Daily Sitka Sentinel

Assembly Gives a Go to Seaplane Base

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer

The Assembly listened to public comments for and against a new seaplane base on Japonski Island at Tuesday night’s meeting, and voted to proceed with the project.

The 5-1 vote commits the city to the project, including completing design on the project and purchasing the land. Voting in favor were Kevin Mosher, Kevin Knox, Thor Christianson, Crystal Duncan and Rebecca Himschoot. Valorie Nelson voted against and Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz was not present.

Members of the public speaking against the project cited the potential adverse impacts on the nearby Raven’s Way youth treatment program, and other services on Seward Avenue. Those in favor said the seaplane facility is needed to replace the small and deteriorating floatplane dock  across the channel. They also cited benefits to the economy by expanding small aircraft operations in the community.

The city is applying for $3.2 million in FAA funding for design work and $828,248 to purchase land from the state Department of Education.

The city is hoping no local match will be required for the two expenditures. The facility is expected to cost about $15 million.

“This is the next phase – longtime plan phase – for the Sitka seaplane project, for FAA funding,” said Public Works Director Michael Harmon. “This gets us past the planning stage, in which this is a strong commitment from the city to follow through on this project. If we accept these grants, the FAA is expecting us to build this project. ... They’re looking for a strong commitment from the community and the Assembly.”

If the city does not qualify for the zero percent match, it could apply for FAA funding that requires a 6.25 percent match from the city.

The city has received an environmental assessment for the property, with a Finding of “No Significant Impact” from the FAA, and an agreement from the state to sell the land for the new seaplane base. The general layout shows 14 permanent stalls on one float and 4 transient spaces on the other, with the facility located on the north end of Japonski Island. Upland development calls for a ramp and parking areas for cars and planes. A draft of the development plan was on the front page of Tuesday’s Sentinel.

Some plane pilots and operators testified Tuesday in favor of the new seaplane base, saying it was needed to replace the old city facility off Katlian Street.

Most objections came from the staff at the Raven’s Way program, objecting to the location of the base near the SEARHC youth treatment and counseling facility.

Counselors and other workers from Raven’s Way and other SEARHC facilities on Seward Avenue said they were concerned about an increase in foot and vehicle traffic, a loss of privacy, potential access to contraband items, and noise and activities detracting from the counseling and education programs, and the living conditions for the many clients there.

“This will have significant negative impacts on the ability to provide necessary, effective and beneficial treatment for youth and their families,” said Annette Becker, saying she was speaking as a citizen.

“The location has me concerned,” said Jeremiah Craig, who works on Seward Avenue. “An increase in traffic would be extremely detrimental to everybody on that street.”

A handful of others joined in objecting to the location. One resident cited other services on Seward Avenue that the floatplane facility could disrupt, including inpatient and outpatient treatment.

Small plane owner and pilot Dave Gordon spoke in favor.

“Seaplane operations in the Sitka Channel have been happening for many decades, and is an essential part of Sitka’s transportation’s needs,” he said. “This is not a new thing.”

As for noise concerns, he said, seaplane operations are seasonal, taxiing seaplanes don’t make excessive noise, and the takeoff noise would be about the same as it is now.

“Given the dilapidated condition of the existing facility, Sitka in a few short years will be without a seaplane facility,” he said.

Others also spoke in favor, citing increased access to remote areas with a better facility.

“The important thing here is that it needs to move forward,” said Richard Wein. “These things were vetted publicly with many public meetings ... it’s an important piece of the puzzle for Sitka to develop. This needs to go forward.”

He said the Assembly has passed more than one resolution of support for this project, and also noted that this location was found to be the best-suited through an FAA evaluation.

“We are on an island, we service communities, the best way to service a lot of these communities are seaplanes,” Wein said.

Fred Olsen Jr., a member of the tribal council but who said he was speaking as an individual, said he was surprised to see the item before the Assembly before some of the issues were worked out.

Nelson cast the lone vote against, saying she was not comfortable moving forward in light of questions and concerns raised. Members who voted in favor said it wasn’t a perfect solution but said they wanted the Assembly and city staff to continue working out problems and objections as the planning process moves forward.

Knox said Sitka Channel has been used as an aerodrome for over 75 years, and the process selecting the site has been “extremely exhaustive” in studies in 2012 and 2016. Other sites considered included Jamestown Bay, Starrigavan and the existing seaplane float, among others, and significant problems were found with each

“It was determined that the aerodrome remaining in the channel was really the only alternative and this location was the only real viable spot for the new base to be developed,” he said.