Sitka Seaplane Base Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment /Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Alaska Region, is issuing this notice to advise the public of the availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment (Final SEA) and FAA’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)/Record of Decision (ROD) to construct City and Borough of Sitka’s (CBS) proposed new Seaplane Base (SPB) in Sitka, Alaska. The FAA issued its Final EA and FONSI/ROD on January 28, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Ponozzo, FAA Environmental Protection Specialist, Alaska Region Airports Division, 222 West 7th Avenue, MS #14, Anchorage, AK 99513, 907-271-3665.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: The Final SEA and FONSI/ROD responds to agency and public comments received by the FAA and it updates the Draft SEA, issued on September 9, 2025. The Final SEA and FONSI/ROD document that the Proposed Action is consistent with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures and with existing national environmental policies and objectives set forth in Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality regulations, 40 CFR parts 1500–1508, the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and all other applicable special purpose laws. The Proposed Action will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment or otherwise include any condition requiring consultation pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of NEPA, and that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is therefore not necessary. The FONSI/ ROD documents the FAA’s decision to implement the Proposed Action alternative as detailed in and supported by the Final EA.
AVAILABILITY: The Final SEA and FONSI/ROD are available below:
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 7 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)
2026 - Final SEA
Appendix A Sitka SPB Final EA Report_508.pdf
Appendix B All Siting Studies_508.pdf
Appendix C Species Consults_508.pdf
Appendix I Climate Change_508.pdf
Appendix K Public Input_508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx B Revised EFH_508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx D1 Field Memo_508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx D2 DOE and Findings_508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx D3 Section 4f _508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx D4 S106 Consultation_508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx E Noise and Traffic Analyses 508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx F Wetlands Report_508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx G Scoping Outreach_508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx H Draft EA Meeting_508.pdf
2021 EA_Appx I Draft EA Comment Response_508.pdf
2025 - Draft SEA
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
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.
