FEIS Summary - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority
FEIS Summary - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority
FEIS Summary - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Findings, Compliance, <strong>and</strong> Permits<br />
Exhibit S-25, on page S-61, captures, in<br />
one table, the relevant Executive Orders,<br />
federal legislation, federal regulations,<br />
<strong>and</strong> state <strong>and</strong> local laws <strong>and</strong> regulations<br />
that apply to the permitting,<br />
construction, <strong>and</strong> operation of the KAC<br />
Project.<br />
Other Related Government Actions<br />
Several major actions of local, state, <strong>and</strong><br />
federal agencies in the Upper Cook Inlet<br />
region are being undertaken<br />
independently of the KAC Project <strong>and</strong><br />
could affect the same areas <strong>and</strong><br />
resources. These actions are described in<br />
various plans <strong>and</strong> studies. The actions<br />
related to the project <strong>and</strong> the specific<br />
contents of applicable planning<br />
documents are briefly described below.<br />
Port MacKenzie Development<br />
Mat Su Borough began planning to build<br />
a deep-water dock facility in the Point<br />
MacKenzie area in the late 1970s. This<br />
project was intended to facilitate<br />
economic development in the borough<br />
<strong>and</strong> provide an alternative to<br />
transporting materials by way of the<br />
highway or rail systems from Anchorage.<br />
An area of about 9,000 acres has been<br />
designated as the Port MacKenzie<br />
District (Port District). The barge dock<br />
was completed in 2000, the deep-draft<br />
dock was completed in 2005, <strong>and</strong> port<br />
offices <strong>and</strong> a ferry terminal are planned.<br />
The key studies for these actions are<br />
Point MacKenzie Area Which Merits<br />
Special Attention Plan (Mat Su Borough<br />
[MSB] 1993a in the EIS) <strong>and</strong> Point<br />
MacKenzie Port Master Plan (MSB 1987<br />
in the EIS).<br />
Port of Anchorage Expansion<br />
The 129-acre POA is the major gateway<br />
for Alaska waterborne commerce <strong>and</strong><br />
plays a vital role in the regional<br />
economy. A planned Marine Terminal<br />
<strong>Knik</strong> <strong>Arm</strong> Crossing Final EIS<br />
<strong>Summary</strong><br />
Redevelopment project is expected to<br />
increase POA capacity, efficiency, <strong>and</strong><br />
security. The existing <strong>and</strong> future uses of<br />
the POA through 2020 are examined in<br />
the Regional Port of Anchorage Master<br />
Plan (POA 1999a in the EIS).<br />
Future L<strong>and</strong> Use for Communities<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Region<br />
Several plans for the Upper Cook Inlet<br />
Region describe existing constraints<br />
<strong>and</strong> objectives for l<strong>and</strong> use <strong>and</strong><br />
transportation. The primary planning<br />
documents that focus on the needs of<br />
<strong>and</strong> actions in the Project Area are:<br />
• Matanuska-Susitna Borough-Wide<br />
Comprehensive Plan (MSB 1970 in the<br />
EIS)<br />
• Matanuska-Susitna Borough: Core<br />
Area Comprehensive Plan, Draft<br />
(MSB 2003a in the EIS)<br />
• Matanuska-Susitna Borough Economic<br />
Development Plan (MSB 2002<br />
in the EIS)<br />
• Anchorage 2020: Anchorage Bowl<br />
Comprehensive Plan (MOA 2001a in<br />
the EIS)<br />
• Freight Mobility Study (MOA 2001b in<br />
the EIS)<br />
• Anchorage Long-Range Transportation<br />
Plan (LRTP) (MOA 2005a in the EIS)<br />
Proposed Ferry Service for <strong>Knik</strong> <strong>Arm</strong><br />
The Mat-Su Borough is developing a<br />
ferry link between Port MacKenzie <strong>and</strong><br />
the POA. The Cook Inlet Ferry (formerly<br />
known as the <strong>Knik</strong> <strong>Arm</strong> Ferry) is<br />
expected to begin operation in 2008,<br />
accommodating foot passengers, tractortrailers,<br />
<strong>and</strong> automobiles. Planned<br />
improvements include parking facilities<br />
<strong>and</strong> ferry l<strong>and</strong>ings on both sides of <strong>Knik</strong><br />
<strong>Arm</strong> <strong>and</strong> a terminal building at Port<br />
MacKenzie.<br />
Planning studies that document the<br />
transportation need for a ferry crossing<br />
are the <strong>Knik</strong> <strong>Arm</strong> Ferry Environmental<br />
S-17