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 soliciting public comments on an intended de minimis Section 4(f) impact finding for the Seward Highway: MP 25.5-36, Trail River to Sterling Wye Rehabilitation effort. The Section 4(f) finding concerns impacts the project will have on a Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) owned parcel which is designated as recreational land by KPB assembly resolution 2016-045. The parcel contains no developed recreational facilities such as trails, trailheads, viewpoints, campgrounds, boat launches, or picnic areas and can be characterized as general recreational land.
The parcel, identified as SW Government Lot 7 within Township 04 North, Range 01 West, Section 13, Seward Meridian is approximately 40.37 acres. DOT&PF proposes to acquire approximately 0.24 acres of the parcel in the NE corner, between existing DOT&PF right-of-way (ROW) associated with the Seward Highway and a high-tension powerline. The proposed permanent acquisition is necessary to facilitate stabilization and maintenance of the steep rocky slope adjacent to the highway near MP 25.5 (i.e. Trail River bridge) which has a history of rockfall & debris landing on the highway. The area of acquisition is a steep rocky slope with little function or history of recreational use. Within the area of acquisition, the current physical condition of the land does not support any known use, recreational or otherwise. Therefore, DOT&PF does not expect the 0.24-acre acquisition to result in any meaningful impact to future use of the remainder of the parcel for its designated purpose as recreational land.
As designated recreational land, this parcel is protected under Section 4(f) of the U.S. DOT Act of 1966. The DOT&PF Section 4(f) impact finding is being made in coordination with the Kenai Peninsula Borough, as the official with jurisdiction over the parcel. DOT&PF proposes a de minimis impact finding under Section 4(f) as the acquisition and permanent ROW incorporation of 0.24 acres of the parcel to facilitate construction of the project will not substantially diminish or adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities that qualify the property for protection after consideration of impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation or enhancement measures.
Construction of the effort is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2027. Interested persons can learn more about the project and larger scope of work at the project website: https://dot.alaska.gov/creg/sewardhwy25-36/.
Written comments on the proposed de minimis impact finding will be accepted from June 22 to July 22, 2026, and should be emailed or postmarked to the following recipient by July 22, 2026.
Heidi Zimmer, Regional Environmental Manager
DOT&PF Preliminary Design & Environmental
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage, AK 99519-6900
907-269-0548
heidi.zimmer@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 April 13, 2023, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.
It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities DOT&PF that no one shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, regardless of the funding source, including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety 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.