the CEQA process. So, what’s an PEIR, and why does it matter to PSP? Let’s break it down.
The purpose of CEQA is to identify and disclose the potential environmental effects of proposed projects prior to local decision making. Although detailed studies are required to identify potential environmental effects, the goal of CEQA is not to produce big documents, but to make better decisions. CEQA review will help us to avoid and minimize potential environmental effects every step of the way—from master planning through project design, construction, and operation. CEQA also helps us to be transparent by providing a structure and opportunities for community input.
What’s happening now?
The airport team has initiated environmental studies, and we continue to collect data, consult with subject matter experts, and conduct analyses. An approximately 18-month timeframe is associated with the CEQA review process, during which we’ll be looking at everything—from the direct and indirect effects of building and pavement construction to the potential environmental impacts associated with increased passenger travel to and from the airport—and identifying opportunities to avoid and minimize potential impacts.
First Step: Notice of Preparation (NOP)
The City undertook its first step in the CEQA process by issuing a NOP on March 27, 2025. The brief NOP alerts agencies and stakeholders of the City’s plans to prepare a Program Environmental EIR (PEIR). The NOP will be available for public comment during a 30-day period from March 27 through April 26, 2025. In addition, the City will host a virtual meeting using Zoom on April 15, 2025, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to address the scope and effort associated with the PEIR and to identify important environmental considerations that should be considered in the analysis.
NOP: https://flypsp.com/business/document-library/ and palmspringsairportmasterplan.com
Virtual Meeting , April 15, 2025: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81490714183
Public Comment Period: March 27, 2025, through April 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Written Comments to: Nikki Gomez, Aviation Planner
Airport, 3400 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 1
Palm Springs, CA 92262.
Email: [email protected]
Your input on the NOP will help us to shape the forthcoming PEIR by focusing on environmental resources and issues rather than the Airport Master Plan and its components.
We want your input!
You will have two other opportunities to comment on the environmental analysis conducted for the Master Plan. The City will circulate both a Draft and Final PEIR in 2026, and you will be invited to review and comment on both the Draft and Final PEIR.
By the time we wrap up the CEQA process next year, we’ll have a clearer picture of our airport environment and our responsibilities as stewards of that environment. The PEIR will help us to identify the resources that contribute to our unique local environment, including those that may need extra care. In short, it will help us protect and preserve our region’s environmental assets.
We’re excited to embark on this journey with you. PSP isn’t just an airport; it’s a gateway to our vibrant community and region. Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s keep the enthusiasm going as we help to shape the future of PSP, one thoughtful step at a time.
So, what do you think? Review the forthcoming NOP, drop in virtually at our scoping meeting, and submit your written comments by April 26, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. We can’t wait to hear from you!
