Frequently Asked Questions:

We hope the following will help answer your questions about the harbor expansion project.

What is the first step?
The first step in the master plan is to identify existing conditions and future facility needs; determine where the facilities/features should be from the public's and operators perspective; and lay out several scenarios. We will begin this at the November 2002 meetings where folks will be asked to provide input via a lengthy questionnaire and discussions with project team and City's Harbormaster. We will compile the information we've received and develop several scenarios. Where consensus is present, the scenarios may be similar. Where there is no consensus on location of facilities or harbor features, these will be presented for further discussion in newsletters and at meetings in December 2002 and February 2003.

Your questionnaire mentions that some master planning items are on hold. What are they?
Several items will be discussed in subsequent phases of the work and these include items related to capital improvements including funding improvements, phasing plans, zoning, equipment needs, environmental concerns, harbor operations, fees, harbor services and policies. These will be addressed after the scenarios are refined.

What about the East harbor expansion?
The master planning effort will compliment the City's work with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) to provide two new areas with a total of approximately 11.7 acres of additional protected moorage. This project will include entrance channel dredging and construction of the new breakwaters adjacent to the coal loading facilities. The layout of the East Harbor Expansion is an integral part of the master planning and will be planned concurrent with the master plan.

How will the projects be funded?
The federal government will fund the entrance channel dredging and construction of the new breakwaters. The City must develop and fund the inner harbor float system as well as the related upland facilities in the east harbor expansion area. Funding for other projects identified in the master plan will be determined later.

How will the public be involved in the process?
The City is committed to getting more input from the public. Towards that end, a Public Involvement Coordinator is part of the project team and a plan to obtain input has been developed. The public involvement tools include public meetings in Anchorage and Seward; updates to the harbor's web site including the public's ability view the documents in process, comment and view what other's are saying. Check out the Plans and send us your comments.

Will this plan be coordinated with the Alaska Railroad Corporation?
Yes, the City will coordinate with area landowners including the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC). The ARRC owns uplands on the north end of the harbor, some of which are under long-term leases.

How did we get to where we are today?