EUL Environmental Assessment Meeting held

No adverse comments were submitted at a meeting Oct. 19 at the Delta Junction community center about the environmental impact of building an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) lodging and medical facility on Fort Greely. The public meeting was held as part of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) review process during the public comment period that began Oct. 12 and ends Nov. 10.

The two recommended sites presented by Douglas Johnson, Project Manager for Weston Solutions, are located within the 110-acre parcel of land designated for the proposed EUL project. The project site is north of Big Delta (the main access road to Fort Greely) and on the east side of Richardson Highway.

The two sites are expected to have either minor to negligible negative impact or to have a positive impact on the various environmental, infrastructure, and socio-economic factors identified in the project’s Environmental Assessment (EA).
One site, located just inside Fort Greely’s main access road to Richardson Highway, would be entered from Big Delta. Its driveway would be located before the security guard post and gate to Fort Greely.

Greely Development Partners, the project developers is recommending this site, because it allows easy access to the EUL facilities, for people on Fort Greely or visiting the Delta Junction area.

The other site, located on the northeast corner of the EUL site, would be entered from the Middle Post Road off Richardson Highway. Johnson stated that the Alaska Department of Transportation had concerns about this site, because of its plans to widen Richardson Highway in the future. The use of Middle Post Road might require turn lanes and other safety improvements not currently in its plans for the highway.

Johnson also said than construction is expected to begin during next year’s construction season. Construction is planned in phases over the next three years.

Interested persons can also review the draft EA and the draft Finding of No Significant Impact on the internet from links on the Fort Greely website homepage.

Bound copies of these documents may be viewed at the Delta Junction Library, 2288 Deborah Street, Delta Junction, AK 99737; Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska, Fairbanks; or the Fairbanks North Star Borough Noel Wien Library, 1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks.

For more information, contact Les Ozawa, 907-873-4604