The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides notice that a Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA), prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code §§ 4321 – 4355), to assess the City and Borough of Sitka’s (CBS) proposed new Seaplane Base (SPB) is available for review and comment.
The CBS is seeking to address capacity, safety, operational, and condition deficiencies at the existing Sitka SPB through the Proposed Action of deactivating the existing SPB and constructing a new SPB. The Federal action requested of the FAA by CBS is to approve the Proposed Action, deactivate the current SPB and fund construction of the relocated SPB through FAA’s Airport Improvement Program.
The FAA’s approval of Proposed Action is considered a major federal action under NEPA and requires a NEPA review. The Draft SEA is submitted for review pursuant to NEPA, FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. § 303), and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. § 470). The Draft SEA will be available for public review beginning on September 9, 2025, and ending on October 13, 2025.
A public open house will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Harrigan Centennial Hall, Steelhead Room, located at 330 Harbor Drive, Sitka, AK.
The Draft SEA is available for review below
Comments on the Draft SEA may be submitted electronically to sitkaspb@dowl.com. Written comments may be mailed to the address provided below and should be post marked by 5:00 PM Alaska Time on Friday, October 13, 2025.
Federal Aviation Administration, Alaska Region Office of Airports
222 West 7th Avenue, MS#14
Anchorage, AK 99513
All substantive comments received will be responded to in the Final SEA.
PRIVACY NOTICE: Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
This Draft SEA becomes a federal document when evaluated, signed, and dated by the Responsible FAA Official.
The existing Seaplane Base has been operating for 65 years and is at the end of its useful life. The Assembly passed an action plan to construct a new facility just inside the breakwater on Japonski Island (end of Seward Street) making this a top priority to secure Federal Funding, land, and ultimately construction. Federal funding* is anticipated to cover 93.75% of the cost of construction and another $150k per year in entitlements for the Airport Capital Improvements Program (ACIP). For this reason, it is essential for the project development to follow the required Federal funding process.
There are 5 main phases required to complete to be eligible to proceed to the next stage and receive Federal funding:
1. Planning and Environmental Review (current funded stage): Completed
2. Layout plan (current funded stage): Completed
3. Land acquisition: Completed summer 2021
*Federal Grants for 2021 will be 100% covered
4. Environmental Analysis: To be completed December 2025 (Anticipated)
5. Environmental Permitting: Fall 2026 (Anticipated)
6. Final Design: Complete October 2026 (Anticipated)
7. Construction: 2027-2028 (Anticipated)
2025
Appendix A_Sitka SPB FInal EA Report_508.pdf
FEIS Appx A - Alts_508.pdf
FEIS Appx B - Revised EFH_508.pdf
FEIS Appx D1 - Field Memo_508.pdf
FEIS Appx D2 - DOE and Findings_508.pdf
FEIS Appx D3 Revised Section 4f - June 2021_508.pdf
FEIS Appx D4 - S106 Consultation_508.pdf
FEIS Appx E - Noise and Traffic Analyses 508.pdf
FEIS Appx F - Wetlands Report_508.pdf
FEIS Appx G - Scoping Outreach_508.pdf
FEIS Appx H - Draft EA Meeting_508.pdf
FEIS Appx I - Draft EA Comment Response_508.pdf
Appendix B_All Siting Studies_20250627_508.pdf
Appendix C_Species Consults_508.pdf
Appendix I_Climate Change_20250903_508.pdf
*Public comment period is open from September 9th to October 13th. Please provide comments via email to sitkaspb@dowl.com
2024
Sitka SPB_Compiled Noise Study Memo_2024.01.31.pdf
2021
1a. Final Environmental Assessment with Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) 6.9.2021.pdf
3a. SPB Facility Layout Plan Concept.pdf
4. SPB Concept Site Sections.pdf
5. SPB Airport Layout Plan.pdf
6. SPB Airport Capital Improvement Project.pdf
7. SPB Preliminary Wind and Wave Study.pdf
8. SPB Draft Environmental Assessment Public Meeting PowerPoint Presentation 2.17.2021.pdf
9. SPB Draft Environmental Assessment Public Meeting Notes 2.17.2021.pdf
10. SPB Pilot Public Meeting Notes 6.24.2020.pdf
11. SPB Pilot Public Meeting Notes 6.24.2020.pdf
12. Alternative Sites 2016 SPB Siting Analysis.pdf
13. Alternative Sites 2012 SPB Siting Analysis.pdf
2019
New Sitka Seaplane Base Fact Sheet
New Sitka Seaplane Base Development
New Sitka SPB Location Map
New Sitka SPB Project Concept Map
1. Aviation Stakeholder Meeting Notes & Presentation 12.11.19
2. Public Meeting Notes & Presentation 12.11.19
3. Agency Meeting Notes.& Presentation 12.12.19
2012 & 2016
The Seaplane Base Siting Analysis presentation was delivered in 2012 at public meeting in Sitka. The presentation reviewed the need for seaplane base (SPB) improvements in Sitka, summarized the SPB site selection process, and recommended a preferred site for detailed planning and environmental review prior to design and construction. The siting analysis was updated in 2016.
2002
Sitka Seaplane Base Master Plan 2002
Questions about this project should be directed to:
Joseph Bea
907-747-1803
joseph.bea@cityofsitka.org
11/1/2016
The Sitka Seaplane Base Siting Analysis Update is now available for download.
Click here to view the Siting Analysis Update.
2/17/2016
The Sitka Seaplane Base Siting Analysis Update Public Meeting Notes from Wednesday, February 17, 2016.
Click here to view the Siting Analysis Update Public Meeting Notes.
6/25/12
The Sitka Seaplane Base Siting Analysis is now available for download.
Click here to view the Siting Analysis.
4/16/12
The Seaplane Base Siting Analysis presentation (see below) was delivered at an April 11, 2012 public meeting in Sitka. The presentation reviews the need for seaplane base (SPB) improvements in Sitka, summarizes the SPB site selection process, and recommends a preferred site for detailed planning and environmental review prior to design and construction.
Please review the presentation and provide us with your email comments by April 30, 2012.
Click the following link to view the Seaplane Base Siting Analysis Presentation.
