JUNEAU SECOND CHANNEL CROSSING WATERWAY USER SURVEY RESULTS

JUNEAU SECOND CHANNEL CROSSING WATERWAY USER SURVEY RESULTS PREPARED FOR: HDR Alaska, Inc. PREPARED BY: Juneau Anchorage December 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary...1 Introduction and Methodology...2 Boat Owner Survey Findings...3 Commercial Gillnetter Survey Findings...8 Commercial Troller Survey Findings...13 Survey Instruments...18

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In the fall of 2003, HDR Alaska, Inc. contracted with the McDowell Group to conduct a survey of Gastineau Channel waterway users for the Juneau Second Channel Crossing Project, which is being conducted for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Three telephone surveys were conducted: one of stall renters (202), one of commercial gillnetters (38), and one of commercial trollers (26). The surveys determine waterway users frequency of travel through the Mendenhall Bar and their preferences for access, as well as their vessel specifications. Following are key findings from the survey. About two-thirds of respondents in all three user groups report transiting the Mendenhall Bar at least once in the past 12 months. Waterway users report an average number of between 3 and 4 trips across the Mendenhall bar in the past year. Number of Times Crossing Mendenhall Bar in Past 12 Months User Group Crossed Bar Stall renters 66% 3.3 times 2.0 times Commercial gillnetters 68% 3.4 times 3.0 times Commercial trollers 65% 3.7 times 2.0 times Most waterway users predict relatively low levels of impacts resulting from temporary closure of the Mendenhall Bar. Just under two-thirds (63%) of stall renters predict no impact at all. Only 7 percent predict severe impact. Commercial gillnetters anticipate slightly higher impacts than other user groups, with 18 percent predicting an impact level of 3, compared to 7 percent of stall renters and 4 percent of commercial trollers. Impact of Temporary Closure of the Mendenhall Bar to Boat Traffic on User 1 2 3 4 5 User Group No Impact Severe Impact Stall renters 63% 16% 7% 4% 7% Commercial gillnetters 58 21 18 3 0 Commercial trollers 73 23 4 0 0 Waterway users recommend an average vertical clearance ranging from 39 to 48 feet and an average horizontal clearance of 61 to 76 feet. Recommended Clearance for Potential Bridge VERTICAL CLEARANCE HORIZONTAL CLEARANCE User Group Stall renters 39 feet 35 feet 76 feet 60 feet Commercial gillnetters 48 feet 45 feet 61 feet 50 feet Commercial trollers 47 feet 50 feet 65 feet 50 feet Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 1

INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY As part of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Juneau Second Channel Crossing project, McDowell Group was retained as a subconsultant to HDR Alaska, Inc. to conduct surveys with Gastineau Channel waterway users. Critical to the project is an understanding of current Channel users, including frequency of waterway use, opinions regarding ease of waterway travel and navigational access, and vessel dimensions. A total of 266 randomly selected waterway users were surveyed by telephone in September 2003. Waterway users were divided into three categories: 1) stall renters, 2) commercial gillnetters, and 3) commercial trollers. Lists from various sources were used to select random samples. Specifically, Juneau stall renters were randomly selected from the City and Borough of Juneau Harbormaster s list of permanent stall renters. (Stall renters using private marinas were not part of the sample.) Juneau, Haines, and Skagway gillnetters were randomly selected from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries Entry Commissions (CFEC) S03A permit list. Juneau commercial trollers were also selected using the CFEC s list of S15B permitted fishermen. In total, 202 stall renters, 38 commercial gillnetters, and 26 commercial trollers were surveyed. In all three groups, survey content was limited to discussion of the geographic region known as the Mendenhall Bar, a nine-mile stretch of the Gastineau Channel between Salmon Creek and the Mendenhall Peninsula/Fritz Cove Area. Stall renters, commercial gillnetters, and commercial trollers were queried about their vessel dimensions, vessel purpose, frequency of travel across the Mendenhall Bar, importance of maintaining navigational access to the Mendenhall Bar, and recommendations for minimum vertical and horizontal Second Crossing clearances. The stall renters sample (202) has a maximum margin of error of ±7.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. For the commercial gillnetters sample (38), the margin of error increases to approximately ±15 percent. The commercial trollers sample (26) has a maximum margin of error of ±17 percent. This report presents the results of each survey in the following order: stall renters, commercial gillnetters, and commercial trollers. A copy of each survey instrument is provided at the end of the report. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 2

