public involvement activities summary january 2008 a file notice with stb end of october 2007 •...

Port MacKenzie Rail Extension

Public Involvement Activities SummaryJanuary 2008 A-105


A-108Public Involvement Activities Summary

January 2008


Public Involvement Activities Summary January 2008

(This page intentionally left blank.)



January 2008






January 2008

1

September 18, 2007 www.portmacrail.com

Welcome!Port MacKenzie Rail Extension Project


Alaska Railroad Corporation Applicant

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Project sponsor

Surface Transportation Board Lead federal agency

HDR Alaska, Inc. Consultant

TNH-Hanson, LLC Consultant

STB Section of Environmental Analysis NEPA Compliance

To be determined 3rd Party NEPA Contractor

Project Participants



2


STB NEPA Process

Railroad– Files notice with STB– Files petition for the construction and operation of railroad

STB– Considers application based upon Railroad’s ability to operate/be

stable and market needs– Incorporates conditions from the SEA upon favorable finding

SEA – Conducts NEPA process independently of railroad*– Most likely utilizes 3rd party contractor

*Railroad has very limited role/input in process beyond providing information


What’s Happening Now

• Re-evaluating and refining most promising corridors

• Incorporating latest environmental and planning information



January 2008

3


Anticipated STB Schedule

• File notice with STB end of October 2007• Produce Alignment Alternatives Document

December 2007• Select 3rd Party NEPA contractor by end of 2007• File petition to operate and construct in early

spring 2008• Complete NEPA mid 2009


Next StepsOctober• Solicit input from public and regulatory agencies• Consider possible impacts and mitigation associated with

route alternativesNovember• Finalize route considerations• Refine possible mitigation based upon potential impactsDecember• Complete Route Alternatives Document and submit to

STB• Develop possible MOA’s/MOU’s as appropriate



4


ProposedCorridors


Constraints MappingSample topics considered:

– Water bodies, anadromous streams– Habitat– Cultural sites– Native allotments– Parks and refuges– Wetlands and wetland banks– Soils– Land use– Land value



January 2008

5


Thank You!Overview of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension Project








January 2008

PO RT M AC KE NZ I E

DI S T RI C T

PO I NT

M AC KE NZ I E

AG R I CU LT UR AL

ARE A

PARKSHWY.

GLENNHWY.

PORT MACKENZIE RD.

KNIK-G

OOSEBAY

RD.

HOLLYWOOD RD.

W. SUSITNA PKWY.

BU

RM

AR

D.

W. LAKES BLVD.

AYRSHIRE AVE.

K N I KA R M

Bi gLa k e

Re dSh ir tLa ke

Fl atHo rnLa ke

L it t

l eS u i s

tna

Ri v

er

Sui s

tna

Riv

e r

WILLOW FISHHOOK RD.

KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE THEBUTTE

ANCHORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

C H U G A C H S P

S U S I T N A F L A T S S G R

M A T A N U S K A V A L L E Y

M O O S E R A

N A N C Y L A K E

S R A

P A L M E R H A Y

F L A T S S G R

A L E X A N D E R

C R E E K

R E C R I V E R

G O O S E B A Y

S G R

LITTLE SUSITNA

REC RIVER

K R O T O & M O O S E

C R E E K R E C R

W I L L O WM O U N T A I N

C H AHATCHER PASS

PUBLIC USE AWILLOWCREEK

SRA

140

180

120

155

150

145

135

130

125

190

185

175

170165 160

R01ER01W R02ER02WR03WR04WR05WR06WR07WR08W

T15N

T16N

T17N

T18N

T19N

T20N

LAND OWNERSHIP

LEGEND

This map represents a conceptual level of utility, detail, and accuracy. Theinformation displayed here is for planning purposes only. Base information shownconstitutes data from various federal, state, public, and private souces. These mapsare for review purposes only and are not intended for use in securing permits, designor for construction purposes.

E 0 3 6 Miles

Date: August 29, 2007Projection: Alaska State Plane Zone 4, NAD 83

Author: HDR Alaska, Inc.Sources: ADNR, ARRC, HDR Alaska, Inc.,

MSB GIS, TNH- Hanson, USGS.

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\ow

ners

hip_

ua.m

xd

ARRC Milepost

ARRC Track

Highway

Major Rd.

Medium Rd.

Minor Rd.

