JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON -- Representatives for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District will host two public participation meetings on Nov. 15 and 16, from 7-9 p.m. at the Safe Harbor Church and Community Center, also known as the “Trident Church Building,” in Akutan for anyone interested in learning about the Akun Harbor study. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and submit comments throughout the presentations.
The first evening’s presentation will be focused on the information gathered to date. On the second day, the USACE team will conduct work meetings and will report on their progress that evening. The public is encouraged to share its input and ideas on both nights. All public participation will be used in the development of the study’s workplan and the development of the alternatives to be investigated.
The district plans to have data-gathering teams in Akutan periodically through the course of the study. These groups will be seeking information about the environment and the geology at each investigation site.
The opening of an airport on Akun Island in 2012 has resulted in the need for a small boat harbor there to facilitate transportation between the airport and the neighboring island of Akutan. The Aleutians East Borough tried operating a hovercraft between the two islands, but the operational costs exceeded $3 million annually and the vessel was discontinued in February 2014. Currently, the borough uses helicopter transport, which costs about $2 million annually. The borough believes that transportation by conventional marine vessel would be much less financially burdensome, but there are no marine docking facilities on Akun Island.
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Release no. 21-021