Deering Airport and Access Road Improvements Project Update Project Numbers (State/Federal): NFAPT00249 / AIP TBA August 12, 2020 Project Staff • Jonathan Hutchinson, P.E., DOT&PF Project Manager • Paul Karczmarczyk, DOT&PF Environmental Analyst • Monique Garbowicz, Stantec Project Manager • Kacy Hillman, Stantec Environmental Scientist Project Background Overview of past projects and how we got to where we are now. 1. Bureau of Indian Affairs developed plans and completed an Environmental Assessment in 2017 for the West Airport Road Project to provide Deering with an emergency evacuation route and more reliable access to the airport. The project proposed a new bridge over Smith Creek. Current Project. 1. The project purpose is to remedy deficiencies at the Deering Airport by resurfacing per FAA guidance, and meet criteria identified in the Alaska Statewide Transportation Plan (ASTP) and Alaska Aviation System Plan (AASP) 2. Deering Airport has two gravel surfaced, perpendicular runways designated as Runway (RW) 3-21 and RW 12-30. Over time, winter snow removal operations have graded most surfacing off both runways’ surfaces, resulting in persistent rutting and water ponding on the underlying runway embankment. Additionally, drifting snow collects west of the runways’ intersection, requiring a substantial snow removal effort and creating springtime meltwater ponding adjacent the runway embankments. These conditions require extra maintenance and as a result keep airport maintenance costs high. The airfield’s surface course and lighting system are also beyond their useful life and need rehabilitation and replacement, respectively. (continued on page 3) An aircraft right before take off at the Deering Airport. The instability of the embankment clearly showing along the edge of the runway. Runway looking south east. Page 1 Page 2 3. The Deering Airport and its access road community and the airport. The ice jam Environmental are also subject to flooding due to spring also extended to one runway threshold ice jams in the Inmachuk River and strong, embankment (Figure 2). In 2016, these DOT&PF is evaluating potential effects to the environment as periodic storm surges from Kotzebue conditions caused the State of Alaska to required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Sound. For example, in 2015 and 2016, declare a community disaster at Deering. as well as other federal and state regulations. Activities include ice jams at the Inmachuk River mouth There are no documented flood events completion of special studies, an Environmental Assessment submerged portions of the airport access overtopping the airport surfaces. document, and individual permits and agency clearances. road (Deering-Inmachuk Road). The access road, which lies mostly off airport property, Special Studies provides access between the Deering 1. Desktop Wetland Delineation: We are using the wetland delineation completed as part of the West Airport Road project to delineate and map Historic Flooding (Spring 2016) wetlands for the airport property boundary. The desktop wetland mapping will be used to permit wetland impacts associated with airport improvements through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Ponding West of Runway Intersection 2. Geotechnical investigations: Geotechnical investigations will be conducted on several Inmachuk River potential material sources located on gravel bars in the Flooding Inmachuk river as well as within previously developed sites along existing roads southwest of Deering. Environmental Assessment (EA) As required under NEPA, we will complete an EA document for the proposed project which will include an assessment of the affected environment within the project area, and an evaluation of potential impacts to the natural and human environment as a result of the proposed improvements. An important aspect of the Deering Airport EA will be identification of ways to avoid and minimize impacts, Runways and mitigation for impacts that cannot be avoided. Public participation is an important aspect of this process. Permits and Clearances Source: RFP 25-17-1-070 Attachment 1Deering In addition to compliance with NEPA, several other federal and state regulations apply to this project, including but not limited to Deering Airport, - Figure Spring2 - 2016 the following: Source: RFP 25-17-1-070 Attachment 1 1. Wetland Permitting: • The west airport road was permitted for wetland impacts through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2016. • A permit application will be submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the airport improvements. 