STALL RENTERS SURVEY FINDINGS What is the primary purpose for your boat? Three-quarters of Juneau stall renters say the primary purpose for their boat is recreation, pleasure, or sport fishing/hunting (75 percent). One-quarter of stall renters report their vessel is primarily used for commercial troll, gillnet, long-line, or other commercial fishing activities (26 percent). Only a small minority suggest their boat is used for charter activities (4 percent) or as their home (2 percent). Table 1. Vessel Primary Purpose Recreation, pleasure, sport hunting/fishing 75 Commercial troll fishing 9 Commercial gillnet fishing 8 Commercial long-line fishing 6 Commercial seine fishing 1 Other commercial fishing 2 Charter fishing 2 Charter tours 2 Residence 2 Other 3 Refused/Don t know 0 Note: Multiple responses allowed. Have you ever taken your boat across the Mendenhall Bar? If not, why not? Slightly less than two-thirds of Juneau stall renters (63 percent) have taken their boat across the Mendenhall Bar. The respondents who have never transited the Mendenhall Bar cited its shallowness as the number one reason (52 percent). A related response was the Mendenhall Bar is unsafe or dangerous (36 percent). One in five said they have no need to transit the Mendenhall Bar (19 percent). Table 2. Mendenhall Bar Travel Yes 63 No 36 Too shallow 52 Unsafe/too dangerous 36 No need 19 Other 5 Don t know 3 Note: Multiple responses allowed. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 3

During the past 12 months, how many times did you cross the Mendenhall Bar? One-third of stall renters that have crossed the Bar in the past report zero trips transiting the Mendenhall Bar in the past 12 months, while another 29 percent made only 1 or 2 trips. One-fifth of stall renters (20 percent) report 6 or more crossings. The average number of times transiting the Mendenhall Bar in the past 12 months was 3.3. (The average for all stall renters, including those that have never crossed the bar, is 2.1 trips, with a median of 1.3.) Segmenting the data by boat length reveals that Mendenhall Bar travel frequency ranged from 2.1 trips in the past year for vessels 33 to 39 feet to approximately 4 trips for vessels 26 to 32 feet. All other vessel sizes fell within this range. Table 3. Mendenhall Bar Travel Frequency During Past Year 0 times 33 1 time 13 2 times 16 3 times 6 4 times 6 5 times 7 6 times 20 3.3 times 2.0 times Expanding these results to the entire population of CBJ stall renters (about 775 total), suggests total traffic of between 1,000 (based on the median) and 1,600 (based on the average) Bar crossings during the past year. This traffic does not include local boaters with trailered boats, local boaters using transient moorage, boaters with stalls in private marinas, on non-resident boaters. How many times per year do you normally cross the Mendenhall Bar? When questioned about a typical year s usage of the Mendenhall Bar, respondents generally report heavier usage than they reported for the past year (see Table 3, above). Specifically, less than one in ten (8 percent) suggest no travel over the Mendenhall Bar in a typical year, compared to 33 percent for the last year. The average number of trips was 4.5, compared to 3.3 for the past year. Table 4. Typical Mendenhall Bar Travel Frequency 0 times 8 1 time 10 2 times 21 3 times 11 4 times 10 5 times 6 6 times 25 4.5 times 3.0 times Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 4

