Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

DESIGN & ENGINEERING SERVICES PRELIMINARY DESIGN & ENVIRONMENTAL

PO Box 196900 Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900 Main: 907.269.0542 Toll Free: 800.770.5263 TDD: 907.269.0473 TTY: 800.770.8973 Fax: 907.243.6927 July 1, 2014

Project: Soldotna – Funny River Road Improvements Project No.: 0001(432) / 53750

Re: Request for scoping comments

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has assumed the responsibilities of the Federal Highway Administration under Section 326 of amended Chapter 3 of Title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C. 326), and is soliciting comments and information on a proposed project to rehabilitate approximately 0.75-mile of Funny River Road between milepost (MP) 0.25. (approx.) and Airport Heights Street (see Figure 1). The proposed project is located within Section 32, Township 5 N., Range 10 W., Seward Meridian; and on USGS Quad Map KEN B-3.

Purpose and Need

The purpose of the proposed project is to increase safety and extend the service life of Funny River Road. The existing roadway lacks consistent shoulders beyond the first 0.25-mile and displays signs of degradation and wear (ruts, cracks, potholes).

Proposed Action

The proposed project would include the following (see Figure 2): • Widening to accommodate 4-foot shoulders • Resurfacing • Adjusting the horizontal and vertical alignment (centerline will stay within the existing roadway) • Installing or replacing drainage infrastructure (ditches, culverts) and signage • Relocating utilities • Clearing and grubbing vegetation • Paving approaches

Existing Site Conditions or Facilities

Funny River Road is a two-lane, two-way facility that links Soldotna and communities along the Sterling Highway with the Soldotna Airport and the community of Funny River (located approximately 15 miles to the east of the Sterling Highway). The designated speed limit is 35 miles-per-hour (mph) along the western half of the project corridor (near the Sterling Hwy intersection) and 45-mph near the western terminus of the project (Airport Heights Street). Sporadic ditching is present along the roadway; storm drain infrastructure is absent. Adjacent land uses are industrial (gravel pit), commercial (RV park, lodging, fishing charters), institutional (church), and residential. The surrounding topography is generally flat with land sloping downhill towards the Kenai River just north of the project area. Spruce, birch, willow, and alder are present along the project corridor.

Preliminary Environmental Research

“Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

The proposed project is not expected to involve any significant environmental impacts and a Categorical Exclusion document will be prepared (23 CFR 771.117). DOT&PF conducted preliminary research using the most current available data to identify environmental resources within the project vicinity. This information is contained in Preliminary Environmental Research (attached). To ensure that all factors are considered in developing the proposed project, please provide your written comments, recommendations, and the additional requested information to our office no later than July 31, 2014.

If you have any questions on the environmental effects, please contact Ryan Riddle, Environmental Impact Analyst, at (907) 269-0545, or via email at [email protected]. Questions concerning the engineering aspects of the proposed project can be directed to Cynthia Ferguson, P.E., Project Manager, at (907) 269-0589 or [email protected].

Sincerely,

Brian Elliott Regional Environmental Manager

Enclosures: Preliminary Environmental Research Figure 1: Location & Vicinity Map Figure 2: Proposed Project

Cc: Matt Dietrick, Environmental Team Leader, PD&E Cynthia Ferguson, P.E., Project Manager, Highway Design Ryan Riddle, Environmental Impact Analyst, PD&E PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

Air Quality An April 29, 2014 review of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Air Non-Point Mobile Source website indicated that the proposed project is not in an air quality maintenance or non- attainment area for National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Estimated Ground Disturbance and Clearing Activities The proposed project is anticipated to involve 4.7 acres of ground disturbance. Ground disturbance will be associated with roadway widening, approach paving, ditch linear grading, culvert replacement, vegetation clearing and grubbing, and utility relocation. Vegetation clearing would be limited to DOT&PF right-of-way (ROW) and would extend along the length of the project as necessary.

Fish Streams A search of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Atlas to the Catalog of Waters Important to the Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of Anadromous Fishes on April 29, 2014, indicated that no resident or anadromous fish streams are located within or immediately adjacent to the project area.

Floodplains and Regulatory Floodways A review of the Federal Emergency Management Administration online Federal Insurance Rate Maps on April 29, 2014, indicated that the project is located in Zone C on map 0200122045C. Zone C is defined as an area of minimal flooding. No special flood hazard areas are located within the proposed project corridor.

Hazardous Waste On April 29, 2014, DOT&PF conducted a search of the ADEC online databases to ascertain the presence of contaminated sites within or adjacent to the proposed project area. No sites were located within the project area. Two sites are located in the vicinity of the project (both approximately 0.15-mile away). The Al Bishop Wrecking Yard site (Hazard ID 174) is active and listed for soil contamination (lead and petroleum hydrocarbons). The Spenard Builder’s Supply – Soldotna site (Hazard ID 25169) has a status of cleanup complete (with institutional controls) and is listed for petroleum contaminated soil. Due to spatial separation, cleanup status, and the presence of proposed activities within existing right-of-way (ROW), no contact with contaminated soil or groundwater is anticipated.

