Hatcher Pass studies approved

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly on Tuesday approved more than $82,000 for geological studies at Hatcher Pass, although some members of the assembly objected to what they saw as small steps toward removing any incentives for private involvement.

"Before we have an AIDEA (Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority) proposal, it seems we're incrementally building . . .," assembly member Talis Colberg said at the meeting.

The AIDEA study Colberg mentioned will look at the financial feasibility of the study, as well as lining out how to market the project and, according to assistant borough manager David Germer, the project will "help find the optimum project configuration and optimum financial structure . . . and optimum operating structure that is most financially feasible" for the project. Up to $100,000 is authorized to be spent on the project.

The geological studies will test the soils makeup of the area proposed for construction of a working septic system and for the foundation of the ski lodge.

Initial soils tests were performed at the site in 1999, indicating the organic materials, subsurface materials and potential water seeps on the property.

The studies that will be conducted by Dowl Engineers, the winning bidder for the project, will track area water tables, impervious layers in the subsurface and percolation rates. Monitoring tubes will be installed to track seasonal high water levels. Additional information will be gathered at the ski site to show potential foundation strength and sliding resistance for buildings that may be constructed on the ski lift site. Preliminary soils testing is also slated for the village site.

At the meeting, Duffy responded to Colberg's concerns that the borough was moving too quickly on the project.

"I understand that this may be premature," Duffy said. "On the other hand, we believe that the soils work that was done by Hatcher Pass Development Corp. raises some concerns."

Assembly member Jim Colver said the knowledge gained by the geological studies could prove key in attracting a private developer.

"It's well-known that there's a high water table in that area," Colver said.

A high water table does not mix well with a working septic system, Colver explained, and the refuse may have to be stored in tanks and trucked down the mountain if a septic system is not feasible.

The Castle Mountain fault, which was responsible for the rock slide that closed Hatcher Pass Road when DOT was blasting to move a small amount of rock, also runs through the borough property.

Part of Dowl's work on the job, borough public works director Jim Swing said, will be to research the fault's location and note how it may affect the property.

Swing said the fault is located more in the area slated for village or residential development than in the area that will house the lodge and the ski area.

The information gained, Duffy said, would work hand in hand with a project viability study AIDEA is conducting.

"How the design and construction would have to be done regarding soils would feed into the AIDEA study," Duffy said, "so the AIDEA model would have information regarding what it is going to cost the private sector to build this."

"Not only do [the contractors] have the information, but we're better able to evaluate RFPs (requests for proposals)," assembly member Jody Simpson added.

And according to Swing, the study will not be the last one performed at the site.

"It's not like we're doing the final investigation," Swing said. "We just want to do enough investigation to show a potential developer what's there . . . and give them enough information to see if it's even possible."

Kelly Lankford Ladere said she felt the assembly should slow down and look for other ways to get the same information at little or no charge.

"I don't know how the rest of the assembly feels on this but I get the sense of a rush," Ladere said. "I feel that some of the scope of services could be provided to us by governmental agencies."

Swing said the detailed information the borough was requesting simply was not available from other governmental agencies.

Two to four percolation tests will be done in the proposed lodge area, Swing said, and soils information borings will be done as deep as 60 feet. "Actually . . . there is no one else that could determine this information because it's never been done," Swing said.