[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6258825,"mediaKeyId","3145484-6078f4818531e08a8c7b63b09ba56d7e","parentId",3145484,"title","Borough to adopt updated FEMA flood maps after lidar remapping; public open houses set for June","audioSeconds",244,"startMs",4284000,"endMs",4528000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3145484-6078f4818531e08a8c7b63b09ba56d7e&start=4284&end=4528","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3145484-6078f4818531e08a8c7b63b09ba56d7e/thumbnail_4284000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6258825/Alaska/Borough-to-adopt-updated-FEMA-flood-maps-after-lidar-remapping-public-open-houses-set-for-June","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258825-102099401a2244824599155cdd75f33d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530690&Signature=Qdpy69JURzjefh7HkHYit~IvOQ~fbhunBtscQlpuV3OKs664z6VM-kMUi6qS6v1MttYTQmuC5V7Sza0F3KALkve8o-cSPcY3kUmfV0Hm6R6EadzRI~aDfGVp4LuRnuV7UHeCYDcxsNw-v58nHUNr6GzjHzZMNlR9L~8Xkp~D4mSyJRiu1Zlq8hCFhOqTCTlHvNTr~rUVO-gy6E1tm~l4Z2-~-yueq5yq-LX6KpCxwEQfTr4RMA4Og8KDQvOgRAEBXmW5o7uCtkd8EoxpFl5xeIyKfeqKw8GOB2XbuVYZJBFQ4ySV0S-mzgvMsDL-vsii67ch2v7TaVi6nHImM6cPMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fairbanks North Star Borough","date","2025-04-24T00:00:00Z","article","Adam Pruitt, the borough’s floodplain administrator, told the Chena Riverfront Commission on April 23 that the community is in the final stages of adopting FEMA’s updated flood insurance rate maps, which are based on high‑resolution lidar elevation data.

Pruitt said the remapping effort has been underway for roughly a decade and uses modern lidar data to more accurately model flood extents. The updated maps remove a substantial number of structures and parcels from high‑risk designations but add others; the most notable increases are in the Moose Creek area where hundreds of structures will newly fall inside mapped high‑flood‑risk zones.

“These maps are extremely accurate now because of that laser elevation data,” Pruitt said, summarizing the improvements that lidar brings to flood modeling.

Pruitt said FEMA’s process requires public outreach and an appeal window. The borough will hold public open houses in June; affected property owners will receive mailed notices. After the public comment and appeal period and FEMA review, the borough will have six months to formally adopt the maps to remain compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Commissioners asked about the lidar vintage; Pruitt said the federal USGS grant that produced the lidar was conducted around 2017. Commissioners also asked whether Perkins Landing and other frequently flooded local roads would be differently depicted; Pruitt said many local nuances are now shown more accurately because elevation data is much more precise than prior maps.

Pruitt urged commissioners and residents to attend the June open houses to learn how the maps affect parcels and to file appeals if property owners believe an error exists. He said the overall result is a net benefit to many homeowners and developers because thousands of structures will be removed from high‑risk designations, reducing regulatory hurdles and insurance costs for those owners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fairbanks North Star Borough Regular Assembly Meeting - April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Adam Pruitt, the borough’s floodplain administrator, told the Chena Riverfront Commission on April 23 that FEMA’s updated flood maps—based on lidar—will change which properties are mapped as high‑risk and that public open houses are scheduled for June.","taxTitle","Fairbanks North Star (Borough), Alaska","taxId",5063,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258830,"DOT, Michael Baker present preliminary Pioneer Park boat‑launch and riverbank concepts; commissioners urge riparian approach",986,5692000,6678000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3145484-6078f4818531e08a8c7b63b09ba56d7e&start=5692&end=6678","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3145484-6078f4818531e08a8c7b63b09ba56d7e/thumbnail_5692000.jpg","/articles/6258830/Alaska/DOT-Michael-Baker-present-preliminary-Pioneer-Park-boatlaunch-and-riverbank-concepts-commissioners-urge-riparian-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258830-eb480dc4ecd4d29f6231c7566e42472e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530690&Signature=WS8xBhrac4RFAbplqcNTdlnuvVPgH0LS-VRMjOlT2vSETeVTV1V443s31H6ImV5VuQS6~oYEjblsGB5nXXXG9BE-rv-b1Iw4EsQfjvzugN~naHkOyfXg1QqiEHw3EO3fTta7yKRh4RwA4Bc0GhpFzEdHoOPvlEE0lDfPwNm41-Pqne1xMrAqFsvRHctb-qlJy1X-3h0Ru0Qt1uEZ0Kjt1sK0tDw9gJIl9dJED4TJaJRdQH8IBYcAv3F6R7kuRLHd4KJdXsfOlQH2dZ~TNqn7dSrmzSI40WJElCPKtvbyABqlcZLMJrPquI5X77YwJWZKtEsEJ6tfbV8wQ77-Nd-YFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Travis Donovan of Michael Baker International presented preliminary design concepts to the Chena Riverfront Commission on April 23 for a Pioneer Park project that would add a pedestrian path, a new parking lot and riverbank improvements including boat‑launch access.