Historic Properties, Archaeological and Cultural Resources On March 17, 2014, DOT&PF reviewed the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) Alaska Heritage Resources Survey (AHRS) online database to ascertain the presence of cultural resources within or adjacent to the proposed project; none were found.

Invasive Species An April 29, 2014 search of the University of Alaska Anchorage Exotic Plants Information Clearinghouse (EPIC) Invasive Plants Mapper indicated that several invasive plant species are located in the vicinity of the proposed project. The project is anticipated to involve minimal vegetation loss in association with ditching, clearing and grubbing, and shoulder widening. DOT&PF will comply with Executive Order 13112 by ensuring that ground disturbing activities are minimized, and disturbed areas are re-vegetated with certified weed-free native soil and seed.

Material and Disposal Sites The contractor would supply material for the road, subgrade structure and surfacing. Similarly, the contractor would obtain disposal sites. If the contractor elects to use an undeveloped material site, contract language will require the contractor to acquire all necessary permits and clearances for the site(s) and provide copies to the DOT&PF Project Engineer prior to development. Per DOT&PF specifications, the contractor will also be responsible for implementing a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. Material from a borrow site that has not received the appropriate permits and clearances will not be accepted for project construction.

Migratory Birds and Eagles’ Nests Migratory bird species may nest in roadside vegetation and be disturbed by clearing operations. The proposed project has a low potential to impact migratory birds as DOT&PF ROW north of the project corridor (where most clearing will occur) is largely clear of trees and shrubbery due to previous utility installations. Clearing and grubbing would not be permitted within the migratory bird window of May 1 to July 15, except as permitted by Federal, State, and local laws and approved by the Project Engineer.

In August 2013, the project area was surveyed for active eagle nests. None were sighted within 660 feet of the project area.

Noise The proposed action is not anticipated to result in permanent noise impacts. The project is not a Type 1 project as defined in 23 CFR 772.5, and per DOT&PF’s April 2011 Noise Policy, no noise analysis will be required.

Permits and Authorizations The project may require the following permits: • USACE Section 404 Permit for the placement of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. (wetlands) • Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) Construction General Permit (CGP) coverage

Right-of-Way The proposed project is not anticipated to require the acquisition of ROW.

State and National Wildlife Refuges, State and National Parks, Critical Habitat Areas and Sanctuaries A review of the National Parks Service website; ADF&G listing of State of Alaska Refuges, Critical Habitat Areas, and Sanctuaries; and the ADNR Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR) website (all reviewed on April 29, 2014), revealed that no State Parks, National Parks, Wild and Scenic Rivers, State Refuges, Critical Habitat Areas, or Sanctuaries are present in the project vicinity.

A review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wildlife Refuge website on April 30, 2014, indicated that the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 0.10 mile to the south. No construction activities are proposed within or adjacent to the refuge.

Threatened and Endangered Species The online USFWS initial project scoping tool (IPaC) and ADF&G threatened and endangered species website were reviewed on April 29, 2014, to determine if any threatened or endangered species or their habitats are located within or adjacent to the proposed project corridor. None were listed.

Water Quality Potential receiving waters for the project are Kenai River (located approximately 400 feet north of the project area) and roadside wetlands located to the west of the intersection with Misty Place. Kenai River is not listed as impaired in ADEC’s 2010 Impaired Waters List. Temporary construction-related water quality impacts would be mitigated through the implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan in accordance with the APDES CGP.

Wetlands and Other Waters of the U.S. On April 29, 2014, DOT&PF reviewed the USFWS National Wetland Inventory Mapper and Kenai Peninsula Borough Interactive Parcel Viewer for the presence of wetlands adjacent to Funny River Road; none were mapped adjacent to the project corridor. On August 13, 2013, DOT&PF delineated wetlands adjacent to Funny River Road in the vicinity of Misty Place. Wetlands do not appear to have a surface hydrologic connection to the Kenai River, but may be waters of the U.S. due to a subsurface connection (the Kenai River is located approximately 425 feet to the north of the wetlands). The current design is anticipated to impact approximately 0.18 acres of wetlands. No other waters of the U.S. are located within or adjacent to the project area.

Soldotna: Funny River Road Improvements Project No. 53750 LOCATION & VICINITY MAP Figure 1 BEGIN PROJECT

St. Heights Airport

r ive R ai en K

EOP

Funn y River Road

y a

w h g i

g n i l BOP r e t S

Kenai Naonal Wildlife Refuge

LEGEND 53750 ‐ Soldotna: Funny River Road Improvements

Funny River Rd Centerline FIGURE 2

PROPOSED PROJECT