CITY & BOROUGH OF SITKA DRAFT Environmental Assessment 2021 JANUARY PREPARED FOR: ON BEHALF OF THE SPONSOR: PREPARED BY: U.S. Department of Transportation City and Borough of Sitka DOWL Federal Aviation Administration 100 Lincoln Street 4041 B Street Alaskan Region, Airports Division Sitka, AK 99835 Anchorage AK 99508 222 West 7th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99513 This page is intentionally left blank. Table of Contents Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................. i Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... I 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Purpose & Need ..................................................................................................................... 4 3.0 Proposed Action ..................................................................................................................... 5 3.1. Identification of Federal Action ....................................................................................................................5 3.2. Public Scoping for the Proposed Federal Action .......................................................................................5 3.3. Proposed Action Alternative ........................................................................................................................5 3.3.1. Facility Design and Elements ................................................................................................................ 9 3.3.2. Construction.......................................................................................................................................... 10 3.3.2. Permits and Approvals Required .......................................................................................................... 12 3.4. Alternatives Dismissed from Further Consideration ................................................................................ 12 3.5. No Action: No-Build Alternative ................................................................................................................. 12 3.5.1. Permits and Approvals Required .......................................................................................................... 15 3.6. Alternatives Summary ................................................................................................................................ 15 4.0 General Setting .................................................................................................................... 19 5.0 Impact Comparison of Alternatives ............................................................................................. 20 5.1. Non-Applicable Categories ....................................................................................................................... 20 5.1.1. Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................. 20 5.1.2. Climate .................................................................................................................................................. 20 5.1.3. Coastal Resources ............................................................................................................................... 20 5.1.4. Farmland ................................................................................................................................................21 5.1.5. Wild and Scenic Rivers .........................................................................................................................21 5.1.6. Groundwater ..........................................................................................................................................21 5.2. Biological Resources (Fish and Wildlife) .................................................................................................. 21 5.2.1. Affected Environment ............................................................................................................................21 5.2.1.1. Habitat ...................................................................................................................................... 21 5.2.1.2. Fish and Essential Fish Habitat ............................................................................................. 22 5.2.1.3. Protected Marine Species ...................................................................................................... 26 5.2.1.4. Migratory Birds and Eagles .....................................................................................................27 5.2.1.5. Invasive Species ..................................................................................................................... 29 5.2.2. Environmental Consequences of Alternatives .................................................................................... 29 5.2.2.1. Essential Fish Habitat ............................................................................................................. 29 5.2.2.2. Protected Marine Species ....................................................................................................... 31 5.2.2.3. Migratory Birds and Eagles .................................................................................................... 33 5.2.2.4. Invasive Species ..................................................................................................................... 33 5.2.3. Minimization and Mitigation.................................................................................................................. 33 5.2.3.1. Essential Fish Habitat ............................................................................................................. 33 i Draft Environmental Assessment // New Sitka Seaplane Base 5.2.3.2. Endangered Species and Critical Habitat and Marine Mammals ......................................... 34 5.2.3.3. Invasive Species ..................................................................................................................... 34 5.2.4. Consultations, Permits, and Other Approvals ..................................................................................... 35 5.3. Hazardous Materials, Solid Waste, and Pollution Prevention ................................................................ 35 5.3.1. Affected Environment ........................................................................................................................... 35 5.3.2. Environmental Consequences of the Alternatives .............................................................................. 35 5.3.3. Minimization and Mitigation.................................................................................................................. 35 5.3.4. Consultation, Permits, and Other Approvals ....................................................................................... 35 5.4. Historical, Architectural, Archaeological and Cultural Resources .......................................................... 38 5.4.1. Affected Environment ........................................................................................................................... 38 5.4.2. Environmental Consequences of the Alternatives ............................................................................... 41 5.4.3. Minimization and Mitigation...................................................................................................................41 5.4.4. Consultation, Permits, and Other Approvals ....................................................................................... 42 5.5. Land Use ................................................................................................................................................... 42 5.5.1. Affected Environment ........................................................................................................................... 42 5.5.2. Environmental Consequences of the Alternatives .............................................................................. 42 5.5.3. Minimization and Mitigation.................................................................................................................. 42 5.5.4. Consultation, Permits, and Other Approvals ....................................................................................... 42 5.6. Department of Transportation Act, Section 4(f)....................................................................................... 42 5.6.1. Affected Environment ........................................................................................................................... 42 5.6.2. Environmental Consequences of the Alternatives .............................................................................. 43 5.6.3. Minimization and Mitigation.................................................................................................................. 43 5.6.4. Consultation, Permits, and Other Approvals ....................................................................................... 43 5.7. Natural Resources and Energy Supply ................................................................................................... 43 5.7.1. Affected Environment