NOTICE OF AVAILABITLITY

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

The Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed construction and operation of the Interior Alaska Veterans Cemetery (IAVC) in Salcha, Alaska. The Proposed Action evaluated in the EA incudes the full Master Plan developed for the IAVC which is comprised of two Phases. Phase I activities include:

• construction of entrance road, parking areas, and pathways,
• installation of 600 columbarium niches (two walls), 358 pre-placed crypts, and space for 294 in-ground cremains,
• widening and paving of Westerlund Street, within the existing right-of-way, to provide primary access to the cemetery from Johnson Road,
• grading and resurfacing De Halden Lane,

• construction of an administration / maintenance building with garage,
• construction of an entry monument and gate, committal shelter, memorial wall, flag assembly area, cremated remains scattering garden, and public information center,
• the existing well will be improved and a septic system will be installed along with fencing, gate(s), lights, fuel storage, signage, and drainage structures as appropriate.

Phase II components represent the remaining build out of the IAVC through 2076 based on anticipated internment needs. These components include the installation of 1,000 columbarium niches (five walls), 2,272 pre-placed crypts, and 798 in-ground cremain plots.

The EA also covers long term operation of the cemetery. Operations would include administration activities, custodial services, and regularly scheduled landscaping and maintenance to ensure the upkeep of the grounds and associated physical infrastructure such as roads and buildings.

The Draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to determine the potential environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic impacts associated with the IAVC.

After development of the Draft EA, the DMVA concludes that the project will have no significant impact on the human and natural environment. Therefore, the DMVA has proposed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), which incorporates findings of the Draft EA and concludes that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. The Draft EA and FONSI are available for review electronically at (https://publicinput.com/x63182
and https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx) and available in print upon request.

Please provide any comments on the Draft EA and FONSI by July 25, 2025, to be included in the Final EA and FONSI. The final FONSI completes the NEPA review process for this Proposed Action. Comments should be sent to Kristi McLean at kmclean@rmconsult.com. For additional information, contact Verdie Bowen at Verdie.bowen@alaska.gov or 907-334-0874.