Park or Refuge

Port MacKenzie District

Point MacKenzie Ag Area

General Land Ownership

Public University

Borough

Mental Health

Native Corporation

Private

State








January 2008

S U S I T N A

F L A T S S G R

L I T T L E

S U S I T N A

R E C R I V E R

29275

7222

52763

2843

68331658307332537219

67561573092266882601

24525

57624

52530 31616

32575

55911

61950352461711

7288121781

6055556816

72892

64871

66620

2801

34986

26370

200953200952

67192

39116

28142

57170

839280800

71510

200950

43807

13224196774969926640

200941

38837

29053

200949

79094

28356

201731

6463654546

61296

211222211220

211219

211218211217

12878

15526

7604

62471 38791

21121562946

81588

38975 53102

38475

21184

67828

18349

33490

50029 3795831745 12194

4453578244687336596748640

398718764

71776

3555

46194

46194

46194

211274 211273

62251

84052

74989

22534

16429

211272211271

211270

21126975939

86724

84555

3432

211268

211266

1275

39220

74415

74787

18931

R04WR05W

T16N

PUBLIC UNIVERSITY LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Miles

Date: September 24, 2007Projection: Alaska State Plane Zone 4, NAD 83



KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\un

iver

sity

land

s\ow

ners

hip_

ua_v

iew

3.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Parcel Boundary

Public University Lands

Preliminary Alternatives

Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

63162

3140536515

49546

19350

3487

87501

8310921699

40772

21421

59436

25973

26074

58393

5089516978

61712

58791

2513583823

38253

68516

81100

34398

64059

49628

41809

15038

43050

63631

426092990

1661273428 5265

17097

73419

61820

55832

23032

15425

52812

58819

21264 63818

65697

24049200985

33408

57531

17456

87136

45350

6397550662

64451

7612519705

72143

6355

20099542564

18874

25894

56983

79342

34191

35295

15711

61525

26493

80019

82409

1943024800

47434

66542

51055

59502

10465

57589

578908232

14123697064270

4160

1117139521

35006

647515298

60548

58370

3051

3117259869

839245097

72474

62907

40845

1611814793

201646201644

201643

32319

4675

14805

48624

64901

60016901478844

67462

31626

77364

63100

62609

23391

11737

45021

5322879357

20278

7163760223

35046

591528775

83785

7042

4109783127

9946

201642201641

201640

201639

201638

201637

20163618996

31275

8356872249

5946

12711

16324

63170

51383

7977879553

2373843968

56626

8158

78008

84224

67842

17652

48829

72414

18996

78953

31832

619867473

5613588446

61713

3203056630

2867

2992284315

76282

53510

38641

53167

39979

201634

61008

22318

50672

4442455084

201635

28708

20667

5498

6957110105

62865

56299

48321

83136

4771

67745

53438

5825146317

7482

28185

70982

88882

18869

84835 80761

18492

201660

65904

201659

60636

88783

4829

3300

413219628

10361

26699

86181

1699611530

50385

54173

18963

65305

68802

75699225474650571681

1536

3327

20503

712169016

35467

83593162066107

7375445704

5883

55477

34738

1783441115

1069

8383

30675

26699

44187

49820

9670

3214377822

201650

8669972708

20536

70248

17787

52667

4630975860

2208111810

78932

25057

55551

44928

2506926101

8701053870

61416

376516359

75966534905529 35336 46092

88455

707642461

83627

6906833005

11828

1875323517

7433

42137

88920

711594433272551

5175434264

408947860

5711059695

77777

3952635219

201666

201665

201664

201663

24930

3420084462

16197

46780

20431 3437 42687

39342

71109

62852

55636

25066

32352

2219349559

3132878780

6943659284

4587940780

45405

42192

40701

4280

37265

28260

8934

2074654770

368623083553993

51596

3599

80244

37265

75799

491261860

9292

5550812300

3139158522

3496535928

77127

65904

182883774

7103225348

86668

55272

360508382232946

201731

R02WR03W

T16N

T17N


LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Miles




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\un

iver

sity

land

s\ow

ners

hip_

ua_v

iew

2.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Parcel Boundary



Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

S U S I T N A

F L A T S S G R

200597

16911

394527456

549074777941488

28773 72674

5697042682

58634235863565952694

10021

9205

30618

856979132

24312

5933332549

3492066744

552392656713520

48019

8359626329

1119770936

61541

129016426

8433087053

825436552976483

66831

50042

20640

31969

73454

78475

84129

40486

87005

45917

4271578306

3777

16769

33787

56827

51033

33195

200610

1869047143

38289

38254 79627

81307

60682

43010

62982

59028

2838

24417

3954661178

31770

61068

8140

55473

41622

24111

9846

24776

200609200608

200607

200606

11253

12150

59798

76329

51277

2854

71623

1929850610

598262804350434

61783

68829

557324644

10669

8085

2937978864

35933

3193757902

2703632915

60145

53448

84142

53483

520328277

17484

67617

87119

6121 27606

84321

27568

17380

2357972213

86122

674564189

481874328

84344

57334

1207514496

6743435069

24004

17112

5248

78353

13242

67352

3536231615

58143

42871

35033

85147

85777

61221

200618

200617

200616

200615

1042

13821

7735223741

31988

63705

44855

16909

10538

80957

608971110862166

34222115135363214500

420313565853898

26178

53729

36242

247403159

85320

631253547073354

15725

4384756390

48707

35980 54316

8349110209

50906

7908972113

3217415902

6236048862

82388

19740

75043

5298 2030179667

6440851431

5686454230

7691200602

2531614504

200601

200600

20059815103

144440114

87962

55804

5545328530

1790

1431

286702943241599 32824

200623

34779

77386

18119

9837

33436

200620

200619

4621

15768

58705

21490

36053 8020523809

4513

58867

52594

38316

4164147874

52965 77191

830418301215255

55592

808848175

61063808381249

43184 82715

154864041

73346

4377164525858202956321063

8789477771

44470107098847161066

21510

40446

57802

6330837311

13161

R03WR04W

T13N

T14N


LEGEND


E 0 0.5 1 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\un

iver

sity

land

s\ow

ners

hip_

ua_v

iew

4.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Parcel Boundary



Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

PO RT M AC KE NZ I E

DI S T RI C T

PO I NT

M AC KE NZ I E

AG R I CU LT UR AL

ARE A

PARKSHWY.

GLENNHWY.

PORT MACKENZIE RD.

KNIK-G

OOSEBAY

RD.

HOLLYWOOD RD.

W. SUSITNA PKWY.

BU

RM

AR

D.

W. LAKES BLVD.

AYRSHIRE AVE.

K N I KA R M

Bi gLa k e

Re dSh ir tLa ke

Fl atHo rnLa ke

L it t

l eS u i s

tna

Ri v

er

Su i stn

aR

ive r

WILLOW FISHHOOK RD.

KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE THEBUTTE

ANCHORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

C H U G A C H S P



M O O S E R A

N A N C Y L A K E

S R A

P A L M E R H A Y

F L A T S S G R

A L E X A N D E R

C R E E K

R E C R I V E R

G O O S E B A Y

S G R

LITTLE SUSITNAREC RIVER


C R E E K R E C R


C H AHATCHER PASSPUBLIC USE AWILLOW

CREEKSRA

140

180

120

155

150

145

135

130

125

190

185

175

170165 160


T18N

T19N

T20N

LAND OWNERSHIP

LEGEND


E 0 3 6 Miles




Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\ow

ners

hip_

knik

atnu

.mxd

ARRC Milepost

ARRC Track

Highway

Major Rd.

Medium Rd.

Minor Rd.



Park or Refuge


Knikatnu, Inc.

Native Corporation (other)

Mental Health

Public University

Borough

Private

State








January 2008

PO R T M A CKE N Z IEDI ST R IC T

PO I NT

MA CK EN Z IE

AG R IC ULT UR AL

ARE A

PARKSHWY.

GLENNHWY.

PORT MACKENZIE RD.

KNIK-G

OOSEBAY RD.

HOLLYWOOD RD.

W. SUSITNA PKWY.

BU

RM

AR

D.

W. LAKES BLVD.

AYRSHIRE AVE.

K N I KA R M

B igLak e

RedShi r tLake

Fl a tHornLake

Lit t

l eSu i s

tna

Riv

e r

S u i stn

aR

i ve r

WILLOW FISHHOOK RD.

Del ynd i aLake

CowLoake H or s es ho e

Lak e

Papo oseTwi n Lake s

KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE THEBUTTE

ANCHORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

C H U G A C H S P


M A TA N U S K A V A L L E Y

M O O S E R A

N A N C Y L A K E

S R A

P A L M E R H A Y

F L A T S S G R

A L E X A N D E R

C R E E K

R E C R I V E R

G O O S E B A Y

S G R



C R E E K R E C R


C H AHATCHER PASSPUBLIC USE A

WILLOWCREEK

SRA

140

180

120

155

150

145

135

130

125

190

185

175

170165 160

East

West

Mac West

Mac East

Lake Creek

Conn 2

Conn 1

Conn 3

Houston

Central


T15N

T16N

T17N

T18N

T19N

T20N

LAND OWNERSHIP

LEGEND


E 0 2.5 5 Miles




Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\con

stra

ints

\ow

ners

hip_

knik

atnu

_alte

rnat

ives

.mxd


Knikatnu, Inc.

Native Corp. (other)

Mental Health

Public University

Borough

Private

State


Mac East

Mac West

East

West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Central

Lake Creek

Houston

ARRC Milepost

ARRC Track








January 2008

67068

L I T T L E S U S I T N A R E C R I V E R

N A N C Y L A K E S R A

R05WR06W

T17N

T18N

KNIKATNU INC. LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\kn

ikat

nula

nds\

owne

rshi

p_kn

ikat

nu_v

iew

1.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Knikatnu, Inc.

Parcel Boundary


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

2420

46229

13904

42640

80921

76766

25121

20084

87116

33532

4716

53635

40872

2885146563848204331

2564175235


R03WR04W

T17N

T18N

KNIKATNU INC. LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\kn

ikat

nula

nds\

owne

rshi

p_kn

ikat

nu_v

iew

2.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Knikatnu, Inc.

Parcel Boundary


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

22941

17535

27350

85937

45081 68270

31675

G O O S E B A Y S G R

R03WR04W

T15N

T16N

KNIKATNU INC. LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\kn

ikat

nula

nds\

owne

rshi

p_kn

ikat

nu_v

iew

3.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Knikatnu, Inc.

Parcel Boundary


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

PO RT M AC KE N Z I EDI S T RI CT

PO IN T

M AC KE N Z IE

AG R I CU LT UR A L

AR EA

PARKSHWY.

GLENNHWY.

PORT MACKENZIE RD.

KNIK-G

OOSEBAY

RD.

HOLLYWOOD RD.

