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Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Southcoast Region

NOTICE OF INTENT TO BEGIN ENVIRONMENTAL & ENGINEERING STUDES

AND

NOTICE OF PROPOSED DEMINIMIS SECTION 4(F) FINDING:

JNU Glacier Highway/Twin Lakes Drive-Lemon Road Culvert Assessment

Project: SFHWY00083 / 0955019

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is requesting public comment on an intended de minimis Section 4(f) impact finding for the subject project adjacent the Twin Lakes Park & Recreation Area (Park). Publicly owned parks and recreation areas are specific properties afforded protections under Section 4(f) of the USDOT Act of 1966. Section 4(f) ensures that the project takes into consideration potential effects to the features, attributes or activities provided by the Park.

Currently, approximately 61 culverts along the project corridor have been cleaned and assessed.

Further project activities include
• Slip-lining 13 culverts
• Replacing 3 culverts and 1 drainage inlet
• Potential partial excavation for culvert installation
• Acquisition of 4 permanent drainage easements
• Placement and removal of temporary fill

Description of project impacts to 4(f) property:

DOT&PF must acquire four (4) permanent easements at four separate locations along the multi-use path that parallels the roadway facility. The need for acquiring easements is to ensure the continued maintenance of those culverts that cross under the multi-use path as these locations; easements range between 200-500 square feet. The replacement of the culverts and drainage inlet would require either detours or partial closures for up to 12 days during the project’s construction period

Construction is expected during the summer of 2019

After considering project impact avoidance, minimization, mitigation, and enhancement measures, as well as consultation with the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), the official with jurisdiction (OWJ) over the Park, then DOT&PF intends to make a finding that the proposed project would not adversely affect the activities, features, and attributes of the Park.

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DOT&PF is soliciting comments and information on the proposed project. Your comments would help us in the selection of a preferred concept as well as evaluate potential environmental, social and economic impacts of this project as well as impacts to historic and cultural resources.

To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide comments at the public meeting or via email or fax, or mailing address by close of business day August 16, 2018.

     Please submit your written comments to:
     Benjamin Storey, Environmental Impact Analyst
     DOT&PF, Southcoast Region      Phone: 907-465-4509
     P.O. Box 112506                         FAX: 907-465-8485
     Juneau, AK 99811-2506           E-mail: benjamin.storey@alaska.gov

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The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated November 3, 2017 and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.

Development of this proposed project would follow a process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Based on project location and scope of work, the environmental document is anticipated to be a categorical exclusion (CE). Possible affected resources include wetlands, waters of the U.S., eagles, and cultural or historic properties.

The proposed project would comply with all applicable authorities including:

     • National Historic Preservation Act Section 106            • Clean Air Act
     • Department of Transportation Act Section 4(f)            • Clean Water Act
     • EO-13175 (Consult & Coordinate w/ Ind Tribal Gov)    • EO-11990 (Protect Wetlands)
     • EO-11593 (Protect & Enhance Cultural Env.)               • EO-13112 (Invasive Species)
     • EO-13007 (Indian Sacred Sites)                                 • EO-11988 Manage Floodplains
     • Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Mgt Act         • EO-12898 (Env. Justice)

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It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that no person shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration and State of Alaska Funds. The DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

If you or someone you represent requires special accommodations in order to respond to this public notice, please call or email the project coordinator listed above or call Alaska Relay at 711 or call

(800) 770-8973 for TTY (800) 770-8255 for voice

(800) 770-3919 for ASCII (866) 355-6198 for STS

Ask the communications assistant to call the project coordinator listed above so arrangements can be made to assist you.