Project Nomination Package

NEED ID # Project Name: Project Type: Sponsor: Location: Borough: King Cove Aleutians East Borough 26120 AEB: King Cove Cold Bay Road URBAN AND RURAL Region: C Sponsor Contact: Sharon Boyette Phone: (907) 274-7555 HPEB Date: 2/8/2011

Description: This project will construct the third and final phase of the road connecting the City of King Cove with the City of Cold Bay and its 10,412 foot long all-weather airport. The project will construct a 17.5 mile single lane gravel road. The DCCED Community Profile database lists the population of King Cove as 744.

Justification: The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Subtitle E (Izembek Land National Wildlife Refuge Land Exchange) states in part, Upon receipt of notification by the State and the Corporation of the intention of the State and the Corporation to exchange the non-Federal land for the Federal land, subject to the conditions and requirements described in this subtitle, the Secretary may convey to the State all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land. The Federal land within the Refuge shall be transferred for the purpose of constructing a single lane gravel road between the communities of King Cove and Cold Bay, Alaska. This legislation stipulated that the road constructed for this purpose shall be used "primarily for health and safety purposes (including access to and from the Cold Bay Airport) and only for non-commercial purposes." The Alaska Legislature unanimously approved the land exchange in 2010. King Cove is a large community of over 700 people, and all regional air travel routes through Cold Bay's large regional airport. There is hovercraft access between the two communities, but recently the Aleutians East Borough discontinued hovercraft runs between the two communities for the winter months due to extreme weather, maintenance issues and high costs to operate the vessel. Despite their proximity, King Cove and Cold Bay are geographically isolated areas. The area's geographic isolation makes aviation the primary means of passenger transport to and from the communities. Fog during summer and high winds during winter with mountainous terrain over open water causes delays and treacherous transportation options out of King Cove that can limit accessibility. A reliable surface mode of transport for local residents would be of great benefit for safer travel. The cost is roughly estimated at $21,000,000. Project Cost Phase 2: Phase 3: Phase 4: Phase 7: Total Cost: $21,000,000 $0 Sponsor's Contribution

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Total Region Score:

King Cove

AEB: King Cove Cold Bay Road

26120

URBAN AND RURAL

1. Economic Benefit: This project provides new road access and is explicitly called out in a plan (Southwest Alaska Transportation Plan, 2004 Revision). This road would provide a way to share community functions, equipment and materials. King Cove is 47.9% native with subsistence rights in the Izembek Natonal Wildlife Refuge. The AEB and City of King Cove strongly believe that the road will have major economic benefit to by assuring year round, reliable, and affordable access between King Cove and Cold Bay Airport instead of the current unreliable and costly air and marine service. The road also will increase the health and safety of residents by providing reliable and safer access to subsistence resources.[ 7 ] 2. Health and Quality of Life: This project provides a significant contribution to the health and quality of life by providing access from King Cove to the airport and overland medevac access. Congress originally focused on "lifesafety" and medical evacuation as the primary need for the project. The hovercraft is currently winterized and will not be in operation until June 2011. In 2007 the hovercraft successfully completed at least 27 medevacs. Aircraft travel during this winterization of the hovercraft can be difficult. Although the King Cove airport runway was resurfaced in 2005, the FAA Alaska Aviation Supplement states "Runway 07-25 soft during breakup and after heavy rain. Runway safety areas drop-off on both sides of the runway. Given the conditions, the facility is not optimal for year-round use.[ 9 ] 3. Safety: A road between the two communities would be the safest and reliable mode of transportation. There is a documented NTSB accident history at the King Cove Airport, including one Beech 200 medevac accident that killed 6 people. The Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands are known for their cloudy and windy weather. There is a small margin of error for aircraft operating in this area. The combination of windy weather, low visibility, mountainous terrain, and open water mean air and water transportation can be unreliable. There is also a limited access to emergency health care in an area known for dangerous fishing conditions. In addition the Coast Guard is tasked with rescues at sea, and regular medevac operators provide service for land based communities. At 3,500 feet, the King Cove runway is marginal for some types of medevac aircraft otherwise typically used (for example lear jets). The AEB and City of King Cove believe a road between the two communities would be the safest and most reliable mode of transportation.[ 9 ] 4. Improves Intermodal Transportation: This project would clearly reduce the need for capital investment in another mode of transportation (hovercraft, which currently serves the route between the two communities), as well as the possible need to lengthen the King Cove Airport for improved safety. The effects of the weather have limited the ability of the hovercraft to serve the medical evacuation needs year-round, and is currently not operating due to high cost and poor winter weather.[ 9 ] 5. Local Capital Contribution: funded.[ 3 ] The Aleutians East Borough will provide a 10% capital match. The EIS is already

6. M&O Priority: There is a previous agreement for local ownership and operation for the adjacent recently constructed section of the road. We anticipate the AEB will operate and maintain this section of road as well while ownership may be retained by the state.[ 5 ] 7. Public Support: Preponderance of public support. The project is specifically called out in the Aleutians East borough Transportation Plan 1991, the DOT&PF Southwest Area Transportation Plan (Revised 2004). There are resolutions from the King Cove City Council and the Aleutians East Borough supporting the project. The Aleutians East Borough, City of King Cove, Adgaagux Tribe of King Cove, and King Cove Corporation successfully advocated for this federal legislation to allow for this process to evaluate the proposed land exchange for the possibility of constructing this road link.[ 9 ] 8. Environmental Approval: Environmental approvals are necessary and not yet complete. The DEIS for the land exchange and road corridor is under development. We expect a record of decision in approximately one year then the Secretary of Interior will make a final decision.[ 7 ] 9. Surface Rehabilitation: This is major construction of a long term project.[ 4 ] 10. Cost Effectiveness: $21,000,000/17.5 mi./ 100 = $12,000[ 3 ] 11. Deficient Bridges: No deficient bridges.[ 4 ] 12. Functional Class: This road would be classified as a Major Collector per the State's recently implemented guidence regarding functional classification.[ 7 ]

13. Other Factors: The State's support for this project is evident by the exchange of 43,093 acres of state land in exchange for the roughly 206 acres for the road corridor.[ 0 ]