W. SUSITNA PKWY.B

UR

MA

RD

.

W. LAKES BLVD.

AYRSHIRE AVE.

K N I KA R M

B igLa ke

RedShi r tLak e

Fl a tHor nLak e

Lit t

l eSu i s

tna

Riv

e r

S u i stn

aR

ive r

WILLOW FISHHOOK RD.

Del y nd i aLak e

CowLoa ke H or s e sh oe

La ke

Pap oo seTw i n L ake s

KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE THEBUTTE

ANCHORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

C H U G A C H S P



M O O S E R A

N A N C Y L A K E

S R A

P A L M E R H A Y

F L A T S S G R

A L E X A N D E R

C R E E K

R E C R I V E R

G O O S E B A Y

S G R



C R E E K R E C R



WILLOWCREEK

SRA

140

180

120

155

150

145

135

130

125

190

185

175

170165 160

Willow

Big Lake

Mac West

Houston

Mac East

Conn 3

Conn 2

Houston North

Conn 1

Houston South

MENTAL HEALTH LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 3 6 Miles

Date: October 2, 2007Projection: Alaska State Plane Zone 4, NAD 83


Mental Health Land Trust Office,MSB GIS, TNH- Hanson, USGS.

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

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lEnv

ironm

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lSer

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s\G

IS\m

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ndar

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nds\

men

tal_

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es.m

xd

Mental Health Estates

Land and Mineral Estate

Mineral Estate

Land Estate

ARRC Milepost

ARRC Track

Highway

Medium Rd.

Minor Rd.

Iditarod Trail

City Boundary

Proposed Prison

Point MacKenzieCorrectional Farm

Park or Refuge








January 2008

S U S I T N A

F L A T S S G R

200597

16911

394527456

549074777941488

28773 72674

5697042682

58634235863565952694

10021

9205

30618

856979132

24312

5933332549

3492066744

552392656713520

48019

8359626329

1119770936

61541

129016426

8433087053

825436552976483

66831

50042

20640

31969

73454

78475

84129

40486

87005

45917

4271578306

3777

16769

33787

56827

51033

33195

200610

1869047143

38289

38254 79627

81307

60682

43010

62982

59028

2838

24417

3954661178

31770

61068

8140

55473

41622

24111

9846

24776

200609200608

200607

200606

11253

12150

59798

76329

51277

2854

71623

1929850610

598262804350434

61783

68829

557324644

10669

8085

2937978864

35933

3193757902

2703632915

60145

53448

84142

53483

520328277

17484

67617

87119

6121 27606

84321

27568

17380

2357972213

86122

674564189

481874328

84344

57334

1207514496

6743435069

24004

17112

5248

78353

13242

67352

3536231615

58143

42871

35033

85147

85777

61221

200618

200617

200616

200615

1042

13821

7735223741

31988

63705

44855

16909

10538

80957

608971110862166

34222115135363214500

420313565853898

26178

53729

36242

247403159

85320

631253547073354

15725

4384756390

48707

35980 54316

8349110209

50906

7908972113

3217415902

6236048862

82388

19740

75043

5298 2030179667

6440851431

5686454230

7691200602

2531614504

200601

200600

20059815103

144440114

87962

55804

5545328530

1790

1431

286702943241599 32824

200623

34779

77386

18119

9837

33436

200620

200619

4621

15768

58705

21490

36053 8020523809

4513

58867

52594

38316

4164147874

52965 77191

830418301215255

55592

808848175

61063808381249

43184 82715

154864041

73346

4377164525858202956321063

8789477771

44470107098847161066

21510

40446

57802

6330837311

13161

R03WR04W

T13N

T14N

MENTAL HEALTH LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.5 1 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

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mxd

\bou

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y\m

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lhea

lthla

nds\

owne

rshi

p_m

enta

lhea

lth_v

iew

1.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Parcel Boundary

Mental Health


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

4278464727

3665638115

31215

266535540

546442871

39212

630537187 8013

3751

49460

87410

2089837599

2289225977875612143

37963

78730

3803

14657

48388

14639

1263367945

27326

17012

22720

76433

87445

5835

4861

1470054759

46453

200626

7566046238

95923432745767

62999676902497822729

59361 78626739555844

254406540961740

7445240571

6909411991

67060

49907

6301

24318

8539332504

6787826818

54823

56934

1675630010

562323171

70134

1946357926

719752350360026027

54064

4057

44536

65505

40829

772378979

3703586091

6783814266

5336

30943

47069

51385

77692

85819

87948

8903

81392

266750032

5874351443

6957325636

52250

74722

76449

200632

14440

15128

66829

6740323185

61775

1668736738

25831 170368108531647

276888529

744468665478525

4752562715

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7633372614

76618200904

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33901 6174185641 1642587919

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247921659

8128263865

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31917

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71843

56083

78418

3140536515

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84547

17905

49546

19350

3487

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8310921699

40772

21421

59436

25973

26074

58393

5089516978

61712

58791

25135

83823

38253

68516

81100

480389928

39270

34398

71277

6765135523

65530

26985

42517

8847544329

58894

46374

14627

18789

80327

3847180805

4935

86865

200990

200989

473359155

5869621842

10791

577971377

43921

6646975705

38162

191354116

474743743843122

64059

49628

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774764574

7892518877

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21264 63818

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24049200985

200974

200973

200972

200971 200970

200969

200967

200966

200965200964

200963

33408

57531

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15233

24584

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17456

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4611317550

50581

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954535600

1295957721

11427

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5738383838

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49613

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63975 50662

466374319

17679

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76125

19705

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86908

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29853

82203

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5742536558

6899454251

109016193511886

18480

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6355

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1423722328

826425748

8406525403 87881

85180 6652035542021041250

12028

200995

200994

200992

200991

201038

42564

18874

25894

16495

62632

37888

82288

4741215899

84862

57798

79342

34191

1922753290

15711 2322761525

38238 82426

76876

854089066

620880868

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22431

1719436913

71423

77271

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7397 28261

8698810465

57589 72474

62907

201643

3231948624

6490145021

83785

7042 9946

8356872249

5946

16324

63170

7977879553

23738

43968 56626

815878008

48829

72414617132867

53510

3864161008 56299

48321

83136

4771

18869

84835 80761

18492

201659

201658

26699

86181

50385

17682

18963

65305

201651

4385066319

3546782131

83593

1332380127

3631075312

1783441115

1069

30675

26699

44187

49820

9670

77822

201650

158875379

53747

13300

2319571502

753208711

3600047415

21491

2053656099

70248

52667

81725247429292

5097153977

3877053864

280416708

36070

1015878062

83424

18092

4420934537

3171288814

25057

25069

8701042137

8892051754

34264

408947860

57110

5969577777

3952635219

201663

7878042804563

51596

359980244

75799

49126 929255508

1230031391

25952 65904

4853032946

73929

83522

14792

78109

71539

201731

R02WR03W

T16N

T17N

MENTAL HEALTH LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\m

enta

lhea

lthla

nds\

owne

rshi

p_m

enta

lhea

lth_v

iew

2.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Parcel Boundary

Mental Health Lands


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

N A N C Y

L A K E S R A

L I T T L E

S U S I T N A

R E C R I V E R

4217479349

14912

66142

82863

3524

60643

37566

8054760311

34538

2273039965

18758

52647

23086

39259

66911

3458075013

62717

5058843923

8044415248

61654

16678

24677

6368

545531060051665

149883396673945

88981

2595

76225

19181

57673

72356

72761

40923

60978

33656

51026

45542

54683

R03WR04WR05W

T16N

T17N

T18N

MENTAL HEALTH LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.5 1 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

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mxd

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y\m

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rshi

p_m

enta

lhea

lth_v

iew

3.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Parcel Boundary

Mental Health


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

W I L L O W

C R E E K S R A

39416

36839

36839

23725 44656

2695

44656

44656

R04WR05W

MENTAL HEALTH LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

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tMac

Ken

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lSer

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lhea

lth_v

iew

4.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

Parcel Boundary

Mental Health


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

G O O S E

B A Y S G R

6852

3970231050

52359

67674

6852

R04WR05W

T15N

T16N

CIRI, INC. LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

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IRIl

ands

\ow

ners

hip_

ciri_

view

1.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

CIRI, Inc.

