3.0 Affected Environment - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority

Knik Arm Crossing DraftFinal EIS
Affected Environment
3.2.5.2.3 Beluga whale
An agreement to co-manage the 2005 harvest of the Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales has
been negotiated with the Cook Inlet Marine Mammal Commission (CIMMC) and is in the
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) clearance process. CIMMC operates
under tribal resolution from eight tribal village governments or traditional councils in the
Cook Inlet region. The agreement describes specific harvest practices that must be followed
as conditions of the harvest permit (NMFS and CIMMC 2005). From 2005 to 2009, the
annual strike 23 limitations are operating as an interim planning period and are set as follows:
two strikes are allocated for 2005, one strike for 2006, two strikes for 2007, one strike
for 2008, and two strikes for 2009. Beginning in 2010, harvest levels will be derived from
abundance estimates averaged over the previous 5 years (NOAA 2004).
3.2.6 Utilities
This section provides general descriptions and locations of the utility systems in the Study
Area.
3.2.6.1 Water
3.2.6.1.1 The Mat-Su
No public water distribution system is located within the Study Area on the Mat-Su side of
Knik Arm because of the low development density of the area. Property owners are
responsible for their own water systems, which are primarily private wells.
3.2.6.1.2 Southern Alignment
No water utilities exist in the vicinity of the proposed Southern Alignment. The proposed
Below-the-Bluff Roadway is located along the western perimeter of Elmendorf and along the
eastern perimeter of the POA. Elmendorf supplements the water produced by its own
network of wells with a water transmission main from Fort Richardson and purchased water
from AWWU. The POA relies on water from AWWU, and is served by a 12-inch line that
crosses Loop Road.
3.2.6.1.3 Anchorage
AWWU operates the public water supply, treatment, and distribution system, which supplies
water at an average rate of approximately 25 mgd to 52,000 residential, commercial, and
military customers, including those in the Study Area. Figure 3.17 shows the current water
distribution piping in the vicinity of the proposed KAC project’s Anchorage approach
alternatives.
23 A strike is defined as hitting a whale with a harpoon, lance, bullet, or other object.
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