Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport

Environmental Impact Statement

Sitka, Alaska

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Alaska is a most special and pristine place. Not only is it a location, but Alaska is a state of mind. To many, Alaska represents the best last hope for the preservation of an environment unfettered by man. The Town of Sitka lies in southeast Alaska on Baranof Island on the outer waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage, accessible only by air and water. The area is best known for the quality, quantity, and variety of fish harvested from the waters of Sitka Sound. Most notable amongst these fish species are the pacific salmon and pacific herring. With only two means of transport to and from Sitka, aviation, by its speed and efficiency, plays a large role in fostering the health and welfare of the community.

Private and commercial airports in Alaska face unique operational, economic, and environmental challenges that, collectively, are in few if any locations. The Environmental Impact Statement for Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport was initiated to evaluate five projects, including improvements to Runway Safety Areas, extension of the parallel taxiway, relocation of the seaplane pullout, installation of an approach lighting system, and repair of the existing airport seawall. Each of these projects would result in significant adverse impacts both individually and cumulatively.

This project has been groundbreaking due to the severe lack of Runway Safety Areas and the corresponding detailed alternatives analysis to assess how best to enhance safety within the limits of FAA defined practicability.

Project Features

  • Evaluation of Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) within the alternatives analysis.
  • Formal Memorandum of Agreement and confidentiality agreement between the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the FAA.
  • Impacts to tribal and local subsistence resources.
  • Multiple federal cooperating agency agreements.
  • Extensive computer modeling for water quality impacts in consideration of tidal circulation and wave action.
  • Section 106 consultations for historic WWII and tribal cultural resources.
  • Geotechnical evaluations of potential off-airport construction grade materials.

Client:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Patricia Sullivan, Project Manager
(907) 271-5454