Parcel Boundary


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

L I T T L E

S U S I T N A R E C

R I V E R

49763

24810

24571

4673955219

70505

R04WR05W

T16N

T17N

CIRI, INC. LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

ocs\

mxd

\bou

ndar

y\C

IRIl

ands

\ow

ners

hip_

ciri_

view

2.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

CIRI, Inc.

Parcel Boundary


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

L I T T L E

S U S I T N A

R E C R I V E R

8874

175

170

R02WR03W

T17N

T18N

CIRI, INC. LANDS

LEGEND


E 0 0.25 0.5 Mile




KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

BIG LAKE

ANCH ORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

Z:\0

9585

AR

RC

\678

79P

tMac

Ken

zie

Rai

lEnv

ironm

enta

lSer

vice

s\G

IS\m

ap_d

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\bou

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ands

\ow

ners

hip_

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view

3.m

xd

ARRC Track



Park or Refuge

CIRI, Inc.

Parcel Boundary


Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

AREAENLARGED








January 2008

Oct.18,2007

(The following are questions submitted by the Willow Dog Mushers Association.)

1) When the Mat-Su Borough noticed that the 2003 T-N-H report chose Willow as the preferred alternative andthey didn't conduct a public meeting in the community of Willow, why didn't the Borough insist T-N-H go back andconduct a public meeting?

A: The failure to have a meeting in Willow for the 2003 TNH study was an oversight. The Borough has apologized for it. Please consider that the meetings four years ago did not travel. The budget was smaller. All three were held at the same location: Houston. Additionally, Willow is no longer the preferred route. Three routes are under consideration. During this fact-finding process we have met with Willow residents five times in less than a year, ensuring that the oversight does not happen again.

2) What other alternatives were developed and why were they eliminated?

A: Many alternatives from previous studies were reviewed, including several new ones. Multiple layers of physical and environmental constraints were then overlaid upon the proposed alignments. Some examples of these constraints include wetlands, soil conditions, and land use. The remaining alignment corridors represent those areas that show the least constraints.

3) There are obvious, unavoidable human and environmental impacts with the Willow Corridor, therefore how isthe railroad planning to offset and/or mitigate those impacts?

A: There are unavoidable human and environmental impacts on any route we choose. The Railroad will continue to work with the Surface Transportation Board and the regulatory agencies to identify potential impacts and develop mitigation measures where appropriate. The mitigation requirements will be laid out as the project seeks permits from the federal STB. The project team has held five open houses and smaller meetings to help lessen the impacts as much as possible. Much of the public comment is helping refine the proposed corridors.

4) If the Willow Comprehensive Plan meets all the Mat-Su Borough's planning requirements, but doesn't supportthe Willow Railroad Corridor will the Borough accept Willow's plan?

A: The Willow Comprehensive Plan may make community-based recommendations. However, the plan should also be consistent with Borough-wide planning documents, goals, objectives and policies. If the Willow Comp. Plan does not support a particular corridor, the Borough may accept the plan, but not all of its recommendations, particularly those that conflict with Borough-wide planning documents, goals, objectives and policies.

-more-



5) What exact economic benefits will the railroad bring to Willow?

A: Willow has not been selected at this stage of the process. The Willow route is one of three proposed corridors. At this time we do not know the “exact” benefits the Railroad would bring to Willow. Some of the benefits may include commercial opportunities due to the multimodal characteristics of the area, for example, airport, rail, highway. A rail station may be built providing for passenger and tourism opportunities. Moreover, we do not know what the future might bring in terms of other opportunities, such as jobs that could come with a possible rail maintenance facility.

6) Will the railroad honor our 10+ trail crossings?

A: The Railroad is working with the administrative agencies (the Mat-Su Borough and the State Dept. of Natural Resources) to ensure that the connectivity of existing legally dedicated trails remains intact. The Borough is also tracking trails where easements are being worked on. Tonight we bring a map of trails. We want you to review them and give us your comments. Please send in your comments by Nov. 2.

7) It has been argued that there are no direct benefits to Willow in this rail extension project. Would boththe Borough and the Railroad be agreeable to dedicating 10' cleared leveled "trail" on each side of thecorridor along with access underpasses spaced at reasonable intervals? One of those trails would bededicated to motorized recreational use while the other side would be dedicated to non-motorizedrecreational use and each should be buffered from the rails by growth of natural vegetation or otherbarrier. It would open up large new areas for recreational use and, most likely, result in new cottagebusinesses starting up to service those folks.

A: In the process of identifying impacts there may be a wide range of mitigation, including trails.

Thank you for your questions.

For more information visit the project site at www.portmacrail.com

-end-



January 2008

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January 2008

- - - - - - - 2 . FOLD HERE, TAPE OPEN EDGES CLOSED (DO NOT STAPLE), AND AFFIX POSTAGE BEFORE MAILING - - - - - - -

------- 1. FOLD HERE -------

___________________________________________________________________________FIRST-CLASS

POSTAGE

REQUIRED

HDR Alaska, Inc.

Attn: Rosetta Alcantra

2525 C Street, Suite 305

Anchorage, AK 99503-2632

Comments for this phase must be received by FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 2007

www.portmacrail.com

R A I L E X T E N S I O NPORT MACKENZIEPORT MACKENZIE

CO

MM

ENT

FO

RM

Name Phone

Address

Your Comments:

Email

Your input is important to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Alaska Railroad as we jointly pursue

the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension project. Please write your comments legibly (printing is appreciated).

DURING THIS RESEARCH PHASE of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension project, we are

asking for your help to identify concerns related to trails. The map shows trails with dedicated

easements and also trails that the State or Borough may plan to acquire easements for in the

project area. Please use the map to identify your concerns and write comments (there is also

space for your comments on the Comment Form). When you’re done, follow the folding and

sealing instructions, affix a stamp, and mail your comments to us so they are received by Friday, November 2, 2007.

Thank you for participating.








January 2008

www.portmacrail.com

Welcome!Port MacKenzie Rail Extension Project

City of HoustonThursday, October 25, 2007

www.portmacrail.com

Alaska Railroad Corporation Applicant

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Project sponsor

Surface Transportation Board Lead federal agency

HDR Alaska, Inc. Consultant

TNH-Hanson, LLC Consultant

STB Section of Environmental Analysis NEPA Compliance

To be determined 3rd Party NEPA Contractor

Project Participants



www.portmacrail.com

STB Process

Railroad• Files notice with STB• Files petition for the construction and operation of railroad

STB• Considers application based upon Railroad’s ability to operate/be

stable and market needs• Incorporates conditions from the SEA upon favorable finding

SEA • Conducts NEPA process independently of railroad*• Most likely utilizes 3rd party contractor

*Railroad has very limited role/input in process beyond providing information

www.portmacrail.com

What’s Happening Now and Why

• 2003 Study was a reconnaissance study• Re-evaluating and refining most promising

corridors• Incorporating latest environmental and

planning information



January 2008

www.portmacrail.com

Constraints MappingTopics considered:

• Water bodies• Anadromous streams• Habitat• Cultural sites• Native allotments• Parks and refuges• Wetlands and wetland banks• Limiting soils• Land use• Land value• Land availability• Agricultural lands• Trails

www.portmacrail.com

Corridor development process



www.portmacrail.com

Working with the Public

• Hosting series of public open house meetings• Web site – informative and interactive• Newsletter (forthcoming)• Requesting public comment and using the comments to help

determine corridors• Meeting with small stakeholder groups• Identification of mitigation ideas early in the process – Do you have

solutions –We want to hear them• Developing a comprehensive list of criteria to be considered and

evaluated in the corridor development• Conducting a more detailed study of the proposed corridors

Your comments will help us find the best corridor.

www.portmacrail.com

Trails

Trails are an important consideration, especially as they relate to the quality of life concerns and recreational opportunities in the area.



