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Assembly backs engineering work and grant application for South Harbor finger-float replacements
Summary
The assembly authorized submission of a $617,000 state grant application and approved a design/permitting fee proposal to replace aging finger floats in South Harbor; members discussed permitting pathways and the potential to repurpose existing floats.
The Petersburg Borough Assembly on July 21 authorized staff to submit a State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities grant application for $617,000 to replace finger floats in the South Harbor sea-float and approved an engineering and permitting fee proposal to advance design work.
Harbor Master Wallen summarized the local history of the state harbor-maintenance program and said the harbor has used the grant program previously. The assembly discussed the grant process and the program’s competitive ranking — applications are ranked each year and funding is subject to legislative appropriation — and staff noted that the requested finger-float work will likely proceed in phases.
The assembly approved engaging P&D/PND engineering for design and permitting. Assembly members asked about marine-mammal permitting and alternatives recently enabled by the Alaska Slope/GRAMA process. Assistant public-works staff explained that the new permitting approach can reduce cost and time compared with an incidental harassment authorization but “does not come without risk to the owner,” and that exclusion zones and temporary pauses in pile-driving remain permit requirements.
Assembly members also discussed the possibility of repurposing replaced floats for lower-demand locations; the mayor and staff said the borough would welcome community groups taking decommissioned floats to limit demolition costs.
Why it matters: South Harbor’s aging finger floats (some originally repurposed in the 1970s and 1980s) support berthing and commercial activity; replacement is a multi-year capital work that requires engineering design, environmental permitting and state funding. The engineering approval and grant-submission resolution are preparatory steps; the grant must be awarded and permits obtained before in-water construction can proceed.
Next steps: Harbors staff will proceed with engineering design and required permit applications. If the state awards the grant, the borough will use the engineering package for procurement and construction scheduling.