The project’s three components are a pedestrian connection from Airport Way to the riverwalk, a reconfigured parking lot and associated “plug‑ins,” and riverbank work to improve public access near the current informal boat‑launch area. Donovan said designers prepared two general concepts: one that would cut a small launch channel to encourage flow and self‑cleaning, and a second without the channel focused on creating flatter, more usable riverbank terraces.

“We’re trying to create some more flat usable space up close to the river,” Donovan said, describing ramps and drop‑off zones for non‑motorized craft and potential reconfiguration of an existing pavilion.

Designers told the commission the hydraulics for the proposed channel concept are not yet proven: early analysis indicates the channel would not generate sufficient velocity to remain self‑cleaning and therefore may not prevent silt accumulation. Commissioners and public commenters urged the design team to consider riparian‑zone solutions rather than heavy rock revetment. One commissioner said a riparian approach could work better with the known siltation patterns and would better preserve the park’s natural character.

Commission staff member Kellen placed the project in the broader context of the 2021 Pioneer Park Master Plan and said the parking work aligns with a long‑range vision that could support a future multipurpose facility. The project is principally funded with federal highway funds through FAST planning and DOT; Kellen said roughly 91 percent of the project cost is expected to be covered by those federal dollars.

Commissioners and staff discussed access: Canoe Alaska and other non‑motorized users indicated the current riverbank is difficult but used; Canoe Alaska suggested an upstream bank on railroad property might provide a better launch area, though that land may be out of scope. Designers said one ramp could be made ADA‑accessible while another, steeper ramp would suit typical canoe/kayak use.

Designers said an open house will be scheduled later this summer and that the project is still in preliminary design. Commissioners pressed for alternatives to riprap and asked staff to ensure connectivity to other park features; staff confirmed the project will return for additional review and public outreach before final design and construction.","Michael Baker International and DOT presented two preliminary concepts for a Pioneer Park boat launch, parking and riverbank improvements. Designers showed options with and without a proposed cleaning channel; commissioners urged alternatives to rock revetment and noted Canoe Alaska’s concerns about the site’s suitability for launches.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258835,"DEC outlines contaminated sites near Chena River, highlights PFAS at Fairbanks Airport training area",2638,3058000,5696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3145484-6078f4818531e08a8c7b63b09ba56d7e&start=3058&end=5696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3145484-6078f4818531e08a8c7b63b09ba56d7e/thumbnail_3058000.jpg","/articles/6258835/Alaska/DEC-outlines-contaminated-sites-near-Chena-River-highlights-PFAS-at-Fairbanks-Airport-training-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258835-c538a0218848e8a519b198a190a310e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530690&Signature=mbE9091giu6H3oz9duZjqPYkZPUFyPwijIoF12Fni9SmU0-bbxVftJOB488kYKwW5pTI9SQzPDZ5Ns2qoab-tSxHaZqNvAVdxZEZiaFP5Vc-tQW3H7vloqam-U06pQk9TCKTgavYn7xmaUnzi9Lg~hbDKpyCDNfpaLbWLQwMPwkEIw8nK~fWRkcappHnhL6Eq-xBu~QxYwjTfmfkJl5KWZGVyEsP1Bdlwt6R4fuCKBheeLWBQfvDy8M~VJKpYVDpyDnqzHwwnymBP3lqcOkz5dTftcxRKtK2MKOtkM457NUUL~keI2sYhxT5hNT0tEgXW55cY07H1GUzgStJVJJGNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robert Burgess, a representative of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Contaminated Sites Program, told the Chena Riverfront Commission on April 23 that DEC maintains a public web map showing active and closed contaminated sites along the Chena River and its tributaries.