January 2008

www.portmacrail.com

Corridors Under Consideration

Note: These lines represent possible corridors and are subject to change.

www.portmacrail.com

Anticipated Project Schedule

October 2007• Solicit input from public and regulatory agencies• Consider possible impacts and mitigation associated with route alternatives• File notice with STB end of October

November 2007• Finalize route considerations• Refine possible mitigation based upon potential impacts• November 2 – Comment deadline

December 2007• Complete Route Alternatives document and submit to STB• Develop possible MOA’s/MOU’s as appropriate• Anticipate the STB to select 3rd Party NEPA contractor by end of 2007

2008 - 2009• File petition in early spring 2008• Anticipate the STB 3rd Party Contractor to complete environmental document by mid-2009



www.portmacrail.com

Thank You for coming!Please ask questions!

Comment deadline is November 2nd



January 2008

Opportunity to Comment &INFORMATIONAL MEETING

To learn more about a joint effort to plan, engineer, design, and construct a rail connection between Port MacKenzie and the existing railroad system, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) and the Alaska Railroad (ARRC) will be available to answer questions and provide information at the Houston City Council meeting on October 25, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. For additional project information, visit www.portmacrail.com

Contacts: MSB Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan, 745-9577 ARRC Public Involvement Officer Stephenie Wheeler, 265-2671








January 2008

PO R T M A CKE N Z IEDI ST R IC T

PO I NT

MA CK EN Z IE

AG R IC ULT UR AL

ARE A

PARKSHWY.

GLENNHWY.

PORT MACKENZIE RD.

KNIK-GOOSE BAY RD.

HOLLYWOOD RD.

W. SUSITNA PKWY.

BURM

ARD

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W. LAKES BLVD.

AYRSHIRE AVE.

K N I KA R M

B igLak e

RedShi r tLake

Fl a tHornLake

Lit t

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S G R



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140

180

120

155

150

145

135

130

125

190

185

175

170165 160

East

West

Mac West

Mac East

Lake Creek

Conn 2

Conn 1

Conn 3

Houston

Central


T15N

T16N

T17N

T18N

T19N

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LAND OWNERSHIP

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E 0 2.5 5 Miles




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January 2008

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January 2008

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January 2008

PO RT M AC KE N Z I EDI S T RI CT

PO IN T

M AC KE N Z IE

AG R I CU LT UR A L

AR EA

PARKSHWY.

PORT MACKENZIE RD.

KNIK-G

OOSE BAY RD.

HOLLYWOOD RD.

W. SUSITNA PKWY.BU

RM

AR

D.

W. LAKES BLVD.

AYRSHIRE AVE.

K N I KA R M

B igLa ke

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Lit t

l eSu s i tn

aR

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aR

ive r

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La ke

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KNIK

WILLOW

PALMER

WASILLA

HOUSTON

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ANCHORAGE

EAGLE RIVER

C H U G A C H S P



M O O S E R A

N A N C Y L A K E

S R A

P A L M E R H A Y

F L A T S S G R

A L E X A N D E R

C R E E K

R E C R I V E R

G O O S E B A Y

S G R



C R E E K R E C R



WILLOWCREEK

SRA

140

180

120

155

150

145

135

130

125

190

185

175

170165 160

PROBABLEARCHEOLOGICAL AREAS

LEGEND


E 0 3 6 Miles

Date: November 13, 2007Projection: Alaska State Plane Zone 4, NAD 83



Preliminary Alternatives*

Mac East

Mac West

Conn 1

Conn 2

Conn 3

Houston

Houston North

Houston South

Willow

Big Lake

ARRC Track

ARRC Milepost

Highway

Medium Rd.

Minor Rd.

Iditarod Trail

City Boundary

Park or Refuge

*These lines generally represent corridors which aresubject to further refinement.

Areas of High Potential forPrehistoric Sites

Ridges and Areas forArcheological Surveys








January 2008

Alcantra, Rosetta M.

From: Brian Lindamood [[email protected]]

Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 8:44 AM

To: [email protected]

Cc: Wendy Lindskoog; Stephenie Wheeler; Robertson, Donna; Alcantra, Rosetta M.; [email protected]; [email protected]

Subject: Planning Commission Packet

Attachments: Matrix_10-19-07.pdf; Port MacKenzie Open House Presentation.pdf; trails_usgs_base_10-22-07.pdf; Public Meeting Stations.v.final.pdf; Public Meeting Statistics.pdf

Page 1 of 1

12/15/2007

Brad- I understand we need to get the packets to the Planning Commission today. Based upon our discussions, I am sending you the attached to provide to them. If you could turn it in to whomever needs it, I would appreciate it. Attached please find the following:

Open House Presentation Open House Station Boards Matrix Trails Map Open House Statistics

Brad, if you feel any of these things should not go, feel free to pull them out. Thanks, Brian








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etla

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and

flood

plai

ns)

Pro

pose

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itiga

tion



January 2008

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January 2008

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For m

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.por

tmac

rail.

com



January 2008

Port MacKenzie Rail Extension Criteria Matrix 10-19-07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Cri

teri

on

Soi ls / Geology

RoadCrossings Land Use

Parcels wi th

Structures

Train Energy Wetlands Habitat

Archeological /Histor ical

Resources

Recreat ional Use

Construct ion Costs

Acr

es

Acr

es

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ct M

easu

rem

ent

Poo

r or

hig

hly

com

pres

sibl

e so

ils

(acr

es)

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lts

# of

exi

stin

g r

oads

# of

new

roa

d cr

ossi

ngs

Agr

icul

tura

l

Par

ks &

R

efug

es

Gov

ernm

ent/

Inst

itut

iona

l N

ativ

eC

orpo

rati

on

Pri

vate

# of

par

cels

wit

h st

ruct

ures

dir

ectl

y im

pact

ed

Lake

s,

pond

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nd

mar

shes

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nt

wet

land

s

For

este

d an

d sc

rub/

shru

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etla

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turb

ed

wet

land

s

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ana

drom

ous

stre

am c

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ings

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h pr

obab

ility

(a

cres

)

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age

ncy-

reco

gniz

ed t

rail

cros

sing

s #

of o

ther

tra

il cr

ossi

ngs

Rec

reat

ion

Fra

gmen

tati

on

Mac West Southern Routes Mac East

Conn 1 Conn 2 Connectors Conn 3

Wil low Houston

Houston North Houston South

Northern Routes

Big Lake








January 2008

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tten

dees

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tings

and

com

men

t for

mat





January 2008

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& A

lask

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d C

orp

ora

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mb

er

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To

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term

ine

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3rd

Pa

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act

or

Proj

ect P

artic

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tsPort MacKenzie Rail Extension