In recent years, has your travel over the Mendenhall Bar increased, decreased, or remained the same? When questioned about the consistency of Mendenhall Bar travel in recent years, 15 percent stated their frequency has increased, while one-quarter (25 percent) said their travel has decreased. The majority (56 percent) said their Mendenhall Bar travel has remained the same. Table 5. Change in Mendenhall Bar Travel in Recent Years Increased 15 Decreased 25 Remained the same 56 Don t know 4 On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 as no impact and 5 as severe impact, what impact would temporary closure of the Mendenhall Bar to boat traffic have on you? When questioned about the impact of temporary closure of the Mendenhall Bar on personal waterway travel, a majority suggest that it would have no impact (63 percent). Only 11 percent said the impact level would be at 4 or 5. The mean response was 1.7 on the five-point scale. Table 6. Mendenhall Bar Temporary Closure Impact 1 (no impact) 63 2 16 3 7 4 4 5 (severe impact) 7 Refused/don t know 1 How important is it for you to have unrestricted navigational access through the Mendenhall Bar? 1 When questioned regarding the importance of maintaining unrestricted navigational access to the Mendenhall Bar, respondents were split. One-half (50 percent) suggest maintaining access to the Mendenhall Bar has little or no importance, while a similar number (49 percent) suggest it is very important (21 percent) or somewhat important (28 percent). Table 7. Importance of Unrestricted Navigational Access to Mendenhall Bar Very important 21 Somewhat important 28 Little or no importance 50 Don t know 1 1 Before this question was asked, respondents were told, Construction of a second crossing might result in permanent restrictions on boats with high vertical clearance requirements. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 5

If a second bridge is constructed across the Gastineau Channel, what would you recommend for minimum vertical and horizontal clearance? When asked for specific bridge clearance suggestions, responses fell across the spectrum. The mean response to minimum vertical clearance was 39 feet, with 12 percent in the 1-20 foot range and 12 percent in the over-50 foot range. The mean response to minimum horizontal clearance was 76 feet. The maximum recommended vertical clearance was 100 feet; the maximum recommended horizontal clearance was 400 feet. Over one-quarter of respondents didn t know or chose not to answer either question. Table 8. Vertical and Horizontal Bridge Clearance Vertical Clearance 1 15 feet 4 16 20 feet 6 21 25 feet 6 26 30 feet 14 31 35 feet 4 36 40 feet 9 41 45 feet 3 46 50 feet 6 51 55 feet 2 56 60 feet 5 66 70 feet 1 71 75 feet 1 Over 75 feet 3 39 feet 35 feet Same as current bridge 7 Refused/don t know 28 Horizontal Clearance 1 15 feet 3 16 20 feet 4 21 25 feet 2 26 30 feet 7 31 35 feet 2 36 40 feet 6 41 45 feet 1 46 50 feet 9 56 60 feet 5 66 70 feet 3 76 80 feet 2 81 85 feet 1 96 100 feet 13 Over 100 feet 7 76 feet 50 feet Same as current bridge 7 Refused/don t know 28 Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 6

What is the length, draft, and vertical clearance of your boat? The following table shows the dimensions of respondents vessels. dimensions were 33 feet for length, 4 feet for draft, and 22 feet for vertical clearance. The largest dimensions reported in the survey sample were 70 feet in length, 11 feet in draft, and 61 feet in vertical clearance. Table 9. Vessel Dimensions Length of Boat 15 feet 1 16-20 feet 4 21-25 feet 12 26 30 feet 25 31 35 feet 25 36 40 feet 21 41 45 feet 4 46 50 feet 3 51 55 feet 2 56 60 feet 3 33 feet 32 feet Refused/Don t know 0 Draft of Boat 3 feet 37 4 6 feet 50 7 9 feet 6 10 feet 2 4 feet 4 feet Refused/Don t know 4 Vertical Clearance 5 feet 4 6 10 feet 15 11 15 feet 27 16 20 feet 12 21 25 feet 4 26 30 feet 7 31 35 feet 4 36 40 feet 5 41 45 feet 3 46 50 feet 4 51 55 feet 3 55 60 feet 1 61 65 feet 1 22 feet 15 feet Refused/Don t know 8 Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 7

