The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has assumed the responsibilities of the Federal Highway Administration under 23 U.S.C. 327 and is requesting public comments on an intended de minimis Section 4(f) finding for proposed impacts resulting from resurfacing the Bird to Girdwood trail that generally parallels the Seward Highway and is located within the Chugach State Park.  The Chugach State Park is protected under Section 4(f) of the USDOT Act of 1966.  The DOT&PF believes after consultation with the Park Superintendent and consideration of impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation or enhancement measures, the proposed project will not adversely affect the activities, features, and attributes of the Chugach State Park that qualify it for protection under Section 4(f).  Unless public comment identifies significant factors not previously considered, the DOT&PF intends to formalize this finding.

Potential impacts to the Chugach State Park include some disruption of use of the Bird to Girdwood trail.  Disruptions may include partial or full closures of the shared use trail between Alyeska Highway and Seward Highway Mile 99, lasting up to three days for each closure, to allow for construction activities.  Accessory features such as viewpoints, interpretive sites, picnic shelters and bathrooms that are not accessible by other routes will also be closed during the trail closures.  The proposed work will remove vegetation that is impacting the pavement surface, restore ditches to original designed dimensions, replace culverts that are approaching their end of life, and repave the trail at its current width, alignment, and grade. The work will improve the utility of the recreational facility for its intended purposes by improving the smoothness and durability of the paved trail.

To ensure consideration of all issues concerning the proposed work within the Chugach State Park, we request you submit comments no later than the close of business on 12/16/2022.  Please send comments to:

Brian Elliott, Regional Environmental Manager
DOT&PF Preliminary Design & Environmental
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900
Brian.Elliott@Alaska.gov

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Julia Hanson, P.E., Project Manager, at 269-0753 or julia.hanson@alaska.gov.

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.

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. Individuals with a hearing impairment can contact DOT&PF at our Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (907) 269-0473.