State takes comment on North Slope seismic survey and three airport lease extensions

Two state agencies opened public comment Wednesday on four proposed uses of state land: a winter seismic survey on the North Slope and lease extensions for businesses at three airports. Comments on all four are due Dec. 4.

The biggest is a 3D seismic survey across about 205 square miles near Nuiqsut. SAExploration, working with joint venture partner Kuukpik Corp., the village corporation for Nuiqsut, is seeking a permit from the Department of Natural Resources to map the ground within the Pikka oil unit, including the area where Santos has proposed its next project, Quokka.

Crews would start in early January, once the tundra is frozen enough to travel on, and work into spring, according to the application. Twelve tracked vibrator trucks would send energy into the ground, and lighter machines would work narrow riverbeds and lakes. Workers on foot would lay out 40,000 wireless recorders to catch the echoes. The area crosses state, private and Kuukpik land. The state permit would cover only the state land. SAExploration says it would meet with the Native Village of Nuiqsut before the season starts.

The other three notices come from the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, which proposes to extend leases for five years at state airports without taking competing bids, as state law allows.

• At Girdwood Airport, a leaseholder would keep about 24,000 square feet for a hangar used for private and commercial flying, including an air taxi, plus aircraft repair, parts sales, storage and tie-down rentals, for about $2,360 a year.

• At Birchwood Airport, two leaseholders would keep about 16,000 square feet for a hangar where they store and maintain their own planes and do commercial aircraft maintenance, for about $2,100 a year.

• At Dillingham Airport, Dillingham Freight and Fuel would keep about 67,500 square feet for air cargo, freight and mail storage, offices, parking for fuel trucks, and fuel storage and sales, for about $14,650 a year.

The rents work out to roughly 10 to 22 cents per square foot a year.