News Release

Replacement of Cottonwood Cabin Environmental Assessment Available for Public Comment

Date: December 18, 2017
Contact: Eric Veach, 907-422-0500

SEWARD, AK – At Kenai Fjords National Park, an Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluating alternatives to replace a cabin used for employee housing is now available for public comment. The Cottonwood Cabin was one of three “dry” cabins constructed in the mid-1980s for park employee housing at the Exit Glacier area. The cabin was recently declared to be excessed property due to structural deficiencies, and the State of Alaska accepted a property transfer of the cabin and removed the cabin from the park in the fall of 2017. This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to analyze the potential environmental impacts of two potential actions, including the Proposed Action and the No Action alternative.

The primary purpose and need of the proposed project is to replace the former Cottonwood Cabin, which was not in compliance with fire code or accessibility standards, with a new, larger cabin in order to provide safe, efficient, and adequate housing for park staff. The preferred alternative of the park proposes to replace the former Cottonwood Cabin, located in the service area of Exit Glacier Developed Area. The park proposes to replace the former 14-foot by 24-foot cabin with loft with a 24-foot by 32-foot single story cabin with two bedrooms. The proposed new cabin would be built in the same location, but would be enlarged by 432 square feet as compared to the former cabin. It would be designed to meet current fire code and accessibility standards.

The Environmental Assessment entitled "Replacement of Cottonwood Cabin” is available at the park planning website. The EA was completed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.9). Comments on the EA may be submitted through January 16, 2018, preferably via the website. Comments may also be faxed to [phone], or mailed to:

Superintendent
Kenai Fjords National Park
ATTN: Cottonwood EA
P.O. Box 1727
Seward, AK 99664