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Assemblymember asks for review of air‑quality funds used for Plaque Road project near Chena Lakes
Summary
During assembly comments, Assemblymember Wilson raised constituent concerns that federal air‑quality mitigation funds used for a Plaque Road paving project near Chena Lakes may not substantially reduce particulate pollution; staff and other members said paving can count as dust mitigation and advised review through DOT and FAST Planning records.
Assemblymember Wilson raised a constituent concern during the March 6 meeting about the use of air‑quality mitigation funds for a Plaque Road paving project tied to recreational access at Chena Lakes. "I'm really concerned because it seems like it's not really gonna take that much out of the air shed," Wilson said, summarizing comments she had received from multiple residents.
Wilson asked whether the borough or FAST Planning could review prior projects funded from the same air‑quality funding stream to ensure the money was spent on measures that meaningfully improve air quality. A response through the chair clarified that, at the federal level, dust mitigation can qualify as an air‑quality improvement and that paving a road is a recognized dust‑mitigation measure.
Another assembly member indicated that the appropriate route for detailed expenditure records and oversight would be through the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) and suggested a public records request (FOIA) to obtain DOT documentation; FAST Planning may also have records but DOT is the primary steward for many such funds. Wilson said many constituents had similar concerns and requested the record be checked.
No formal motion or direction was recorded in the transcript; the exchange was part of assemblymember comments and identified next steps informally as pursuing documentation from DOT/FAST Planning and following up with constituents.
