March 11, 2005
RE: Allakaket Airport Improvements
Project No. 62595
Agency Scoping

Dear Staff Person:

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is soliciting comments and information on a proposal for improvements at the Allakaket Airport. ABR, Inc.—Environmental Research & Services is assisting ADOT&PF with the preparation of the environmental document.

Airport Background
Allakaket is located in western Alaska on the south bank of the Koyukuk River, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River (Figure 1). The village is about 190 air miles northwest of Fairbanks and is 57 miles upriver from Hughes. The village of Alatna is located directly across the river from Allakaket. The Allakaket Airport is a 4000-ft long by 100-ft wide gravel runway located about ¾ miles southwest of the village and is owned and operated by the State of Alaska. The airport is used as the major transportation and goods distribution center for both Allakaket and Alatna.

Purpose and Need

The current airport has experienced severe differential settlement. The runway is in need of repair and stabilization to prevent sideslope failures and erosion and correct drainage problems (Figure 2). Similar repairs are needed for the taxiway and apron. Thaw settlement has caused dips in the runway that are a safety concern and the lighting system is distressed and in need of repair. Dust during aircraft operations creates a health hazard and hastens surface erosion.

Proposed Action
The proposed action entails the repair and stabilization of the runway, and the taxiway and apron embankments. Existing dips in the runway surface will be removed and the entire runway surface will be regraded and resurfaced. A dust palliative will be added to reduce future erosion and improve air quality. The airport lighting system will be replaced. The project will be developed pursuant to the 2003 Memorandum of Agreement Regarding Impacts to Wetlands and Other Aquatic Resources, Mitigation and Airport Improvement Projects in Alaska. A wetland delineation was conducted in 2004 and the boundaries are shown in Figure 3.

Preliminary Research Results
At present ADOT&PF does not anticipate any significant environmental impacts or unusual circumstances associated with the proposed project (Appendix A). The links below contain preliminary research collected through a review of federal and state documents. To ensure that all factors are considered in the development of the environmental document, your comments are requested. In addition to identifying any concerns and/or issues your agency might have with the proposed project, the following links identify agency-specific information that is requested:

Project Schedule

Written comments may be submitted via e-mail to Cynthia M. Little, ADOT&PF, at cindie_little@dot.state.ak.us or Betty Anderson, ABR, at banderson@abrinc.com. All comments are requested by April 11, 2005.

If you need additional information, please contact Cindie at 907-451-5289, or Betty at 907-455-6777.

Sincerely,

Cindie Little, P.E., Project Manager
Northern Region ADOT&PF Design

Chuck Howe, Environmental Coordinator
Northern Region ADOT&PF Design

Links: Agency Links
Figure 1 – Location and Vicinity Map
Figure 2 – Project Layout
Figure 3 – Wetland Function and Values
Appendix A

Printable version of Allakaket scoping letter.

"Providing for the movement of people and goods and the delivery of state services"