The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is holding a public meeting to solicit comments on a proposal to improve Kwigillingok Airport.  The purpose of the proposed project is to improve safety at the airport and correct the deficiencies of the existing airport by bringing the airport up to current standards for a Community Class Airport.  The existing runway at the airport is short, narrow, and unlit. The airport has a deteriorated surface with substantial rutting, ponding and unevenness. The village relies on its airport for essential services including passenger transportation, mail and cargo delivery, and medical evacuations.

The first phase of the proposed project includes the following components:

• Shift and widen the existing runway and safety area
• Raise runway above 100-year flood elevation and shift embankment
• Rehabilitate and raise existing taxiway and apron
• Replace electrical equipment building (EEB) on apron
• Install airfield lighting system
• Install an overhead power line to power the new EEB and airfield lighting system
• Install a lighted wind cone, segmented circle, rotating beacon and supplementary wind cone.
• Construct erosion protection on northeast and southwest portions of runway embankment where runway is within close proximity to tidal channel

Construction for the first proposed project phase is anticipated to begin in summer 2026. The public meeting will address and offer an opportunity to comment on future project phases as well.

The proposed project would comply with all applicable authorities including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; Executive Order-11990 (Wetland Protection); Executive Order-11988 (Floodplain Protection); Executive Order 11593 (Historic Preservation); Executive Order 13084 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments); the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; U.S. DOT Act Section 4(f); Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; Endangered Species Act; Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Management Act; and Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act.

The project would encroach into a 100-year floodplain.  Floods are a result of runoff from precipitation events and coastal storm surges. Project actions that may encroach into the 100-year floodplain or the floodway would include:

• fill to alter the location and dimensions the existing runway and safety area
• fill to raise and shift the runway embankment
• fill to install new power poles and navigation aids
• fill to construct channel erosion protection
• fill for potential future improvements to the apron, taxiway, access road, and winter trail

Proposed floodplain and floodway encroachments would be designed to result in minimal to no obstructions to floodwaters and no anticipated change to the base floodplain elevation. Therefore, the project would not result in significant encroachments as defined in 23CFR 650.105(q) and USDOT Order 5650.2(4)(p)

A public meeting on the proposed project is scheduled for April 10, 2025, at 1:00 pm, at the Tribal Council Office in Kwigillingok, Alaska

In addition to the opportunity to comment at the public meeting, written comments can be submitted via mail or email to the following by April 25, 2025

 
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 Steven Rzepka, P.E., Project Manager, at 269-0592 or at steven.rzepka@alaska.gov.

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.