January 2008

ww

w.p

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Proj

ect M

ilest

ones

June

29

Initi

al M

OA

betw

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MSB

and

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C

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st 7

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son

and

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reta

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by

ARRC

to a

ssist

in th

e ST

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s

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. 18

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with

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ects

and

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mitt

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cies

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mer

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l mee

tings

sinc

e

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-28

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with

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tal H

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st

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ity L

and

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atio

n

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I Cor

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tion

Oct

. 1-5

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ect O

pen

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ses



ww

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ect M

ilest

ones

(c

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ined

lega

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in W

ashi

ngto

n DC

to re

pres

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SB a

nd A

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befo

re

the

STB

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. 24

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with

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rod

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Com

miss

ione

r

Oct

. 24

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with

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. 24

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fed

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sory

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Oct

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with

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. 30

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fed

join

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sem

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ovid

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form

atio

n to

the

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ning

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miss

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. 5Pr

ovid

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roje

ct u

pdat

e to

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t Com

miss

ion

Nov

. 6Is

sued

RFP

for 3

rdpa

rty

NEP

A co

ntra

ctor



January 2008

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How

have

we

gath

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the

info

rmat

ion?

•Re

view

ed e

xist

ing

plan

s and

stud

ies

•Co

nduc

ted

publ

ic in

volv

emen

t act

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es

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et w

ith sm

all s

take

hold

er g

roup

s

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ith la

rge

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with

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Kn

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January 2008

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w.p

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acra

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Resu

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lic In

volve

men

t Act

ivitie

s Pu

blic

Com

men

t Sta

tistic

s (a

s of

Nov

embe

r 2, 2

007)

Mee

tings

and

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mm

ent F

orm

atPu

blic

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ting

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ndee

sW

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mm

ents

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rder

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men

tsM

apCo

mm

ents

Oct

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illa

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. 2 –

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Lak

e12

415

528

Oct

. 3 –

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ow86

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Oct

. 4 –

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. 5 –

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ston

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ents

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ww

w.p

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Sam

ple

of w

hat w

e he

ard…

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e ra

il ex

tens

ion

wou

ld p

rovi

de fu

ture

bus

ines

s an

d em

ploy

men

t opp

ortu

nitie

s.•

Choo

se a

rout

e th

at is

logi

stic

al, e

cono

mic

, and

bes

t fo

r com

mun

ities

who

live

nea

r the

rail

belt.

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ncer

ns fo

r wet

land

s, w

ildlif

e ha

bita

t, an

d ag

ricul

tura

l lan

ds.

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crea

tion

and

trai

ls ar

e im

port

ant t

o th

e ar

ea a

nd

the

com

mun

ities

.



January 2008

ww

w.p

ortm

acra

il.co

m

Corri

dors

Und

er C

onsid

erat

ion

Not

e: T

hese

line

s re

pres

ent

poss

ible

cor

ridor

s an

d ar

e su

bjec

t to

cha

nge.

3rdpa

rty

cont

ract

or m

ay a

rriv

e at

ad

ditio

nal r

oute

s as

par

t of E

IS

proc

ess.



ww

w.p

ortm

acra

il.co

m

Evalu

atio

n M

atrix

1.(+

) Pos

itive

; (0)

Neu

tral;

(-) N

egat

ive

2.C

riter

ia n

ot w

eigh

ted

/ Rou

tes

are

unra

nked

3.La

rge

parc

els

of u

ndev

elop

ed la

nd o

wne

d by

Sta

te o

f Ala

ska

MSB

, Uni

vers

ity o

f Ala

ska,

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tal H

ealth

Tru

st, a

nd A

lask

a N

ativ

e co

rpor

atio

ns4.

Land

s th

at a

re d

esig

nate

d fo

r par

ks, r

efug

es, r

esid

entia

l, or

agr

icul

tura

l use

s5.

Cos

ts d

o no

t inc

lude

app

roxi

mat

ely

$10

mill

ion

for l

oop

track

con

stru

ctio

n w

ithin

the

port

(all

alte

rnat

ives

)

PRO

PO

SED

RO

UTE

S

CR

ITER

ION

1, 2

Pre

limin

ary

Cos

t Es

timat

e (m

illion

s) 5

12

34

56

78

910

Poor

or h

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y co

mpr

essi

ble

soils

(cub

ic y

ards

)

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road

cr

ossi

ngs

(#)

Land

avai

labi

lity3

(acr

es/m

ile)

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elop

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parc

els

(#)

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igna

ted

land

use

4

(acr

es)

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n En

ergy

(h

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pow

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hour

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land

s (a

cres

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ped

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rom

ous

fish

stre

ams

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Hig

h po

tent

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or

arch

eolo

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s(a

cres

)

Frag

men

tatio

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des

igna

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and

recr

eatio

nar

eas

(yes

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Wes

t -W

illow

0+

00

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00

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orth

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REV

ISED

12/

6/07

UPD

ATE

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The

Crit

eria

Mat

rixha

sbe

enup

date

dsi

nce

the

Nov

.20,

2007

,pre

sent

atio

nto

the

Mat

anus

ka-S

usitn

aBo

roug

hAs

sem

bly.

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to:h

ttp://

ww

w.p

ortm

acra

il.co

m/d

ocum

ents

/mat

rix_1

2-18

-07.

pdf



January 2008

ww

w.p

ortm

acra

il.co

m

Now

What

?

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ilroa

d fil

es a

pplic

atio

n w

ith S

TB a

roun

d en

d of

ye

ar

•SE

A (S

TB) s

elec

ts 3

rdpa

rty

cont

ract

or b

egin

ning

20

08

•SE

A pr

epar

es e

nviro

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tal d

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hrou

gh

2008

and

beg

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f 200

9

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ecisi

on (e

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id 2

009)



ww

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January 2008






January 2008

Alternatives Comparison Page 1 of 8 12/06/07

Port MacKenzie Rail Extension Project Alternatives Comparison

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) and the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) have developed a range of alternatives for the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension project based on the purpose and need for the project, engineering requirements, and environmental considerations. A constraints analysis was performed to develop preliminary corridors, the alignments that resulted from the constraints analysis were evaluated based on preliminary environmental information, and quantitative data available for the project area were used to compare the alternatives relative to one another. This preliminary report summarizes the comparison of the alternatives based upon objective factors, and subsequently presented in matrix form.

The purpose of the matrix is to provide an expeditious representation using quantitative measures to compare the strengths and weaknesses of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension Project alternatives. For planning and policy analyses, a Goeller scorecard, called a matrix in this report, is useful as it utilizes a disaggregate method to display and compare the strengths and weaknesses of the alternatives (Patton and Sawicki, 1986). This method describes the impacts for each alternative in “natural” units, such as physical units, monetary terms, or other quantifiable terms, and then allows decision-makers to assign a score by which to compare the proposed alternatives. Each column of the matrix represents one impact and each row represents a proposed alternative. The result is a final analysis summary matrix used to present the various impacts.

1.0 Criteria Identification The matrix evaluation criteria used in this analysis were derived from STB criteria (49 CFR 1105.7) and environmental and engineering criteria specific to the project area. Criteria were selected based on (1) availability of a quantifiable measure and (2) differences in measurements for alternatives that allowed for comparison. Quantifiable criteria that resulted in similar results for all alternatives were removed from the analysis as they would not be useful in differentiating the alternatives. The criteria used in the matrix to compare alternatives are described in Table 1. A weighting of the various criteria was avoided to ensure that each criterion was considered equally.

