DOT&PF Notice to Begin Engineering & Environmental Studies: Haines Ferry Terminal Potable Water System Improvements

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is proposing to make improvements to the drinking water treatment system at the Haines Ferry Terminal to ensure compliance with Alaska DEC Surface Water Treatment regulations. The terminal is currently operating under a boil water notice as the result of a sanitary survey inspection conducted in September 2023 by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation that identified deficiencies in the drinking water system. FloodplainsThe proposed project will necessitate encroachments to the unmapped floodplain. The project does not involve a regulatory floodway. The project may encroach into the base 100 year floodplain. Proposed project activities are not anticipated to result in significant encroachments. Construction is projected to begin as early as fall 2026. There are no facility closures anticipated during construction. 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 an Expedited Categorical Exclusion (Exp CE). Possible affected resources include wetlands, waters of the U.S., eagles, endangered species, marine mammals, 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: Joseph Galgano, Environmental Impact Analyst DOT&PF Southcoast RegionP.O. Box 112506 Juneau, AK 99801-2506 Phone: (907) 465-4524Fax: (907) 465-4447 Email: joseph.galgano@alaska.gov Misty Butler, Project Manager DOT&PF Southcoast Region P.O. Box 112506Juneau, AK 99801-2506 Phone: (907) 465-54546 Email: misty.butler@alaska.gov To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide comments via email, fax, or mailing address by December 18, 2025. 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