What is this notice about?
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is starting engineering and environmental studies for a project to reduce rockfall danger on North Douglas Highway in Juneau, between mileposts 9.9 and 10.4. The work would stabilize rock slopes, remove loose rock and debris, and rebuild areas that catch falling rock, with construction expected to begin in 2028. The public can send written comments by November 5, 2026.
Why was this notice issued?
DOT&PF is beginning engineering and environmental studies required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It is doing this federal environmental review under 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated April 13, 2023, with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The environmental document is expected to be a Categorical Exclusion (CE).
What action is being taken?
DOT&PF proposes to reduce rockfall hazards on North Douglas Highway from milepost (MP) 9.9 to 10.4. The work would stabilize rock slopes above the highway where rockslides have happened before, scale (remove) loose rocks and debris, and clear and rebuild rockfall catchment areas. The project is directly uphill from a flood zone VE (a coastal high-hazard flood area), and scaling debris may enter and be disposed of in the floodplain. Possible affected resources include waters of the U.S., essential fish habitat, eagles, threatened and endangered species, Section 4(f) properties (such as public parks and historic sites), invasive plants, and cultural or historic properties. Construction is projected to begin in 2028.
Who is involved: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Southcoast Region; Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); users of North Douglas Highway in Juneau
How can the public respond?
Respond by
Thu, Nov 5, 2026
This deadline has passed.
“by November 5, 2026”
Ways to respond
- Email
connor.brown@alaska.gov
- Fax
(907) 465-4414
- Mail
Connor Brown, Environmental Impact Analyst, DOT&PF Southcoast Region, P.O. Box 112506, Juneau, AK 99811-2506
What to include
Comments should be written. DOT&PF wants comments on possible environmental, social, and economic impacts, and impacts to historic and cultural resources. Mention Project # SFHWY00725. If you need special accommodations to respond, call or email the project coordinator, or call Alaska Relay at 711, or call (800) 770-8973 for TTY, (800) 770-8255 for voice, (800) 770-3919 for ASCII, (866) 355-6198 for STS, and ask the communications assistant to call the project coordinator.
Contact
Connor Brown, Environmental Impact Analyst
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Southcoast Region
connor.brown@alaska.gov
(907) 465-4443
P.O. Box 112506, Juneau, AK 99811-2506
Will there be public meetings?
The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.
Key dates
- Oct 6, 2026: Notice published
- Nov 5, 2026: Deadline for written comments
Original notice text
Project # SFHWY00725
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is to mitigate rockfall hazards on North Douglas Highway from MP 9.9 to 10.4.
The proposed project would:
• Stabilize rock slopes above North Douglas Highway at areas that have previously experienced rockslides
• Scale loose rocks and debris
• Clear and reconstruct rockfall catchment areas
The project would occur directly uphill from a flood zone VE. Scaling debris may enter and be disposed of in the floodplain.
Construction is projected to begin in 2028.
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated April 13, 2023, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.
Development of this proposed project would follow a process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Based on project location and scope of work, the environmental document is anticipated to be a Categorical Exclusion (CE). Possible affected resources include waters of the U.S., essential fish habitats, eagles, threatened and endangered species, Section 4(f) properties, invasive plants, and cultural or historic properties.
The proposed project would comply with all applicable authorities including:
• Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
• Clean Air and Clean Water Acts
• Endangered Species Act
• EO-12898, Environmental Justice
• EO-11988, Floodplain Management
• Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Management Act
• National Historic Preservation Act - Section 106
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Archaeological Resources Protection Act
• Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands
• Executive Order 13112, Invasive Species
• Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act
• Executive Order 13186, Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
• Anadromous Fish Conservation Act
• 16 U.S.C. 662, Section 2 of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
• 33 U.S.C. 403, Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
DOT&PF is soliciting comments on the proposed project. Your comments would help us evaluate potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of this project, as well as impacts to historic and cultural resources.
Please submit your written comments to:
Connor Brown, Environmental Impact Analyst
DOT&PF Southcoast Region
P.O. Box 112506
Juneau, AK 99811-2506
Phone: (907) 465-4443
Fax: (907) 465-4414
Email: connor.brown@alaska.gov
To ensure that all possible factors are considered, please provide comments via email, fax, or mailing address by November 5, 2026.
It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that no person shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source including Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and State of Alaska funds. DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
If you or someone you represent requires special accommodations in order to respond to this public notice, please call or email the project coordinator listed above, or call Alaska Relay at 711, or call (800) 770-8973 for TTY, (800) 770-8255 for voice, (800) 770-3919 for ASCII, (866) 355-6198 for STS. Ask the communications assistant to call the project coordinator listed above so arrangements can be made to assist you.
This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text.
This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.