The ARRC is seeking to acquire a 200-foot ROW along the entire length of the proposed alignment. The ARRC would build the rail and all other associated infrastructure within this ROW. Based on this specification, a 200-foot wide buffer along the proposed alignments was used to calculate the areal impacts to the various evaluation criterions using the GIS.

Each criterion was evaluated separately. Alternatives were assigned a plus (+), neutral (0), or minus (-) for each criterion. This was determined by assigning the least impacting alternative(s) a plus and the most impacting alternative(s) were assigned a minus. Alternatives falling in the middle were then assigned a neutral value. The numbers of pluses, neutrals and minuses were totaled for each alternative, and the number of minuses was subtracted from the number of pluses to compare the overall strengths and weaknesses of the alternatives. The number of neutral criteria was not calculated into the final comparison number. Matrix measurements and evaluations are presented in Table 2.




The environmental and engineering opportunities and constraints were compiled by alternative into the final matrix (Table 2). The cells of each criterion column contain two results; the actual unit value of each category as well as the overall scoring result. The final score of each alternative is represented in the ‘total’ column. Construction costs of each alternative were not a part of the final score, although they are included in the matrix as a separate column.

Table 1: Description of criteria used in the matrix Matrix Criterion Description Poorly or highly compressible soils (cubic yards)

Poor soils are often located in wetlands, may include hydrology considerations, and can complicate constructability. Geotechnical fieldwork, including subsurface probing that evaluated all soil types, including frozen material and peat which is highly compressible, was conducted for the proposed routes. Based on a 200-foot-wide ROW, the amounts (cubic yards) of poor or highly compressible soils were calculated by alternative and compared.

Number of new road crossings Crossing roads, with either a grade separated bridge crossing or an at-grade crossing add cost to the project. At-grade crossings also may impact traffic patterns on existing roads, increase noise levels at development near road intersections, and affect local vehicular transit times. Additionally, grade crossings require driver attentiveness and ongoing maintenance. As a measure of each of these potential impacts, the number of new road crossings was tallied for each alternative and compared.

Land availability (acres/mile) The project area is comprised of privately owned parcels; local and state owned designated parcels (parks, refuges, and other public uses); and large tracts of undeveloped or undesignated parcels owned by government (State of Alaska and MSB), Native Corporations, Trust Land Office, and University of Alaska. This category includes only these large tracts of undeveloped and undesignated land as they represent this category and are land types that are the most compatible for locating a rail line and minimize impacts to more developed areas and people. Because the lengths of each alternative varies, the acreages of undeveloped lands within a 200-foot-wide ROW were calculated for each alternative and divided by the length of that alternative. More acres per mile in this category were considered positive.

Number of developed parcels Among the privately owned parcels in the project area, many are currently undeveloped. To evaluate the greater impact to human development, the MSB GIS parcel database was queried for parcels containing an appraised building value. The number of parcels crossed by each alternative that contained structures was counted. A higher number of developed parcels along a route represent impacts to more densely populated areas, individual property owners, and community cohesion.



January 2008


(Table 1 Continued)Matrix Criterion Description Designated land use (acres) Designated lands include state and MSB lands that are

designated as refuges, recreation areas, and parks; state or private lands established for agricultural uses, and private lands designated as residential areas. MSB and state GIS land use databases were examined and the acres of designated lands within each 200-foot-wide ROW were estimated and compared.

Train energy (horsepower-hours)

The movement of trains is resisted by forces related to distance, grades, and curvature. The amount of energy needed for a standardized train to overcome these forces was calculated for each alternative and compared.

Wetlands (acres) The NWI dataset was examined. Wetland types within the project area are highly diverse and have varying levels of functionality and overall value. For this analysis, all wetland types were combined. Wetland impacts were avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible. The total wetland impacts were calculated for each alternative and compared.

Number of mapped anadromous fish stream crossings

Crossing anadromous streams could impact salmon populations, habitat, and/or sport-fishing. State regulations require that culverts and bridges with in-water support structures be designed to allow for fish passage. The ADF&G catalog of anadromous fish streams was used to tally and compare the number of stream crossings by each alternative

High potential for archeological sites (acres)

Areas of cultural and historic significance were avoided where practicable. An archeological probability map provided by MSB cultural resource specialists was used to calculate the acres of potential impact to areas with highest probability of having cultural resources along each alternative.

Fragmentation of designated refuge and recreation areas (Yes/No)

State lands designated as recreation areas and refuges represent areas of high quality wildlife habitat and areas of significant recreational opportunity for fishing, boating, hunting and other outdoor activities. Crossing or encroaching on the boundary of these areas is seen as fragmentation. An alternative that encroached on the boundary of one or more recreation area or refuge was given a ‘yes’ for fragmentation, while alternatives that had no impact on these areas were given a ‘no’. In the scoring, alternatives with no encroachment were assigned a plus (+), alternatives that bisected one or more of these areas were assigned a minus (-), and alternatives that encroached a border but did not bisect the property were assigned as neutral (0).

Construction costs Preliminary total construction cost estimates, including ROW acquisition, were compiled and used to compare each of the alternatives. Construction costs were not included as part of the overall comparison of strengths and weaknesses.








January 2008


Table 2: Final matrix evaluation

Criterion

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Proposed Routes Poor or highly compressible soils (cubic yards in 106

yds3)

New road crossings

(#)

Landavailability (acres/mile)

Developed parcels

(#)

Designated land use (acres)

Train energy (horsepower-hours)

Wetlands (acres)

Mappedanadromous fish streams

(#)

High potential for archeological

sites(acres)

Fragmentation of designated refuges and

recreation areas (yes/no)

+ / 0 / - Total

Cost Estimate (millions)

1.15 5 15.8 15 440 8,100 200 5 585 YES Mac West - Willow 0 + 0 0 - 0 0 0 - -

1/6/3 -2 $320 -

1.73 4 14.6 13 440 7,300 350 7 225 YES Mac West - Houston North - + 0 + - + - - + -

4/1/5 -1 $250 0

1.19 5 16.3 13 415 8,100 280 6 280 NO Mac West - Houston South 0 + 0 + - 0 - 0 + 0

3/5/2 +1 $220 +

0.66 11 11.3 35 320 9,800 220 7 530 NO Mac West - Big Lake + - - - - - 0 - - 0

1/2/7 -6 $290 0

1.05 7 18.9 7 150 8,700 90 4 580 YES Mac East - Willow 0 0 0 + + 0 + + - -

4/4/2 +2 $330 -

1.62 6 18.7 5 145 7,900 240 6 225 YES Mac East - Houston North - 0 0 + + + 0 0 + -

4/4/2 +2 $260 0

1.08 7 20.4 5 130 8,700 175 5 280 NO Mac East - Houston South 0 0 + + + 0 + 0 + +

6/4/0 +6 $230 +

0.56 11 15.4 26 120 9,100 160 7 540 NO Mac East - Big Lake + - 0 - + - + - - +

4/1/5 -1 $285 0








January 2008


2.0 Topics Not Covered in Matrix Several topics were not directly addressed in the evaluation matrix. As previously mentioned, some topics were not applicable to the project, some were difficult to quantify, and others were so similar once quantified that they did not contribute to the comparison. The criteria not included in the matrix are described in Table 3.

Table 3: Criteria not included in the evaluation matrix

Criterion removed Description

Air Quality There are no non-attainment areas in the MSB and therefore in the project area (USEPA 2007). Air quality is generally reported to be good. Each of the alternatives is a similar length and would result in similar air emissions from train traffic. None of the alternatives are likely to increase air emissions to a level of non-attainment.

