In case you missed it (or if you don’t read the Federal Register every day), the “Notice of Intent (NOI) To Prepare An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Proposed Conversion to the F-15 Aircraft for the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard At Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, CA” was posted in the Federal Register on July 15, 2011.

You can read it HERE.

Basically, it appears it’s a step in the process to take the F-15s from the Montana Air National Guard and put them in Fresno, California:

“…the National Guard Bureau is issuing this notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare an EIS to evaluate the potential environmental impacts that could result from the proposed conversion to the F-15 aircraft at the 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW) installation at Fresno-Yosemite International Airport.

The Air Force will be holding two scoping meetings, too!  Scoping meetings help identify issues and gather input from the public:

A scoping meeting will be held in the ballroom at the Piccadilly Inn—Airport, 5115 E. McKinley Avenue, Fresno, CA, on 2 August 2011; and a second scoping meeting will be held at the TownGate Community Center, 13100 Arbor Park Lane, Moreno Valley, CA on 4 August 2011, from 6-9 p.m.

Maybe they should hold a meeting in Great Falls, Montana?  Hopefully some Montana F-15 supporters will attend these meetings in person and give some input.  If not, there’s an address listed in the NOI to send written comments.

Although it’s a step in the process, it’s a step where comments are taken and issues can be raised – and I think very important for the future of the F-15s in Montana.