DOT&PF Notice to Begin Engineering & Environmental Studies: Ketchikan North Tongass Highway Resurface: Airport Ferry Terminal Parking to Ward Creek Bridge

Project # SFHWY00181 The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is proposing to resurface North Tongass Highway between the Ketchikan Airport’s ferry terminal and Ward Creek Bridge. The proposed project would: • Rehabilitate pavement between the airport ferry terminal and a location near the Revilla Road intersection • Reconstruct select section throughout corridor • Replace all guardrail along the project corridor • Minimal removal of brush and trees near Cannery Creek • Upgrade culverts by replacement or lining • Add new signage and striping Temporary pedestrian and traffic disruptions are anticipated during construction, including single lane traffic restrictions. Construction is projected to begin as early as summer 2024 and would occur in three stages. 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 April 13, 2023, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF. Development of this proposed project would follow a process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Based on project location and scope of work, the environmental document is anticipated to be a categorical exclusion (CE). Possible affected resources include wetlands, waters of the U.S., eagles, endangered species, marine mammals, essential fish habitat, and cultural or historic properties. The proposed project would comply with all applicable authorities including: • Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act • Clean Air Act • Clean Water Act • Endangered Species Act • EO-11988 (Floodplain Management) • EO-12898 (Environmental Justice) • Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Management Act • National Historic Preservation Act - Section 106 • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act DOT&PF is soliciting comments on the proposed project. Your comments would help us evaluate potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of this project, as well as impacts to historic and cultural resources. Please submit your written comments to: Christy Gentemann, Regional Environmental Manager (Design) DOT&PF Southcoast Region P.O. Box 112506 Juneau, AK 99801-2506 Phone: (907) 465-4524 Fax: (907) 465-4414 Email: christy.gentemann@alaska.gov To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide comments via email, fax, or mailing address by April 19, 2024. It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that no person shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source including Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and State of Alaska funds. DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you or someone you represent requires special accommodations in order to respond to this public notice, please call or email the project coordinator listed above, or call Alaska Relay at 711, or call (800) 770-8973 for TTY, (800) 770-8255 for voice, (800) 770-3919 for ASCII, (866) 355-6198 for STS. Ask the communications assistant to call the project coordinator listed above so arrangements can be made to assist you.