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Home My WebLink About05262017 Historic Preservation Laydown - DOT OF 11 T,%.8 THE STATE Department of Transportation '' ° and Public Facilities AL ASh:A = =--- DESIGN&ENGINEERING SERVICES V1 h PRELIMINARY DESIGN&ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNOR BILL WALKER PO Box 196900 Anchorage,Alaska 99519-6900 Main:907.269.0542 Toll Free:800.770.5263 TDD:907.269.0473 In Reply Refer To: Liquefaction Evaluation of Gravel Using Dynamic Penetration Test HFHWY00075/4000172 May 19,2017 Jolund Luther Chair City of Seward Historic Preservation Commission PO Box 167 Seward,AK 99664 Dear Mr. Luther: The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has assumed the responsibilities of the Federal Highway Administration under 23 U.S.C. 326, and is proposing a research project to determine the feasibility and applicability of the dynamic cone penetration test(DPT)to assess risk of gravel liquefaction in earthquake zones in Alaska. Though this methodology was developed in China, it appears to hold significant promise in assessing liquefaction resistance in gravelly soils in Alaska. To apply this methodology, it needs to be optimized, calibrated using data from other earthquakes where liquefaction occurred(e.g., 1964 Alaska Earthquake), and validated using results from field tests. The research project would occur at sites outlined in Table 1; Sections 26, 27, 34, 35,Township 1 North, Range 1 West, Seward Meridian, on USGS Quad Map Seward A-7 NE,in Seward, Alaska(Figure 1). Table 1.Subsurface exploration locations,Seward,AK. Location Latitude Longitude Site 1 60.141423 -149.418827 Site 2 60.143687 -149.422320 Site 3 60.137755 -149.421784 Site 4 60.140503 -149.419956 Consultation for this project is being conducted in accordance with the 2014 Programmatic Agreement...for the Federal-Aid Highway Program in Alaska. The DOT&PF, acting as a Federal agency, finds that no historic properties would be affected by the proposed project pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4(d)(1), implementing regulations of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. This submission provides documentation in support of this finding, as required at 36 CFR 800.11(d). Project Description "Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure." HFHWY00075 May 19,2017 Field tests would be performed at four sites where gravels have liquefied in past earthquakes. A steel rod about 2.5 inches wide and 50 feet deep would be hammered into gravelly soils in close proximity to the Resurrection River and Japanese Creek, near the Seward Highway milepost(MP) 3, in Seward,Alaska. Access to test sites (Figure 2)would be by existing gravel roads. Area of Potential Effect(APE) The test holes are located near Seward Highway MP 3 in proximity to Resurrection River and Japanese Creek. The Area of Potential Effect(APE)consists of the four test hole locations listed in Table 1, as well as potential equipment access areas(Figure 2). Ground disturbance would be minimal; access would use existing gravel roads and pads, and test holes would be refilled after field studies are complete. The APE does not include visual effects as no construction would occur;the proposed project area would remain consistent with the existing conditions and activities would not alter the setting or character of the area. Identification Efforts On May 15, 2017, DOT&PF reviewed the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey(AHRS)database.No properties were identified by the AHRS within to the APE of the project area; however,three resources were identified adjacent to the proposed project area(Table 2). DOT&PF also reviewed the Kenai Peninsula Borough(KPB) Parcel Viewer on May 15, 2017,to identify properties older than 45 years.No properties older than 45 years old were identified within or adjacent to the APE. Table 2.Historic properties in the vicinity of HFHWY00075 test holes. AHRS# Site Name Description Assoc.Dates DOE Status NRHP Eligibility Seward-Moose Pass Part of the Determined eligible Nomination SEW-00148 Trail Iditarod National Historic by SHPO and sent to Keeper. Historic Trail Agency 3/10/2015. 125-mile long two-lane SEW-01557 Seward Highway highway Historic None. None. connecting Seward and Anchorage Closed for Railroad line other reason, SEW-00029 Alaska Railroad from Seward to 1915-1923 None. needs re- Potter(MP 64) evaluation. Finding of Effect A finding of"no historic properties affected"was reached for this project,because there are no historic properties within the APE of the project. Consultation Efforts The following parties are being notified of this fording: the State Historic Preservation Officer, City of Seward Historic Preservation Commission, Resurrection Bay Historical Society, Qutekcak Native Tribe,Chugachmiut, Chugach, Inc., and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. HFHWY00075 May 19,2017 If you wish to comment on this finding, I can be reached at the address above,by telephone at 907-269-0534,or by e-mail at erik.hilsinger@alaska.gov. Your timely response will greatly assist us in incorporating your concerns into project development. For that purpose,we respectfully request that you respond within thirty days of your receipt of this correspondence. Sincerely, Erik Hilsinger DOT&PF Central Region Cultural Resources Specialist Enclosures: Figure 1. Location and Vicinity Map Figure 2. APE map with test hole locations Electronic cc w/enclosures: Carolyn Morehouse, P.E., DOT&PF (Statewide), Project Manager David Hemstreet,P.E.,G.E.,DOT&PF State Foundation Engineer Brian Elliott, DOT&PF (Central Region), Regional Environmental Manager Melissa Goldstein, DOT&PF Statewide Environmental NEPA Manager Kathy Price,Cultural Resources Manager, Statewide Environmental Office Elena Fernandez, DOT&PF Central Region, Environmental Analyst IVI n1 ' ;. ' 4. ' ..y 0 , • F ..41. `` _` • . k. • °- • • , r `t`%it i Resurrection River • i • irk, / y� 4. r, , .:. TEST HOLE SIT'- ✓ r • • Banow , City of Seward N.. Resurrection Bay SITE LOCATION: Ikkuoucbue , • SEWARD ;„fe Fairbanks Talkeew c k : ..T cfo a Vaal S...way C,2� Bethel Y Iu aaau 1.�,i _ Oilhng. >.h�w�, t �j• Kodiak 'ti:, N SF�/'• Kttchi n .., Unalaska,_ - • 0 STATE OF ALASKA Liquefaction of Gravel Using Dynamic DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Cone Penetration Test (DPT) AND PUBLIC FACILITIES PROJECT NO. HFHWY00075 FIGURE 1 PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND LOCATION AND VICINITY MAP ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP STATE OF ALASKA • i Resurrection River i - • , ti • N. aiP ' 1! 'i.i I -. - -. Japanese Creek tvi ;ilb 1 Barrow; • SITE LOCATION: `!Kotzebue '1 SEWARD me Fairbanks Talkeet o .' chor Fe Valde 5 way IIIII Area of Potential Effect(APE) At Bethel ` luncau _ odhngfk3 , / s,tk� • ,1 s �'_ Kodiak r�' % Test Hole Sites N Ketchi in �'k• Unala;k44 STATE OF ALASKA Liquefaction of Gravel Using Dynamic DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Cone Penetration Test (DPT) AND PUBLIC FACILITIES PROJECT NO. HFHWY00075 FIGURE 2 PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND LOCATION AND VICINITY MAP ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP STATE OF ALASKA