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 dot.alaska.gov November 13, 2018 Project: Seward Highway Pavement Preservation, Milepost 36-48 Project No.: 0311036/CFHWY00380 Re: Request for scoping comments The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is soliciting agency comments and information on a proposed project, which would resurface the Seward Highway from milepost (MP) 36 to MP 48, near Moose Pass, Alaska. The proposed project is located within Sections 18, 7 T. 5N, R. 1W; Sections 2, 11, 12 T. 5N, R. 2W; Sections 5, 6, 7, 18, 13, 24, 25, 26, 35 T. 6N, R. 2W; Sections 29, 32 T. 7N, R. 1W on USGS Quad Map C-7, Seward Meridian; with the center point located at Latitude 60.61012ºN, Longitude 149.53528ºW, near Moose Pass, Alaska (Figure 1). Project Purpose and Need The purpose of the proposed project is to improve travel efficiency, enhance safety, and preserve and extend the service life of the Seward Highway. The Seward Highway is the primary land surface transportation connection between the Kenai Peninsula and the rest of the Alaska Highway system and provides a critical economic, cultural, and recreational link to Resurrection Bay and the Chugach National Forest. The roadway currently exhibits rutted pavement, drainage issues, narrow shoulders, and faded pavement markings. Proposed Action The proposed work would include the following: • Milling and resurfacing the roadway • Repairing structural sections of the road • Drainage Improvements • Replacement or repair of: o Guardrail and guardrail end treatments o Signs and striping • Resurface approaches/driveways • Vegetation clearing and grubbing • Utility adjustments/relocations • Geotechnical investigations “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.” 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 November 3, 2017 and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF. Existing Site Conditions or Facilities The current configuration of the Seward Highway, between MP 36-48, consists of a two-lane highway with intermittent passing lanes, truck climbing lanes, and the occasional slow vehicle turnout. This section of the Seward Highway is classified as a principal arterial roadway with a posted speed limit of 55 to 65 miles-per- hour. Presently, it is the primary surface transportation link between major central region cities such as Anchorage and Wasilla to the communities of the Kenai Peninsula. Land adjacent to the Seward Highway is primarily undeveloped, forested, and provides access to a number of trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities within the Chugach National Forest. Other land uses in the area include a bed and breakfast, remote privately owned cabins, and several acres of wetlands, floodplains, lakes, and forested mountainsides. Preliminary Environmental Research 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 proposed project vicinity (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 December 13, 2018. If you have any questions on the environmental effects, please contact Victoria Florey, Environmental Impact Analyst, at (907) 269-0530, or via email at [email protected]. Questions concerning the engineering aspects of the proposed project can be directed to Sean Holland, P.E., Project Manager, at (907) 269-0670. Sincerely, Brian Elliott Regional Environmental Manager Attachments: Figure 1: Location and Vicinity Map Figure 2: Satellite Imagery with Milepoint Layer Preliminary Environmental Research cc: Victoria Florey, Environmental Impact Analyst, PD&E Sean Holland P.E., Project Manager, Highway Design Breanna Mahoney, Environmental Team Leader, PD&E Figure 2. Satellite imagery of the project area (Google Earth 2018) Preliminary Environmental Research Air Quality A review of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s List of Non-attainment Areas for Criteria Pollutants on August 2, 2018, indicated the proposed project is not within an air quality non-attainment or maintenance area for National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Contaminated Sites, Spills, and Underground Storage Tanks A search of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Contaminated Sites mapper on August 2, 2018, did not show any active contaminated releases, spills, or leaking underground storage tanks within the project limits. Two clean up complete sites are located adjacent to the project area but outside the proposed work limits and areas where excavation would occur. As such, the likelihood of encountering contaminated sites is low. Estimated Ground Disturbance and Clearing Activities Total ground disturbance is estimated to be 20 acres. Ground disturbance would result from ditch grading, drainage improvements, pavement removal, embankment re-construction, and vegetative clearing to accommodate shoulder widening. Fish and Wildlife Fish A review 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 August 2, 2018, identified multiple anadromous water bodies located adjacent to or flowing underneath the project corridor via culverts (Table 1). These anadromous water bodies listed below are also considered essential fish habitat (EFH) by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Table 1 - Anadromous and Resident Fish Water Bodies in the Project Area Waterbody Anadromous Seward Anadromous Species and Planned Activities and Waters Catalog Highway Use Structures Affected (AWC) Number Milepost Coho Salmon (sr), Sockeye Existing DOT&PF culvert Tern Lake 244-30-10010- 37 Salmon (sr), Whitefish (p) conveys drainage underneath 2177-3020- roadway and into Tern Lake. 0090 DOT&PF would remove sediment accumulation in the existing pipe. Coho Salmon (r) Existing culvert underneath Jerome Lake 244-30-10010- 38-38.75 DOT&PF roadway conveys 2177-3030- water into Jerome Lake. 0010 DOT&PF would remove sediment accumulation in pipe. Unknown No proposed work. John’s Creek Not Currently 39.5 Catalogued Pink Salmon (p), Chum DOT&PF would perform culvert Quartz Creek 244-30-10010- 42.2 Salmon (sr), Coho Salmon maintenance including the 2177 (p), Chinook Salmon (p), following work: Sockeye Salmon (p), • Removal of accumulated Whitefish (p) debris within the stream bed and adjacent island • Grading within stream bed • Sediment removal within culverts Slate Creek Not Currently 42.75 Unknown No work within the existing Catalogued culvert will occur. DOT&PF would perform ditch linear grading within the highway’s ditch system up to the culvert location, but no work activities would occur within the culvert itself Colorado Not Currently 46 Unknown Select clearing activities beyond Creek Catalogued the creek’s Riparian Zone. No work below OHW. Fresno Creek Not Currently 48 Unknown Select clearing activities beyond Catalogued the creek’s Riparian Zone. No work below OHW. Note: The following are abbreviations for different life stages of anadromous species present along the project corridor: s=spawning, r=rearing, p=present The only anadromous waterbody in which work would occur in the project area is Quartz Creek which is conveyed via culvert underneath the roadway, provides habitat for Pink, Chum, Coho, Chinook, and Sockeye Salmon, as well as Whitefish. The proposed project would include work below Ordinary High Water (OHW) in Quartz Creek in order to remove accumulated debris and sediment in the culvert as well as grade the existing stream bed to allow for more efficient water conveyance. Furthermore, the proposed project would perform routine maintenance activities within several existing drainage culverts that are near anadromous waters, but don’t currently drain into anadromous waterways. Work would include cleaning out debris to allow for better drainage conveyance from one side of the roadway to the other along with cleaning out adjacent ditches. The majority of these culverts do not carry water annually, or function as fish passage culverts with an established OHW mark and thus additional impacts to fish habitat is not anticipated. Design and construction of all culverts in fish bearing waters will follow the Memorandum of Agreement between ADF&G and DOT&PF for the Design, Permitting and Construction of Culverts for Fish Passage. The proposed project is anticipated to result in an overall long term benefit to anadromous and resident fish, as providing maintenance by cleaning out culverts and reducing sedimentation buildup would improve fish passage for culverts which have been rated by ADF&G as likely inadequate for fish passage. DOT&PF will coordinate with and obtain appropriate authorization from ADF&G prior to work below OHW of any anadromous or resident fish streams. Permanent adverse impacts to fish or fish habitat are not anticipated as a result of the proposed