PUBLIC NOTICE

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Draft Environmental Assessment
Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Troublesome Creek Trail Repairs

Notice is hereby given that FEMA plans to assist the Alaska Department of Natural Resources by providing partial funding to repair damaged segments along the Troublesome Creek Trail, a primitive minimally maintained 15.2 mile long hiking trail in the southern portion of Denali State Park.  Federal financial assistance would be provided pursuant to the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended (The Stafford Act).

FEMA prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed project pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and FEMA’s implementing regulations.  The Draft EA will be finalized after agency and public review and input.  The EA evaluates alternatives for compliance with applicable environmental laws, including: Executive Orders #11988 (Floodplain Management), #11990 (Protection of Wetlands), #12898 (Environmental Justice) and #13084 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments).  The alternatives evaluated include (1) repair and realign of the trail consisting of clearing debris blocking the trail, replacing seven stream crossings, realigning about 3.5 miles of severely damaged segments, and installing switch backs to prevent further erosion.  (2) No Action.  

This notice will constitute the final notice as required by Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management and Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands.  If no significant issues are identified during the comment period, FEMA will finalize the EA, issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and fund the project.  

The Draft EA is available for viewing at the following locations: 

1 Trapper Creek Library - 8901 E. Devonshire Dr – Talkeetna, AK
2 DNR Design & Constr. Office – 550 W. 7th Ave Ste 1340 Anchorage, AK 
3 Mat-Su/CB Area Office – Mile 0.7 Bogard Road – Wasilla, AK
4 AK-DNR Public Notice Site: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/pubnotfrm.htm 
5 FEMA website: http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/index.shtm. 

Please submit your written comments to FEMA Region X Environmental Officer, Mark Eberlein no later than 5 p.m. on June 1, 2009. Comments can be:

1 Mailed:  130-228th Street SW,  Bothell, Washington 98021
2 Faxed:  425-487-4622
3 E-mailed: mark.eberlein@dhs.gov  

After the public comment period has closed, EAs will be moved to the archives page at: http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/archives_index.shtm.