Updated Siting Analysis SITKA SEAPLANE BASE November 2016 UPDATED SITING ANALYSIS SITKA SEAPLANE BASE SITKA, ALASKA Prepared for: City and Borough of Sitka 100 Lincoln Street Sitka, Alaska 99835 Prepared by: DOWL 4041 B Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503 (907) 562-2000 W.O. 62147 November 2016 Updated Siting Analysis Sitka, Alaska Sitka Seaplane Base November 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1 2.0 PURPOSE AND NEED .......................................................................................................1 3.0 INVENTORY ..................................................................................................................2 4.0 AVIATION FORECAST UPDATE.....................................................................................5 4.1 Historical Aviation Data ....................................................................................................5 4.2 Previous Sitka SPB Forecasts ............................................................................................6 4.3 Updated Sitka SPB Forecast Data ......................................................................................7 4.4 Updated Socioeconomic Data ...........................................................................................7 4.5 Forecast Methods ............................................................................................................11 4.5.1 Comparisons With Other Local and Regional Aviation Forecasts ..........................11 4.5.2 User Interviews .........................................................................................................12 4.6 Sitka Seaplane-Based Aircraft Forecast ..........................................................................15 5.0 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS .........................................................................................20 6.0 ALTERNATIVE SITES ....................................................................................................25 6.1 2002 Study ......................................................................................................................25 6.2 2012 Study ......................................................................................................................27 6.2.1 Existing Seaplane Base Site ......................................................................................28 6.2.2 Eliason Harbor Alternative .......................................................................................37 6.2.3 Japonski Island Alternative .......................................................................................40 6.2.4 Evaluation of Alternative Layouts ............................................................................43 7.0 RECOMMENDED SITE ...................................................................................................47 8.0 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ...............................................................................................48 9.0 ECONOMIC IMPACT OF A NEW SEAPLANE FACILITY AT SITKA ......................49 10.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................52 Page i Updated Siting Analysis Sitka, Alaska Sitka Seaplane Base November 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont) FIGURES Page Figure 1: Existing Sitka SPB Looking North ..................................................................................3 Figure 2: Existing Sitka SPB (A29) .................................................................................................4 Figure 3: deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver Dimensions .......................................................................21 Figure 4: Floating Hangar - Petersburg .........................................................................................24 Figure 5: Previously Evaluated Sites .............................................................................................26 Figure 6: Re-evaluated Sites ..........................................................................................................27 Figure 7: Alternative Layout 1A – Existing Site (A29) .................................................................30 Figure 8: Alternative Layout 1B – Existing Site (A29) .................................................................32 Figure 9: Alternative Layout 1C – Existing Site (A29) .................................................................34 Figure 10: Alternative Layout 1D – Existing Site (A29) ...............................................................36 Figure 11: Eliason Harbor Site at Low Tide ..................................................................................38 Figure 12: Alternative Layout 2 – Eliason Harbor Site .................................................................39 Figure 13: Alternative Layout 3A – Japonski Site.........................................................................41 Figure 14: Japonski Island Site and Operating Area .....................................................................42 TABLES Table 1: FAA TAF for Sitka Seaplane Base ....................................................................................6 Table 2: Sitka Economic Indicators 2010-2014 ...............................................................................8 Table 3: Seaplane Bases Within 100 Miles of Sitka ......................................................................10 Table 4: Sitka Seaplane Base Interviews Summary of 2020 Demand ...........................................13 Table 5: Low, Medium, and High Aircraft Activity Forecasts ......................................................18 Table 6: Comparison of Existing SPB Layout Alternatives ..........................................................37 Table 7: Sitka Seaplane Base Siting Study and Conceptual Design Draft Evaluation Criteria .........................................................................................................................45 Table 8: Explanatory Notes for Table 7 .........................................................................................46 Table 9: Cost ..................................................................................................................................48 APPENDICES Appendix A .................................................................................................... Cost Estimates (2012) Appendix B ........................................................................................................ Public Involvement Appendix C .....................................................................................CBS Seaplane Base Ordinances Appendix D ................................................ Request for Entry into the NPIAS-Sitka Seaplane Base Appendix E ................................................................................................. Economic Impact Study Page ii Updated Siting Analysis Sitka, Alaska Sitka Seaplane Base November 2016 LIST OF ACRONYMS A29 ....................................... Federal Aviation Administration Identifier for Sitka Seaplane Base AC ........................................................................................................................Advisory Circular ADEC ............................................... State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation ADOL ................................................................................... State of Alaska Department of Labor ADOT&PF ............................. State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities AIP .................................................................................................. Airport Improvement Program APDES ................................................................. Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System CBS ........................................................................................................ City and Borough of Sitka FAA ............................................................................................. Federal Aviation Administration GA ........................................................................................................................... general aviation NPIAS ........................................................................ National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems SEARHC................................................................ Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium SIT ........................ Federal Aviation Administration Identifier for Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport SOA ........................................................................................................................ State of Alaska SPB ............................................................................................................................. seaplane base SSS ................................................................................................................ Sitka Sound Seafoods TAF ............................................................................................................Terminal Area Forecast USEPA ................................................................ United States Environmental Protection Agency Page iii Updated Siting Analysis Sitka, Alaska Sitka Seaplane Base November 2016 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK Page iv Updated Siting Analysis Sitka, Alaska