NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING & NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND SECTION 4(F) DEMINIMIS FINDING - University Lake Drive

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is soliciting comments on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed project to improve University Lake Drive. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve circulation in and around the APU campus and provide access to APU Endowment lands. An added benefit of the project is to provide a secondary access route to the APU campus in the event of an emergency.The proposed project would extend University Lake Drive from the newly constructed arena roundabout at Elmore Road north to University Drive. Improvements consist of a two-lane road on new alignment. The proposed roadway consists of two 11-foot-wide travel lanes with 1-foot-wide shoulders, 2-foot curb and gutter, and a 5-foot sidewalk on one side of the road. Support objectives include addressing drainage considerations, utilities, and lighting needs. Mitigation measures include construction of a 6-foot-tall fence along the boundary of University

Lake Park, relocation of impacted Alaska Pacific University (APU) Ski Trails, and construction of a pedestrian overpass at the crossing of the new roadway and the APU Ski Trail system. DOT&PF also requests public input on the proposed Section 4(f) de minimis impact finding. The project would impact University Lake Park, protected by Section 4(f) of the DOT Act of 1966. The project would require a permanent easement consisting of approximately 3,293 square feet (0.08 acre) within University Lake Park in order to construct a 24-inch underground drainage culvert and riprap outlet.  The underlying land ownership would remain with the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA); however, the MOA Street Department would acquire permanent access for maintenance of the drainage facilities.In consultation with the officials with jurisdiction over these resources, DOT&PF has assessed the proposal’s impacts to University Lake Park, and proposes a finding of de minimis impact (a determination that the project will not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities that qualify the property for protection).  A copy of the draft de minimis finding is published in an appendix to the EA.The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this proposed 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.The Draft EA can be viewed online at:dot.alaska.gov/creg/PDE/projects/59764_University_Lake_Drive/EAPubRev.pdfHard copies of the Draft EA are available for public review at the Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS) at the University of Alaska Anchorage library building, and DOT&PF Central Region Anchorage office.A Public Hearing to address public comments on the Draft EA will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at the Municipality of Anchorage Permit Room from 5 pm to 7 pm.Written comments can also be sent via email to brian.elliott@alaska.gov, or to the address below by March 12, 2018.Brian Elliott, DOT&PF Regional Environmental Manager
Preliminary Design and Environmental
PO BOX 196900
Anchorage, AK 99519If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Dean Karcz, Project Manager, at 561-6237, or Ryan Riddle, Environmental Team Leader, at 269-0545.Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.It is the policy of the DOT&PF that no person shall be excluded from participation, 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, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration and State of Alaska funds.The DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with a hearing impairment can contact DOT&PF at our Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (907) 269-0473.