Noise Because most train noise is generated at crossings, alternatives that require more new at-grade crossings may have a greater noise impact. Noise was not included as a stand-alone criterion in the matrix as it seems to duplicate the “number of new road crossings” criterion.

Safety Safety is an issue for all alternatives, and is generally incorporated in the “number of new road crossings” criterion. While some alternatives would have more at-grade road crossings than others, all alternatives cross recreational trails that may pose a safety concern. All proposed alternatives would have equal potential impacts from the frequency or probability of a release to the areas from hazardous materials. Hazardous spills contingency plans would be modified by ARRC to include the new alignment. Because safety concerns are essentially equal among each of the alternatives, this issue was not a discriminating factor for comparing the alternatives.

Endangered Species There are no threatened or endangered species present within the project area.

Coastal Zone All proposed alternatives would include construction in Alaska’s coastal zone and would be subject to consistency review under the ACMP and the MSB CMP including the Point MacKenzie Area Which Merits Special Attention (AMSA) Plan (as amended in 2006). Therefore, coastal zone impacts were not a discriminating factor for comparing the alternatives.

Operations and Maintenance

Operations and maintenance requirements would be similar for all alternatives and are not a discriminating factor for comparing the alternatives.




(Table 3 Continued)

Criterion removed Description

Public Comment Public comment was not included in the matrix evaluation because it is difficult to measure public comment in quantifiable terms. However, public comment was important for developing the alternatives and for understanding issues specific to the project area. Public comments were considered and helped to refine the proposed corridors and influenced preliminary design elements.

Socio-economics The potential socio-economic impacts of the project are an important consideration. This criterion, however, is complex and is difficult to quantify and compare the impacts between the alternatives in a matrix format. U.S. Census Bureau data from 2000 were analyzed to evaluate project area demographics, housing, and the economy.

HabitatFragmentation

Most of the project area provides quality habitat for a wide range of wildlife species because of the undeveloped to moderately developed nature of the project area. For this reason it was difficult to quantify wildlife habitat fragmentation and impact. This criterion was included in the fragmentation of a park or refuge category.

Trail Crossings The project area has a multitude of trails, both officially recognized through easements and unofficial ‘social’ trails. Extra effort was taken to identify trail locations and to maintain trail connectivity. The number of trail crossings for each alternative was originally included in the analysis, but was dropped because the numbers of officially recognized trails were similar for all alternatives and the numbers of social trails are not easily quantifiable.



January 2008


3.0 Strengths and WeaknessesBased on the results of the matrix, the various alternatives were described by their strengths and weaknesses (Table 4). This was done to provide an easy to comprehend list, without numbers, of the pros and cons of each alternative.

Table 4: Alternatives strengths and weaknesses

Route Strengths Weaknesses

Mac West/ Willow

Requires fewer number of new road crossings

Crosses more incompatible land uses Has higher probability of impacting archeological and/or historical sites

Has greatest impacts to designated state refuges and recreation areas

Mac West/ Houston North

Requires fewest number of new road crossings

Impacts fewer developed parcels

Requires smaller expenditure of train energy

Has less probability of impacting archeological and/or historical sites

Crosses more incompatible land uses Has less suitable soil conditions Impacts more wetlands Impacts a designated refuge and fragments a state recreation area

Crosses greater number of mapped anadromous streams

Mac West/ Houston South

Requires fewer number of new road crossings


Has less probability of impacting archeological and/or historical sites

Crosses more incompatible land uses Impacts more wetlands

Mac West/ Big Lake

Has more suitable soil conditions

Involves greater number of new road crossings

Impacts more developed parcels Crosses more incompatible land uses Requires greater expenditure of train energy


Has higher probability of impacting archeological and/or historical sites

Mac East/ Willow


Crosses more compatible land uses

Impact less wetlands Crosses fewest mapped anadromous streams

Has higher probability of impacting archeological and/or historical sites

Fragments designated state recreation areas




Table 4 (Continued)

Route Strengths Weaknesses

Mac East/ Houston North



Requires smaller expenditure of train energy

Less probability of impacting archeological and/or historical sites

Has less suitable soil conditions Fragments a designated state recreation area

Mac East/ Houston South



Impacts less wetlands Has less probability of impacting archeological and/or historical sites

Avoids designated state refuges and recreation areas

Requires moderate expenditure of train energy, but less than the two Big Lake alternatives

Involves moderate number of new road crossings, but less than the two Big Lake alternatives

Has less suitable soil conditions than the Big Lake alternatives, but better than the Houston North alternatives

MacEast/Big Lake

Avoids designated state refuges and state recreation areas


Has more suitable soils Impacts less wetlands

Impacts more developed parcels Involves greater number of new road crossings

Requires greater expenditure of train energy


Has higher probability of impacting archeological and/or historical sites.



January 2008

Surface Transportation Board (STB), Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Considerations According to NEPA, the STB must examine the environmental impacts of any action subject to their jurisdiction. 49 CFR 1105.7 Environmental Reports requires that an applicant to the STB for an action must submit an Environmental Report on the proposed action prior to or concurrent with their application. The Environmental Report must contain the following:

(1) Proposed action and alternatives. Describe the proposed action and any reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. Include a readable detailed map and drawings clearly delineating the project.

(2) Transportation system. Describe the effects of the proposed action on regional or local transportation systems and patterns. Estimate the amount of traffic that will be diverted.

(3) Land use. Describe the proposed action’s consistency or inconsistency with local and regional plans including agricultural land and coastal zones.

(4) Energy. Describe the effect of the proposed action on energy resources. Consider recyclable commodities, overall energy efficiencies, and change in energy consumption.

(5) Air. Determine if the proposed action will result in an increase in rail traffic, rail yard activity, or truck traffic, and quantify the anticipated effect on air emissions, and whether these increases are within the parameters of the State Implementation Plan. Describe any ozone depleting materials that may be transported, safety practices, the applicant’s safety record, and contingency plans.

(6) Noise. If any thresholds for air quality are surpassed, state whether the proposed action will cause an increase in noise levels. If the increase is beyond noise thresholds, identify noise receptors in the project area and quantify their noise increases.

(7) Safety. Describe effects on public health and safety. If hazardous material may be transported, identify them, safety practices, the applicant’s safety record, and contingency plans. Identify the location of any known hazardous waste sites or spill sites and their contents.

(8) Biological Resources. State effects of the proposed action on endangered and threatened species or critical habitat. List any effects on wildlife sanctuaries and refuges, National or State parks and forests.

(9) Water. Determine whether action is consistent with Federal, State, and local water quality standards, whether section 402 or 404 Clean Water Act permits are required, and whether action will affect any designated wetlands or 100-year flood plains.



(10) Proposed Mitigation: Describe actions that are proposed to mitigate adverse environmental impacts.

(11) Additional required information specific to rail constructions includes:

a. Describe proposed routes in plan view by State, country, and subdivision, showing relationship to existing transportation network.

b. Describe alternative routes considered and why they were not selected.

c. Describe construction plans and their effect on the human environment, labor force requirements, location of borrow pits, and earthwork estimates.

d. Describe the rail operations to be conducted on the line including freight estimates, daily number of train movements, number of cars per train, types of cars, motive power requirements, proposed speeds, labor force, and proposed maintenance-of-way.

e. If energy, noise, or air impact thresholds are met, describe the effects of new and diverted traffic.

f. Describe effects of essential public services, public roads, and adjoining properties. Discuss societal impacts including employment changes during and after construction.

g. Additional information specifically requested by the STB.



January 2008

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public involvement activities summary january 2008 a file notice with stb end of october 2007 •...

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