COMMERCIAL GILLNETTER SURVEY FINDINGS What is the primary purpose for your boat? All of the surveyed gillnetters report using their vessels primarily for commercial gillnet fishing. One-quarter (26 percent) also use their boats for long-line fishing. A small minority (5 percent) use their boat for troll fishing. Table 10. Vessel Primary Purpose Commercial gillnet fishing 100 Commercial long-line fishing 26 Commercial troll fishing 5 Other commercial fishing 3 Note: Multiple responses allowed. Have you ever taken your boat across the Mendenhall Bar? If not, why not? Two-thirds of commercial gillnetters (66 percent) have transited the Mendenhall Bar. A majority of gillnetters who have not transited the Mendenhall Bar say it is because there was no need to (62 percent). Nearly a third of non-users (31 percent) say it is too shallow, while another 23 percent say it is unsafe or dangerous. Table 11. Mendenhall Bar Travel Yes 66 No 34 No need 62 Too shallow 31 Unsafe/too dangerous 23 Other 15 Note: Multiple responses allowed. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 8

During the past 12 months, how many times did you cross the Mendenhall Bar? About one-third of commercial gillnetters (32 percent) report never having transited the Mendenhall Bar during the past year, while one-quarter (24 percent) have done so 6 or more times. The average number of times gillnetters have transited the Mendenhall Bar is 3.4 times in the past 12 months. Table 12. Mendenhall Bar Travel Frequency During Past Year 0 times 32 1 time 8 2 times 8 3 times 12 4 times 8 5 times 8 6 times 24 3.4 times 3.0 times How many times per year do you normally cross the Mendenhall Bar? When questioned about a typical year s usage of the Mendenhall Bar, gillnetters report more frequent rates than in the past year (see Table 12, above). Specifically, only 4 percent report zero trips over the Mendenhall Bar, compared to 32 percent for the past year. The average number of trips in a typical year was 4.6, compared to 3.4 for the past year. Table 13. Typical Mendenhall Bar Travel Frequency 0 times 4 1 time 16 2 times 16 3 times 16 4 times 4 5 times 4 6 times 32 4.6 times 3.0 times Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 9

In recent years, has your travel over the Mendenhall Bar increased, decreased, or remained the same? Four out of ten gillnetters (40 percent) say their travel over the Mendenhall Bar has decreased in recent years, while only 4 percent say it has increased. Table 14. Change in Mendenhall Bar Travel in Recent Years Increased 4 Decreased 40 Remained the same 56 On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 as no impact and 5 as severe impact, what impact would temporary closure of the Mendenhall Bar to boat traffic have on you? When questioned about the impact of temporary closure of the Mendenhall Bar on personal waterway travel, most gillnetters (58 percent) said they would experience no impact. Only 3 percent rated the impact level at 4, while no respondents gave a 5 rating. The average response was 1.7 on the five-point scale. Table 15. Mendenhall Bar Temporary Closure Impact 1 (no impact) 58 2 21 3 18 4 3 5 (severe impact) 0 How important is it for you to have unrestricted navigational access through the Mendenhall Bar? 2 When questioned regarding the importance of maintaining unrestricted navigational access to the Mendenhall Bar, the majority of gillnetters said it is either very important (42 percent) or somewhat important (32 percent.). One-quarter said it has little or no importance (26 percent). Table 16. Importance of Unrestricted Navigational Access to Mendenhall Bar Very important 42 Somewhat important 32 Little or no importance 26 2 Before this question was asked, respondents were told, Construction of a second crossing might result in permanent restrictions on boats with high vertical clearance requirements. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 10

If a second bridge is constructed across the Gastineau Channel, what would you recommend for minimum vertical and horizontal clearance? Gillnetters gave a range of responses for suggested vertical and horizontal bridge clearance footage. The average height suggested for vertical clearance was 48 feet, while the average width suggested for horizontal clearance was 61 feet. The maximum recommended vertical clearance was 75 feet; the maximum recommended horizontal clearance was 100 feet. Nearly one-third of respondents either didn t know or chose not to answer either question. Table 17. Vertical and Horizontal Bridge Clearance Vertical Clearance 1 15 feet 3 16 20 feet 5 21 25 feet 3 26 30 feet 5 36 40 feet 5 41 45 feet 5 46 50 feet 8 51 55 feet 3 56 60 feet 5 66 70 feet 3 71 75 feet 5 Over 75 feet 3 48 feet 45 feet Same as current bridge 16 Refused/don t know 32 Horizontal Clearance 1 15 feet 3 16 20 feet 3 21 25 feet 3 26 30 feet 5 36 40 feet 8 46 50 feet 8 56 60 feet 5 71 75 feet 3 96 100 feet 18 61 feet 50 feet Same as current bridge 16 Refused/don t know 29 Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 11

What is the length, draft, and vertical clearance of your boat? The following table shows the dimensions of respondents vessels. dimensions were 36 feet for length, 5 feet for draft, 12 feet for boat beam, and 27 feet for vertical clearance. The largest dimensions reported in the survey sample were 45 feet in length, 13 feet in draft, 15 feet in beam, and 50 feet in vertical clearance. Table 18. Vessel Dimensions Boat Length 30 feet 8 31 35 feet 26 36 40 feet 58 41 45 feet 8 36 feet 36 feet Refused/Don t know 0 Boat Draft 3 feet 11 4 6 feet 84 7 9 feet 0 10 feet 5 5 feet 5 feet Refused/Don t know 0 Boat Beam 9 feet 0 10 14 feet 95 15 19 feet 3 12 feet 12 feet Refused/Don t know 3 Boat Vertical Clearance 10 feet 3 11 15 feet 21 16 20 feet 11 21 25 feet 18 26 30 feet 13 31 35 feet 3 36 40 feet 18 41 45 feet 3 46 50 feet 3 27 feet 25 feet Refused/Don t know 5 Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 12

COMMERCIAL TROLLER SURVEY FINDINGS What is the primary purpose for your boat? Only seven out of ten commercial trollers (69 percent) report that the primary purpose of their troll vessel is commercial troll fishing. Trollers commonly use their troll vessel primarily for commercial long-line fishing (27 percent). Twelve percent use their troll boat primarily for recreation, pleasure, or sport hunting/fishing. Table 19. Vessel Primary Purpose Commercial troll fishing 69 Commercial long-line fishing 27 Recreation, pleasure, sport hunting/fishing 12 Commercial gillnet fishing 8 Other commercial fishing 4 Charter fishing 4 Note: Multiple responses allowed. Have you ever taken your boat across the Mendenhall Bar? If not, why not? Two-thirds of commercial trollers (65 percent) have transited the Mendenhall Bar. Those who have never done so most commonly give too shallow as the reason (67 percent), followed by unsafe or too dangerous (44 percent). One-fifth (22 percent) said they had no need to transit the Mendenhall Bar. Table 20. Mendenhall Bar Travel Yes 65 No 35 Too shallow 67 Unsafe/too dangerous 44 No need 22 Note: Multiple responses allowed. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 13

During the past 12 months, how many times did you cross the Mendenhall Bar? Over one-third of commercial trollers (35 percent) did not transit the Mendenhall Bar during the past year. About one-quarter (24 percent) report doing so 6 or more times. The average number of times trollers report transiting the Mendenhall Bar in the past 12 months is 3.7. Table 21. Mendenhall Bar Travel Frequency During Past Year 0 times 35 1 time 12 2 times 6 3 times 6 4 times 18 5 times 0 6 times 24 3.7 times 2.0 times How many times per year do you normally cross the Mendenhall Bar? Similar to the two other user groups, trollers appear to have transited the Mendenhall Bar with less frequency than normal in the past year (see Table 21, above). Only 18 percent report zero trips across the bar in a typical year, compared to 35 percent for the last year. The average number of trips in a typical year is 5.6 times, compared to 3.7 times in the last year. Table 22. Typical Mendenhall Bar Travel Frequency 0 times 18 1 time 0 2 times 29 3 times 6 4 times 12 5 times 0 6 times 29 5.6 times 2.0 times Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 14

In recent years, has your travel over the Mendenhall Bar increased, decreased, or remained the same? Equal numbers of trollers report their travel over the Mendenhall Bar has increased (29 percent) as have decreased (29 percent) in recent years. The remainder (41 percent) say their Mendenhall Bar travel has remained the same. Table 23. Change in Mendenhall Bar Travel in Recent Years Increased 29 Decreased 29 Remained the same 41 On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 as no impact and 5 as severe impact, what impact would temporary closure of the Mendenhall Bar to boat traffic have on you? When questioned about the impact of temporary closure of the Mendenhall Bar on their activity, nearly three quarters of trollers (73 percent) say it would have no impact. Not one troller rated the impact level at 4 or 5. The average response was 1.3 on the five-point scale. Table 24. Mendenhall Bar Temporary Closure Impact 1 (no impact) 73 2 23 3 4 4 0 5 (severe impact) 0 How important is it for you to have unrestricted navigational access through the Mendenhall Bar? 3 Over half of trollers say it is either very important (23 percent) or somewhat important (27 percent) to have unrestricted navigational access through the Mendenhall Bar, with nearly half (46 percent) saying it has little or no importance. Table 25. Importance of Unrestricted Navigational Access to Mendenhall Bar Very important 23 Somewhat important 27 Little or no importance 46 Don t know 4 3 Before this question was asked, respondents were told, Construction of a second crossing might result in permanent restrictions on boats with high vertical clearance requirements. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 15

If a second bridge is constructed across the Gastineau Channel, what would you recommend for minimum vertical and horizontal clearance? The average height suggested for minimum vertical clearance was 47 feet. The average width suggested for minimum horizontal clearance was 65 feet. The maximum recommended vertical clearance was 60 feet; the maximum recommended horizontal clearance was 100 feet. Table 26. Vertical and Horizontal Bridge Clearance Vertical Clearance 1 20 feet 8 26 30 feet 8 36 40 feet 4 41 45 feet 4 46 50 feet 27 56 60 feet 27 47 feet 50 feet Same as current bridge 10 Refused/don t know 12 Horizontal Clearance 1 20 feet 8 26 30 feet 4 36 40 feet 4 46 50 feet 12 96 100 feet 23 65 feet 50 feet Same as current bridge 15 Refused/don t know 35 Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 16

What is the length, draft, beam, and vertical clearance of your boat? The following table shows the dimensions of respondents vessels. dimensions were 40 feet for length, 6 feet for draft, 13 feet for beam, and 38 feet for vertical clearance. The largest dimensions reported in the survey sample were 58 feet in length, 12 feet in draft, 19 feet in beam, and 60 feet in vertical clearance. Table 27. Vessel Dimensions Boat Length 25 feet 15 31 35 feet 12 36 40 feet 27 41 45 feet 19 46 50 feet 12 51 55 feet 8 56 60 feet 8 40 feet 40 feet Refused/Don t know 0 Boat Draft 3 feet 19 4 6 feet 62 7 9 feet 12 10 feet 8 6 feet 5 feet Refused/Don t know 0 Boat Beam 9 feet 15 10 14 feet 65 15 19 feet 15 13 feet 13 feet Refused/Don t know 4 Boat Vertical Clearance 10 feet 4 11 15 feet 4 16 20 feet 4 21 25 feet 8 26 30 feet 4 31 35 feet 12 36 40 feet 19 41 45 feet 15 46 50 feet 4 51 55 feet 8 56 60 feet 8 38 feet 40 feet Refused/Don t know 12 Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 17

SURVEY INSTRUMENTS Initial Refusals Juneau Second Channel Crossing Waterway User Telephone Survey (200 Boat Owners Randomly Selected) PHONE # SURVEY # INTERVIEWER NAME STALL LOCATION LENGTH DATE VESSEL NAME / REG. BEAM Hello, this is with the McDowell Group, an Alaskan research firm. We are conducting a survey for the Alaska Department of Transportation concerning the proposed construction of a second bridge across the Gastineau Channel. To evaluate the navigational impacts of constructing a 2 nd bridge, we are surveying local boat owners. We would like to ask you a few questions regarding your boating activity in this area. 1. First, do you own a boat? 1 Yes 2 No [THANK AND END SURVEY] 3 Refused [THANK AND END SURVEY] 2. How many boats do you own? 1 1 2 2 3 3 or more 4 Refused 5 Don t know READ: The CBJ Harbormaster provided us with a list of all current public harbor stall owners. We would like to ask you a few questions about the boat you have moored at. [USE APPROPRIATE HARBOR AS NOTED AT STALL LOCATION (TOP OF PAGE) HARRIS HARBOR/ AURORA BASIN/AUKE BAY HARBOR/DOUGLAS HAROR/INTERMEDIATE VESSEL FLOAT.] 3. What is the length of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know 4. What is the draft of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know 5. What is the vertical clearance of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: Clearance is the total height measured from the waterline to the boat s highest point, including any antenna, mast, or trolling poles. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 18

6. What is the primary use for your boat? Is it for..? [READ LIST BELOW. MULTIPLE ANSWERS OK.] 1 Commercial troll fishing 5 Charter fishing 9 Refused 2 Commercial gillnet fishing 6 Charter tours 10 Don t know 3 Commercial seine fishing 7 Recreation or sport fishing 4 Commercial long-line fishing 8 Other READ: The next several questions relate to your boating through an area known as the Mendenhall Bar, which includes a seven-mile stretch of the Gastineau Channel between Salmon Creek and the Mendenhall Peninsula/Fritz Cove area. 7a. Have you ever taken your boat across the Mendenhall Bar? 1 Yes 2 No 3 Refused [GO TO Q11] 4 Don t know [GO TO Q11] 7b. Why not? [FOLLOWING RESPONSE GO TO Q11] 1 Too shallow 2 No need 3 Unsafe / Too dangerous 4 Refused 5 Don t know 6 Other 8. During the past 12 months, how many times did you cross the Mendenhall Bar? times 1 Refused 2 Don t know 9. How many times per year do you normally cross the Mendenhall Bar? times 1 Refused 2 Don t know 10. In recent years, has your travel over the Mendenhall Bar 1 Increased 2 Decreased 3 Remained the same 4 Refused 5 Don t know 11. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 as no impact and 5 as severe impact, what impact would temporary closure of the Mendenhall Bar to boat traffic have on you? 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 Refused 7 Don t know No impact Severe Impact Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 19

READ: Construction of a 2 nd crossing might result in permanent restrictions on boats with high vertical clearance requirements. 12. How important is it for you to have unrestricted navigational access through the Mendenhall Bar? 1 Very important 2 Somewhat important 3 Little or no importance 4 Don t know 5 Refused 13. If a 2nd bridge is constructed across the Gastineau Channel, what would you recommend for minimum vertical and horizontal clearance? 1 Vertical feet 2 3 Horizontal feet Refused 4 Don t know Thank you for your participation in this important project! 14. Record gender: [DO NOT ASK] 1 Male 2 Female 3 Don t know Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 20

Initial Refusals Juneau Second Channel Crossing Waterway User Telephone Survey (50 Permitted Juneau, Haines, and Skagway Gillnetters S03A Permits) PHONE # SURVEY # INTERVIEWER NAME HOME PORT DATE VESSEL NAME LENGTH Hello, this is with the McDowell Group, an Alaskan research firm. We are conducting a survey for the Alaska Department of Transportation concerning the proposed construction of a second bridge across the Gastineau Channel. To evaluate the navigational impacts of constructing a 2 nd bridge, we are surveying local commercial fisherman. We would like to ask you a few questions regarding your boating activity in this area. 1. First, do you own a boat? 1 Yes 2 No [THANK AND END SURVEY] 3 Refused [THANK AND END SURVEY] 2. How many boats do you own? 1 1 2 2 3 3 or more 4 Refused 5 Don t know READ: The Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission provided us with a list of local permitted commercial fishermen. We would like to ask you a few questions about the boat you use for commercial fishing purposes. 3. What is the length of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know 4. What is the draft of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know 5. What is the beam of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know 6. What is the vertical clearance of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: Clearance is the total height measured from the waterline to the boat s highest point, including any antenna, mast, or trolling poles. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 21

7. What is the primary use for your boat? Is it for..? [READ LIST BELOW. MULTIPLE ANSWERS OK.] 1 Commercial troll fishing 5 Charter fishing 9 Refused 2 Commercial gillnet fishing 6 Charter tours 10 Don t know 3 Commercial seine fishing 7 Recreation or sport fishing 4 Commercial long-line fishing 8 Other READ: The next several questions relate to your boating through an area known as the Mendenhall Bar, which includes a seven-mile stretch of the Gastineau Channel between Salmon Creek and the Mendenhall Peninsula/Fritz Cove area. 8a. Have you ever taken your boat across the Mendenhall Bar? 1 Yes 2 No 3 Refused [GO TO Q12] 4 Don t know [GO TO Q12] 8b. Why not? [FOLLOWING RESPONSE GO TO Q12] 1 Too shallow 2 No need 3 Unsafe / Too dangerous 4 Refused 5 Don t know 6 Other 9. During the past 12 months, how many times did you cross the Mendenhall Bar? times 1 Refused 2 Don t know 10. How many times per year do you normally cross the Mendenhall Bar? times 1 Refused 2 Don t know 11. In recent years, has your travel over the Mendenhall Bar 1 Increased 2 Decreased 3 Remained the same 4 Refused 5 Don t know 12. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 as no impact and 5 as severe impact, what impact would temporary closure of the Mendenhall Bar to boat traffic have on you? 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 Refused 7 Don t know No impact Severe Impact Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 22

READ: Construction of a 2 nd crossing might result in permanent restrictions on boats with high vertical clearance requirements. 13. How important is it for you that a 2 ND bridge not restrict navigational access through the Mendenhall Bar? 1 Very important 2 Somewhat important 3 Little or no importance 4 Don t know 5 Refused 14. If a 2nd bridge is constructed across the Gastineau Channel, what would you recommend for minimum vertical and horizontal clearance? 1 Vertical feet 2 3 Horizontal feet Refused 4 Don t know Thank you for your participation in this important project! 15. Record gender: [DO NOT ASK] 1 Male 2 Female 3 Don t know Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 23

Initial Refusals Juneau Second Channel Crossing Waterway User Telephone Survey (50 Permitted Juneau Trollers S15B Permits) PHONE # SURVEY # INTERVIEWER NAME HOME PORT DATE VESSEL NAME LENGTH Hello, this is with the McDowell Group, an Alaskan research firm. We are conducting a survey for the Alaska Department of Transportation concerning the proposed construction of a second bridge across the Gastineau Channel. To evaluate the navigational impacts of constructing a 2 nd bridge, we are surveying local commercial fisherman. We would like to ask you a few questions regarding your boating activity in this area. 1. First, do you own a boat? 1 Yes 2 No [THANK AND END SURVEY] 3 Refused [THANK AND END SURVEY] 2. How many boats do you own? 1 1 2 2 3 3 or more 4 Refused 5 Don t know READ: The Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission provided us with a list of local permitted commercial fishermen. We would like to ask you a few questions about the boat you use for commercial fishing purposes. 3. What is the length of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know 4. What is the draft of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know 5. What is the beam of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know 6. What is the vertical clearance of your boat? feet 1 Refused 2 Don t know READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: Clearance is the total height measured from the waterline to the boat s highest point, including any antenna, mast, or trolling poles. Juneau Second Channel Crossing - Waterway User Survey McDowell Group, Inc. Page 24