Noatak Haul Road by DOT&PF Northern Region August 14 th , 2018
Noatak Haul Roadby DOT&PF
Northern RegionAugust 14th, 2018
Noatak Airport Relocation Update
Project website http://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/noatak/ Project
Construct a new 4000' x 75' runway, apron, taxiway, and aviation support areas.Construct
Construct a new Snow Removal Equipment Building (SREB).ConstructConstruct an airport access road from the Village of Noatak to the proposed airport location.ConstructInstall a single-span bridge over the Kuchoruk Creek at the new airport access road crossing.Install
Develop a material site and necessary access routes during airport construction.Develop
Acquire necessary Right-of-Way for the new airport and access road.Acquire
Noatak Airport Relocation Update
• Items still requiring work for the draft EA are contractor access for construction and fuel delivery impacts associated with the airport relocation.
• DOT&PF plans to submit a request for funding from the $1B in Ombinus funds that Congress authorized. If approved, we would advertise a project in summer 2020 with construction starting in 2021.
Project Study Area Red Dog Road Boundary
Watershed Boundary
Watershed Boundary
Noatak River Boundary
Various Proposed Alignments
Video (Noatak3)
Various Alignments
Example Project Purpose
#1: The community of Noatak seeks to benefit future generations by making current decisions that focus on sustainable planning, development and practices. The construction of an all-season road that connects Noatak to the Delong Mountain Road near the Red Dog Mine "Pit 6" is aligned with the community's larger focus on sustainability. PARK ACCESS IS A BENEFIT
#2: The community of Noatak intends to mitigate rising energy costs and a high cost of living by conducting long-range planning that is centered on sustainable practices. The construction of an all-season road that connects Noatak to the Delong Mountain Road near the Red Dog Mine "Pit 6" is aligned with this vision and would ultimately help ensure Noatak's sustainability for future generations.
Example Project Need
Noatak has expensive fuel costs that prohibit them from spending money on other critical community needs, including food, sanitation, heat, etc. Provide Noatak a way to transport hazardous waste, recyclables, etc. out of the community to the Red Dog Port.
High fuel costs directly impact the cost of heating oil, gasoline for subsistence hunting, and diesel for electricity
The Napaaqtugmiut School is a large user of fuel and has a stake in the development of a Haul Road.Economic Development for exports
Noatak has one of the highest costs of living in the State due to high costs of transporting fuel and goods due to low water levels in the Noatak River
Noatak lacks access to a secondary emergency airport at Red Dog MineProvide safe travel for hunting and subsistence food gathering. Provide Red Dog Mine an alternate emergency runway, especially in fog conditions.
Termini
Video (Noatak4)
Noatak’s Routing
Video (Noatak5)
Alternative Routing
Planning and Environmenal Linkages (PEL)
NEPA PROCESS P.E.L
Benefits of a
P.E.L for the Noatak Haul
Road
Common sense in NOT DUPLICATING
WORK
Early and continuous coordination with
agencies
Better decisions result in:
Environmental stewardship
Financial stewardship
Ultimately save time, money and effort
Relationship-building with TEAM
A PEL for Noatak could potentially shave years off of the NEPA process
through collaborative
agency coordination and
a strategic preconstruction
approach.
Complete any further needed conceptual design/feasibility, purpose and need, and logical project termini. Community engagement with process.
Planning
Undergo fieldwork required for a completed Environmental Document.Fieldwork
Narrow down project alternatives for FHWA review. Preferred Alternative
Evaluate Indirect and Cumulative Impacts as will be needed during the NEPA process. Impacts
The PEL doubles as an Environmental Review document which will lead to a more efficient NEPA process.
Environmental Review
NEXT STEPS/TIMELINE
September 2018
Planning and Environmental Linkages Study (PEL), consistent with FHWA PEL guidance, to narrow down existing alternatives.
Fall 2018
STIP Project Nomination
?
Class of Action/NEPA/Preliminary Design/Final Design
?
Mobilization and Construction
Teaming in Construction for Time and Cost Savings
Noatak PELCore Team
FHWA/FAATeam
Local Stakeholder
Team
DOT&PF Planning Team
Federal AgenciesTeam
DOT&PF Environmental
Team
State AgenciesTeam
DOT&PF Engineering
Team
NEEDED: Strong team participation throughout
project.
• Native Village of Noatak
• Teck
Planning and Environmental Linkages StudyPURPOSE
The purpose of this PEL is to document the environmental and economic feasibility of connecting the Village of Noatak to the Delong Mountain Road.
NEED
• To ensure the safe movement of fuel, goods, people, and services along the potential Noatak Haul Road
• To investigate and minimize the environmental impacts of the Noatak Haul Road
• To investigate the benefits, costs, and economic impacts of developing the Noatak Haul Road to the DMTS Road
Noatak Overall Transportation Projects
Noatak Airport Relocation
Noatak Cemetery Road
Noatak Haul Road to Port Site
Noatak New Landfill
Noatak New Powerplant
Noatak Relocated Tank Farm at Port Site and Noatak
Kuchoruk River Bridge Repair
Airport SREB and Terminal
Noatak TransitAlternative Wind Energy AccessRoad from Kivalina to Haul Road to connect Kivalina and Noatak
Noatak Projects for PEL Screening
Noatak Haul Road to Port Site
Noatak Cemetery Road
Noatak New Landfill
Noatak New Powerplant
Noatak Relocated Tank FarmNoatak Airport Relocation
Next Steps
CommunityDo the project purpose and need statements align with the purpose and need of the community?Comments and considerations on the information?
DOT&PFComplete the PEL by end of 2018.Secure funding for NEPA processes.