Prince William Sound Ferry Terminals – Draft Environmental Assessment Online Open House
THIS ONLINE MEETING AND PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOW CLOSED
Public Comment Period: Monday, October 27 – Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Prince William Sound Ferry Terminals
Draft Environmental Assessment Online Open House
THIS ONLINE MEETING AND PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOW CLOSED
Public Comment Period:
Monday, October 27 – Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Welcome!
Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Prince William Sound (PWS) Ferry Terminals project. The environmental document prepared for this project is an Environmental Assessment (EA), which evaluates proposed improvements to ferry terminal dock facilities in three PWS communities: Chenega, Cordova, and Tatitlek.
The purpose of this online open house is to share the draft EA’s findings and seek comments on the proposed action and mitigation measures.
Feedback
Your feedback is important to us! To provide feedback, you may visit the Contact Us and More Information section of this Online Open House or visit the website at Prince William Sound Ferry Terminals Contact us.
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Project Introduction
The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), managed by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), is a vital part of Alaska’s transportation network. DOT&PF Southcoast Region is conducting an EA to identify and evaluate options to update ferry terminal dock facilities in Chenega, Cordova, and Tatitlek to support the berthing and home port operations of the AMHS newer Alaska Class Ferries.
Your input is critical to the success of the EA. We hope you will take time to review the alternatives and share your feedback. You may download a PDF document of the draft EA found in the Document Center below. Adobe Reader is required to view the PDF documents and you may download a free copy of Adobe Reader at https://get.adobe.com/reader.
Document & Information Center
- Draft EA
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Project Fact Sheet
- Project FAQs
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Project Website
- Text Only
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated April 13, 2023, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and DOT&PF.
It is the policy of DOT&PF that no one shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons who believe they may have experienced discrimination in the delivery of these federally assisted programs or activities may file a complaint with: Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office 2200 East 42nd Avenue, Room 310, Anchorage, AK 99508; Phone: (907) 269-0851, Alaska Relay 7-1-1, or 1 (800) 676-3777; Fax: (907) 269-0847.
About This Project
AMHS’s vision is to provide safe, reliable, and efficient transportation of people, goods and vehicles among Alaska communities, Canada and the Lower 48, while providing opportunities to develop and maintain a reasonable standard of living and high quality of life, including social, education, and health needs. To achieve this vision, AMHS requires safe, efficient, and well-maintained ferry infrastructure.
In 2018, AMHS commissioned the construction of two new Alaska Class Ferries to replace the current fleet of Aurora Class Ferry vessels. The new Alaska Class Ferries (Motor Vessel [MV] Hubbard and MV Tazlina) are longer, wider, deeper, and heavier than the older Aurora Class Ferry vessels (MV LeConte and MV Aurora). Chenega, Cordova, and Tatitlek’s existing ferry terminals require improvements and modifications in order to accommodate Alaska Class Ferry service.
All three communities are not on Alaska’s road system. Without improvements, these communities would lose their only surface transportation connection to the rest of the world.
In 2022, the Prince William Sound Economic Development District (PWSEDD) submitted a grant request to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) and was awarded $28.2 million to upgrade and modify three ferry docks and terminals in Chenega, Cordova, and Tatitlek to accommodate Alaska Class Ferries.
Ferry Terminal Improvements
In 2024, DOT&PF, under the direction of MARAD, launched a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to prepare an EA for the purposes of updating and rebuilding its ferry terminal dock facilities in the Prince William Sound communities of Chenega, Cordova, and Tatitlek (the Project).
Improvements to each of the ferry terminals include:
A new side-loading ferry terminal facility in Chenega Bay (Chenega), including a pile-supported approach, vehicle transfer bridge, mechanical support system for the seaward end of the bridge, and three mooring dolphins.
Modifying the existing stern- and side-berth ferry terminal facility in Cordova.
A retrofit to the existing end-loading ferry terminal facility in Tatitlek to replace the existing tidal ramp facility, including a new vehicle transfer bridge, mechanical support system for the seaward end of the bridge, and two dolphins.
The proposed Project also includes pile installation and removal as well as power and lighting upgrades at all three communities.
