Sand Point New Harbor: Floating Dock Project – Public Input Requested

In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD), the Aleutians East Borough (AEB) is proposing to install a prefabricated treated timber floating dock (Float A) to the existing AEB Sand Point New Harbor, for improved safety, efficiency, and reliable use of the harbor. MARAD awarded funds to the AEB under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to complete these improvements. The use of these federal funds requires compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to be provided through an Environmental Assessment (EA) process. MARAD is the lead federal agency for the NEPA EA. The purpose of this announcement is to present the proposed improvements, and ask for your comments, questions, and concerns. Note that no formal public meeting is proposed. All of your comments will be taken into consideration as the project continues.

Project Description

The Project includes furnishing and installing prefabricated treated timber floats (that are 12 feet by 1,054 linear feet), a new trestle (at 12 feet by 20 feet), a new gangway (at 6 feet by 80 feet), a new landing float (at 20 feet by 20 feet), three new smaller transformer floats (12 feet by 6 feet each), all supported by driving 16-inch and 18-inch diameter steel pipe piles. The project includes installing potable water, fire protection, electrical and lighting, cathodic protection, and other safety systems such as life rings, ladders, and fire extinguishers onto the new dock.

The installation of Float A will bring the New Harbor facility to full use, doubling its capacity and increasing moorage space in the harbor from 254 linear feet to 1,308 lineal feet for vessels of all sizes.

Figures 1 and 2 provide an overview of existing conditions and project elements. Federal and state permits were obtained for the project in 2018 but are being renewed/extended to allow for construction to commence in 2024.