The map shows clustered groundwater plumes near Fort Wainwright, historic dry‑cleaning solvent plumes downtown, a sulfolane plume from the North Pole refinery and isolated PFAS detections around the Fairbanks Airport training area and Peggar Lake. Burgess said the map helps users identify active sites, mapped groundwater plumes and documents attached to each site.

“PFAS...it’s very difficult to break down PFAS. It’s just a hard bond to break,” Burgess said, explaining why PFAS persists in soil and water and why aqueous film‑forming foams (AFFF) used historically at airports and training pits are a common statewide source.

Burgess described the DEC site classification symbols used on the web map: diamonds for active sites, yellow squares for cleanup complete sites and red stars for sites that are cleanup complete but closed with institutional controls. He said institutional controls often take the form of an environmental covenant recorded under the Universal Environmental Covenants Act (UECA) to limit exposure and spell out landowner responsibilities.

Commissioners asked about the degree to which plumes reach the Chena River and whether aquatic life is affected. Burgess said DEC and responsible parties use groundwater monitoring, private water‑well sampling and pore‑water or sediment sampling to assess migration to surface water. He said private wells affected by the Fairbanks Airport PFAS plume were offered hookups to Golden Heart Utilities and that, in most cases, DEC did not find drinking‑water action‑level exceedances except for one private well on Tall Spruce Road that did exceed the action level.

DEC staff noted that pore‑water sampling methods vary—cores can be squeezed, or passive samplers can be left in sediments—and that PFAS pore‑water methods are still evolving. Burgess pointed commissioners to dec.alaska.gov and DEC’s contaminated sites web map for documents and reports and offered to return with more detailed, site‑specific information.

Burgess also said federal and industry funding has supported recent work at the Fairbanks Airport: the FAA provided a matching grant for remediation completed the previous summer that included removal of training‑pit water and use of a destructive PFAS treatment technology (hydrothermal alkaline liquid treatment, HALT). He encouraged commissioners to contact DEC with follow‑up questions at robert.burgess@alaska.gov.

The commission did not take formal action on DEC materials at the April 23 meeting; Burgess said he could return with targeted analyses or additional documentation if the commission requested it.","Robert Burgess of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation walked the Chena Riverfront Commission through DEC’s contaminated‑sites web map, identified clustered groundwater plumes near Fort Wainwright and downtown Fairbanks, and described PFAS and remediation work at the Fairbanks Airport fire‑training area.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258822,"Chena Riverfront Commission approves consent agenda and minutes 7‑0",82,1578000,1660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3145484-6078f4818531e08a8c7b63b09ba56d7e&start=1578&end=1660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3145484-6078f4818531e08a8c7b63b09ba56d7e/thumbnail_1578000.jpg","/articles/6258822/Alaska/Chena-Riverfront-Commission-approves-consent-agenda-and-minutes-70","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258822-45416289c359fffcee7f8fd8f8a96454/orig.mp4?Expires=1770530690&Signature=eDQlc~SXGFAIt0hP9VkMIj88oOzeDtUx3M1y4TKFtx7MnPug-KqBTETf0woiuZ7jM6zpqTs-uKG1nPJats572b6zwd33pJ3aheBswMJJIwApdKnf2Q~2ejNxS3D7x0KbGVuPGX9s9qVhEbDVpIgqPdR4VsohmKGzp4PaD8hff1DWbLjOhEK1rFKRFZ8MjznEkw3bgDf2DxxB9cDlrDqpxuZsKaIo22BCkUkRKNA~dhSM7-2VvBTlxSCg2uLweIOqYI51Y6jELaRLZyNWfVdUzgfgSZWGG3FAgDXScN8MkEl3wUdsuET0bXLRFB-O4Z3H2GAAHDjaiRC9BzfpUrbMww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chena Riverfront Commission approved its agenda and consent agenda at the April 23 meeting. The consent agenda included the January 22, 2025 meeting minutes.

A commissioner moved to approve the consent agenda; Julie Jones seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried 7‑0 with recorded affirmatives from the commissioners listed on the roll call.

No substantive debate occurred; the commission moved to the reports section following the vote.","The commission approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda (including January 22, 2025 minutes) by voice/roll call, 7‑0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Borough to adopt updated FEMA flood maps after lidar remapping; public open houses set for June

DOT, Michael Baker present preliminary Pioneer Park boat‑launch and riverbank concepts; commissioners urge riparian approach

DEC outlines contaminated sites near Chena River, highlights PFAS at Fairbanks Airport training area

Chena Riverfront Commission approves consent agenda and minutes 7‑0