NOTICE OF INTENT: To Revise the Zone A Special Flood Hazard Area associated with Cottonwood Creek in the vicinity of Edlund Road and South Weeping Birch Street

NOTICE OF INTENT: To Revise the Zone A Special Flood Hazard Area associated with Cottonwood Creek in the vicinity of Edlund Road and South Weeping Birch Street

Project: Knik-Goose Bay Road Reconstruction: Phase 1

Project No.: Z524640000/0525016

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has assumed the responsibilities of the Federal Highway Administration under 23 U.S.C. 327 and on behalf of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB), is hereby notifying affected property owners of the intent to revise the Zone A Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) associated with Cottonwood Creek in the vicinity of Edlund Road and South Weeping Birch Street.

The recent (phase 1) reconstruction of Knik-Goose Bay Road included the construction of a new roadway and bridge crossing Cottonwood Creek, which has since been named South Weeping Birch Street. Construction of the new road & bridge required placement of fill & impervious materials within the Zone A SFHA surrounding Cottonwood Creek. Zone A SFHA’s are defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as “areas of the 100-year flood; base flood elevation and flood hazard factors are not determined”. However, the Zone A SFHA associated with the affected segment of Cottonwood Creek does have FEMA approved flood elevations on the applicable Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM: 02170C8090F).

In accordance with FEMA and MSB requirements, a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) has been prepared which includes hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and expected inundation maps of Cottonwood Creek before and after construction of the newly built road & bridge. The LOMR indicates construction of Edlund Road and South Weeping Birch Street each cause a rise in the water surface elevation of the Zone A SFHA.

A detailed analysis and maps of the revised SFHA are available for review at the following website: https://dot.alaska.gov/creg/kgb_cv/links-docs.shtml

Following completion of a public comment period, the MSB will submit the LOMR to FEMA. FEMA may use the LOMR to update the FIRM for the affected segment of Cottonwood Creek to reflect the rise in surface water elevations associated with the Zone A SFHA within the area of revision.

Written comments on the LOMR will be accepted for a period of 30 days, concluding February 28, 2026. Comments should be sent to Heidi Zimmer or Taunnie Boothby, as appropriate.

Heidi Zimmer, Regional Environmental Manager
DOT&PF Preliminary Design & Environmental
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900
heidi.zimmer@alaska.gov

Taunnie Boothby, Floodplain Administrator
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Planning Department
350 E. Dahlia Ave
Palmer, AK 99645
taunnie.boothby@matsugov.us

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 FHWA and DOT&PF.

It is the policy of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that no person shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration and State of Alaska Funds.

The DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with a hearing impairment can contact DOT&PF at our Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (907) 269-0473.

Date: Jan. 28, 2026