Purpose and Need
PWS Ferry Terminal EA Purpose
The Project would make improvements to the Chenega, Cordova, and Tatitlek ferry terminals to accommodate the new Alaska Class Ferry berthing and home port needs to support continued reliable AMHS ferry service into the future.
Need for the Project
The existing Chenega and Tatitlek ferry terminal facilities are fixed platform docks that only accommodate vessels with attached vehicle ramps, which are aging out of service. The Alaska Class Ferries require installation of a vehicle transfer system at the facilities to operate at these terminals.
The existing Cordova ferry terminal facility includes side and stern berths for AMHS ferry vessels. The terminal would require modification to the mooring dolphins to better accommodate the newly built Alaska Class Ferry vessel’s (MV Hubbard) mooring line system.
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No Action Alternative
A No Action alternative is required as a baseline for comparison and helps evaluate the extent of potential project impacts. Under the No Action Alternative, no changes or improvements would occur to the existing Chenega, Cordova, or Tatitlek ferry terminals.
Why this is important:
Under a No Action Alternative, none of the three facilities would meet the requirements for the new Alaska Class Ferry vessels. After the Aurora Class Ferry vessels are retired, the three terminals would no longer receive reliable ferry service, and the communities would lose their primary transportation source for goods, services, economic opportunities, and access to urban necessities such as medical care. Alternative transportation methods would be more costly and less reliable.
For more information on the No-Action Alternative, see Section 2.2.
Proposed Action - Chenega
The Chenega dock and tidal ramps were originally constructed in 1995 to provide a terminal for the MV Bartlett. The MV Bartlett was decommissioned and sold in 2003, and Chenega is currently serviced by Aurora Class Ferry vessels.
The Proposed Action at the Chenega ferry terminal would:
- Install piles to support an approach trestle, shoreward vehicle transfer bridge abutment, two lift towers with a mechanical support system or float to support the seaward end of the bridge, and three mooring dolphins.
- Install 30 temporary steel-pipe piles to support pile installation during construction.
- Modify the existing fendering system on the existing dock face.
- Install an on-site generator and generator building to power the bridge mechanical lift system and apron hydraulics, and new pedestrian/vehicle lighting along the new bridge.
- Install solar-powered marker lights on the new dolphins to aid with vessel approach and mooring operations.
Pile installation would be conducted using both a vibratory and impact hammer as well as down-the-hole (DTH) pile installation methods.
Proposed Action - Cordova
Cordova’s original facility was built in 1968 and has been improved and expanded over the years. The current stern berth has a shallow-water approach that occasionally causes landing issues for larger Alaska Class Ferry vessels. The MV Aurora uses the side birth and is the only vessel currently able to serve Cordova.
The Proposed Action at the Cordova ferry terminal would:
- Remove five, three-pile, floating fender dolphins; two, four-pile, fixed fender dolphins; and one, two-pile, catwalk support dolphin. These would be replaced with three new, four-pile, fixed fender dolphins and five, five-pile, floating fender dolphins.
- Modify the catwalk for dolphin access.
- Modify pedestrian walkways and elevated steel platforms.
- Upgrade electrical and power systems.
- Replace portions of the fuel lines.
- Replace sewer and potable water lines on the transfer bridge.
- Replace the sewer holding tank float system.
- Replace the stern berth potable water line.
- Replace the existing 4,000-gallon sewer-holding tank with a 10,000-gallon one. Replace all associated lines.
- Replace the existing shore power conductors with increased capacity conductors to accommodate Alaska Class Ferry power demands.
Pile installation would be conducted using both a vibratory and impact hammer, and pile removal would use a vibratory hammer.
Proposed Action - Tatitlek
The Tatitlek ferry terminal is a multipurpose dock structure that was originally constructed in 1995 to accommodate the MV Bartlett, which was decommissioned and sold in 2003. The current dock at Tatitlek only supports stern berthing from Aurora Class Ferry vessels.
The Proposed Action at the Tatitlek ferry terminal would:
- Remove the existing dolphin, catwalk, and tide ramp structures.
- Install a shoreward vehicle transfer bridge abutment.
- Install two lift towers and bridge mechanical support system for the seaward end of the bridge.
- Install catwalks to each lift tower.
- Upgrade fendering system on the existing dock face.
- Install two mooring dolphins.
- Install an on-site generator and generator building to power the bridge mechanical lift system, apron hydraulics, and new pedestrian/vehicle lighting along the new bridge.
- Install solar-powered marker lights on the new dolphins and existing dock face to aid with vessel approach and mooring operations.
- Install up to 20 temporary steel-pipe piles to support pile installation during construction.
Pile installation would be conducted using both a vibratory and impact hammer as well as DTH pile installation methods. Pile removal would be conducted using a vibratory hammer.
Affected Environment
This EA looked at 23 different types of resources across physical, natural, and human environments in each of the three communities that would be impacted by the Proposed Action.
Impacts could be temporary (construction-related), permanent (operation-related), or increase over time (cumulative), as well as adverse or beneficial.
General Findings:
- Socioeconomic, Public Health and Safety, and Marine Traffic and Navigation impacts of the proposed action are primarily substantial and beneficial. Larger Alaska Class Ferry vessels can accommodate more passengers and vehicles, allowing for continued service from the newer fleet of Alaska Class Ferry vessels, ensuring continued access for communities with more reliable service, and potentially increasing tourism and economic development within the region.
- Impacts for other resources are primarily minor or temporary, with no anticipated long-term adverse effects.
- Potential cumulative impacts would be localized to areas with already active ferry terminals.
For more information on the Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences, see Chapter 3.
Mitigation Measures
Potential adverse impacts would occur primarily during construction and are expected to be temporary. DOT&PF will avoid impact hammer installation methods for the Chenega Ferry Terminal project from March through the beginning of June to avoid impacts to salmon fry released from the Armin F. Koernig in Sawmill Bay. DOT&PF seeks to avoid or minimize impacts by:
- Prioritizing the use of a vibratory hammer to reduce the level of underwater noise and potential impacts on fish and hatchery operations, as well as marine mammals.
- Where impact hammers are required, piles would be driven as deep as possible with a vibratory hammer first then be driven into their final position with an impact hammer.
- Driving piles when the current is reduced in areas of strong current to minimize the number of fish exposed to adverse levels of underwater sound.
- Removing piles completely rather than cutting them off at the mudline.
- Employing Protected Species Observers to monitor for protected marine mammal species during in-water construction.
- Avoiding placing fill material into wetlands.
- Minimizing the number of piles that would be placed within Waters of the United States.
- Removing vegetation only within areas where vegetation has been previously removed or disturbed.
- Using light transmitting decking to prevent submerged aquatic vegetation loss and bed fragmentation due to lighting.
- Disposing of creosote-treated timber piles and other construction debris in an approved upland location to prevent reuse in the marine environment.
Are there other mitigations DOT&PF should consider to reduce construction impacts?
What to Expect During Construction
Construction is anticipated to occur in Cordova beginning late fall of 2026 and the spring through fall of 2027. Chenega and Tatitlek construction is planned to occur in fall 2027 through summer of 2028. AMHS schedules would see short-term delays during construction, and traffic patterns may change during terminal construction in each community.
Alternative service may be available during the construction period by private charter vessel. Airplane service, commercial freight, recreational boating, and commercial fishing traffic would continue within the terminal areas, and access to adjacent harbors and docks would remain available during construction.
The construction schedule and any anticipated disruptions to ferry service would be publicized in advance.
Are there community events or other needs DOT&PF should be aware of as it develops its construction schedule?
Agency and Public Involvement
DOT&PF launched the project with a 30-day scoping period in September 2024, and agencies have been involved throughout the planning process to help identify possible impacts, issues, and opportunities to be studied in the EA. Scoping letters were also sent to Tribes and Native corporations in September 2024, while Section 106 initiation letters were sent to Tribes, agencies, and organizations in October 2024.
Schedule
The EA process informs project development by determining the significance of potential environmental effects of a proposed federal action, resulting in either a determination to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) or a finding of no significant impact (FONSI).
DOT&PF will also need to obtain federal, state, and local permits prior to construction.
If approved, construction would begin in 2027.
Contact Us & More Information
Thank you for visiting our Online Open House, which is live from Monday, October 27 – Tuesday, November 11, 2025. It will be archived on the project website for later reference.
While comments are welcome at any time, the public comment period on the draft EA is from Monday, October 27 – Tuesday, November 11, 2025. You may use the comment form below, or email the project team.