2. Title 9 Permit Application: A Title 9 permit application will Wetlands adjacent to the be submitted to the Northwest Arctic Borough Planning runway looking north. Department for the proposed project. PageImage 3Source: DOT 10/12/2019 Page 4 Deering ¯ Ê STATE OF ALASKA o Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 2301 Peger Road Fairbanks, AK 99709 Project Location DEERING AIRPORT AND ACCESS ROAD IMPROVEMENTS DEERING, ALASKA Service Layer Credits: USGS The National Map: National Boundaries Dataset, 3DEP Elevation Program, Geographic Names Information System, National Hydrography Dataset, National Land Historic Flooding (Spring 2016) Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, and National Transportation Dataset; USGS Global 1 inch = 5 miles Ecosystems; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line DATE: June, 2020 FIGURE 2 Document U:\2047062400\gis\mxd\agency_scoping_figures\2047062400_SC_Fig02_Flood.mxd Path: ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! New Bridge ! ! ! ! ! ! Smith Creek ! ! ¯ ! ! ! ! ! ! 3. Fish Habitat Permit: A fish habitat permit will be submitted ! ! New Bridge ! ! ! to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for in water ! ! ! ! Smith Creek Proposed Action Site Plan! ! ! work to construct the bridge over Smith Creek and if ¯ ! ! ! project material would be removed from a permitted ! ! ! material site within the Inmachuk River floodplain. Timing ! ! ! ! New Bridge ! 6 of in-water work will be coordinated with the Alaska ! ! ! ! Smith Creek ! ! Department of Fish and Game to avoid impacts to fish. ! ¯ 21 3 ! ! ! 12 ! 4. Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for ! ! ! potential impacts to Threatened and Endangered Species. ! Deering Airport ! ! 6 1 ! ! 1 ! 5. Consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service for ! 2 1 2 4 ! ! ! potential impacts to Essential Fish Habitat. 21 4 3 ! 5 ! 5 ! ! 12 ! 6. Consultation with the Alaska State Historic Preservation ! Inmachuk River ! 6 Officer on potential impacts to nationally eligible cultural Deering Airport 6 ! ! 7 historic resources that may occur within the project area. 1 ! 1 21 3 ! 1 2 1 ! 2 2 ! 4 12 ! ! 4 5 4 ! 5 ! 5 ! 1 Project Design Deering Airport2 ! Inmachuk River 4 We are considering the following improvements to resolve issues 1 1 ! 5 30 2 1 ! 6 2 at the airport. As the preliminary design progresses, additional ! 7 4 ! 5 4 details will be provided. 1 ! 5 ! 2 4 Inmachuk River Proposed Action Items: 5 1 6 3 2 ¯ 7 Deering 1. Rehabilitate the runway, taxiway, and apron surfaces by Ê 4 1 30 adding a new layer of gravel. 5 2 4 5 Map 2. Repair the runway embankment that has started to show 1 Location surface cracks due to settlement. 2 8 Service Layer Credits: USGS The National Map: National Boundaries Dataset, 3DEP Elevation 4 Program, Geographic Names Information System, 30 National Hydrography Dataset, National Land 3. Construct a new airport access road, including a new 5 Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, and National Transportation Dataset; USGS Global 3 ¯ Image Source: DOT 10/12/2019 (See Figure 6) 1 inch = 5 miles Ecosystems; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line bridge over Smith Creek. Deering Ê Image Source: DOT 10/12/2019 0 500 1,000 1,500 Proposed Action Items: Feet 4. Apply dust control to the runway, taxiway, and apron. 1 inch = 800 feet 1 Rehabilitate and Resurface Airport Surfaces 5. Replace the airport lighting system. Map 2 Repair Runway Embankments 3 Location ¯ STATE OF ALASKA 3 Construct a New Airport Access Road andDeering New Bridge (See Figure 4) Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 8 6. Improve airport drainage Service Layer Credits: USGS The National Map: Ê 2301 Peger Road Fairbanks, AK 99709 National Boundaries Dataset, 3DEP Elevation 4 Apply Dust Palliative to Airport Ground Traffic Surfaces Program, Geographic Names Information System, National Hydrography Dataset, National Land 7. Resolve issues with snow drifting at the airport, including Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, and 5 Replace Airport Lighting System DEERING AIRPORT AND ACCESS ROAD IMPROVEMENTS National Transportation Dataset; USGS Global Image Source: DOT 10/12/2019 1 inch = 5 miles Ecosystems; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line DEERING, ALASKA (See Figure 6) 6 Improve or Re-Establish Airport Drainage Map considerations for prevailing winds, embankment Location geometry, snow management practices, and possible use Image Source: DOT 10/12/2019 0 500 1,000 1,500 7 Construct New Snow Fence (See Figure 5) Proposed Action Site Plan Feet 8 8 Service Layer Credits: USGS The National Map: of snow fencing. Proposed Action Items: Utilize Existing Gravel Bar(s) for Material SourceNational Boundaries (See Dataset,Figure 3DEP 6). Elevation Haul 1 inch = 800 feet Program, Geographic Names Information System, Material to Airport using Existing Barge LandingNational Hydrographyand eveloped Dataset, National Roads. Land 1 Rehabilitate and Resurface Airport Surfaces Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, and DATE: June, 2020 FIGURE 3 National