View

Notice

Tools

Share

DOT&PF Notice to Begin Engineering & Environmental Studies and Floodplain Encroachment: Sitka Seawalk Phase II

Project # SFHWY00312

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), in coordination with the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) and with support from the National Park Service (NPS), is proposing to improve accessibility to the Sitka National Historical Park (SNHP) and downtown Sitka by constructing a seawalk.

The proposed project would continue the Sitka Seawalk from the Sitka Public Library to the O'Connell Lightering Facility and on to Totem Square and Lincoln Street. The proposed 8-foot-wide pedestrian pathway would include tidal fill with a riprap armor slope adjacent to Harbor Drive. Depending on the costs, the pathway would be gravel, asphalt or concrete surfacing and equipped with barriers or handrails as needed for safety along with lighting. The project would also include interpretive signs and other pedestrian amenities if the budget allows.

The project involves placing fill within marine waters, and as such, will include encroachments into the base floodplain (Flood Map 02220C0412D, Zone VE). The encroachments are anticipated to be minor, with no net changes to the base flood elevation, thus they are not likely to result in significant encroachments. Additionally, no longitudinal encroachments are anticipated.

This project is divided into three sections. Construction for Section 2 is anticipated in 2023 or 2024 and for Sections 1 and 3 when funding is available.

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 waters of the U.S., bald eagles, and cultural or historic properties.

The project would comply with all applicable authorities including:
• Alaska Statute 41.35.070 Historic Preservation
• Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
• Clean Air Act
• Clean Water Act   
• Endangered Species Act 
• EO-11988 (Floodplain Management)
• EO-12898 (Environmental Justice)         
• National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

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

Please submit your written comments to:
Kathryn Erickson, Environmental Impact Analyst
DOT&PF Southcoast Region
P.O. Box 112506
Juneau, AK 99811-2506
Phone: (907) 465-4498
Fax: (907) 465-4414
Email: kathryn.erickson@alaska.gov 

To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide comments via email, fax, or mailing address by August 7, 2022.

It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and 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 (FTA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and State of Alaska funds. 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.

Attachments, History, Details

Revision History

Created 7/7/2022 10:13:15 AM by asaggiomo
Modified 7/7/2022 10:15:10 AM by asaggiomo

Details

Department: Transportation and Public Facilities
Category: Public Notices
Sub-Category:
Location(s): Sitka, Southcoast Region
Project/Regulation #: SFHWY00312
 
Publish Date: 7/8/2022
Archive Date: 8/8/2022
 
Events/Deadlines: