In cooperation with the Alaskan Region Airports Division of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is soliciting comments and information on a proposal to rehabilitate the Mekoryuk Airport in Mekoryuk, Alaska on Nunivak Island. The purpose of the proposed project is to enhance safety and improve infrastructure at the Mekoryuk Airport by rehabilitating or replacing deteriorating elements.
The proposed work would include:
Rehabilitating the runway, taxiway, apron, and access road.
Installing a new Snow Removal Equipment Building (SREB) adjacent to the apron
Adjusting the access road profile to address drainage concerns and culvert replacements
Replacing the existing airfield lighting system
Replacing the rotating beacon on a new tip-down pole
Replacing the segmented circle and lighted wind cone and relocating these adjacent to the apron
Installing aircraft tie-downs
Replacing the 96-inch diameter culvert under the access road with a larger diameter fish passage culvert and raising
the road as required to mitigate seasonal flooding issues.
Replacing or adding 24-inch diameter culverts under the access road to improve drainage
Applying dust palliative
Extending utilities to the new SREB location
Potentially altering utilities along the airport access road
Potentially installing improvements to restrict runway access
Potentially restoring navigation aids that may be impacted by correcting the runway grades
Potentially installing new signs in the project area as needed
Potentially acquiring construction easements/permits along haul routes to the barge landing
Potentially utilizing a disposal area on airport property for excess material
Materials to construct the proposed project would either be barged in or sourced from a material site within the community of Mekoryuk. New haul routes or barge landings may be developed to access material sites.
This proposed project will comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; Executive Orders: 11990 (Wetlands Protection), 11988 (Floodplain Protection), 12898 (Environmental Justice), 11593 (Historic Preservation), 13084 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments); the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and U.S. DOT Act Section 4(f).
Construction for the proposed project is anticipated to occur in the summer of 2022 and is expected to take one construction season to complete. To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide written comments to the following address by March 15, 2021.
Brian Elliott, Regional Environmental Manager
DOT&PF Preliminary Design & Environmental
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Jenelle Brinkman, P.E., Project Manager, at 269-0606 or Bob Effinger, Environmental Impact Analyst, at 269-0531.
It is the policy of the 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. Individuals with a hearing impairment can contact DOT&PF at our Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (907) 269-0473.