Alaska Online Public Notices #ADL 109504

Easement and Installation of Subsea Fiber Optic Cable System in Southeast Alaska

This opportunity involves a major infrastructure project to install, operate, and maintain a subsea fiber optic cable system (SFOC) in Southeast Alaska, led by Cordova Telecom Cooperative, Inc. and supported by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and USDA ReConnect funding. - Government Buyer: - Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Southeast Regional Land Office - USDA ReConnect Program (funding partner) - OEMs and Vendors: - Cordova Telecom Cooperative, Inc. (project lead and applicant) - Products and Infrastructure: - Subsea fiber optic cable system (approx. 845 km, max diameter 47 mm) - Double armor and lightweight armor cable types - Repeaters and grounding systems (sea earth plate, earth array) - Beach manholes (6 units, one at each landing) - Terrestrial cable ducts and cable landing stations - Articulated pipe for cable protection at shore ends - Specialized installation equipment: cable plow, ROV, jetting sled - Services Requested: - Installation, operation, and maintenance of the SFOC - Pre-lay grapnel run (PLGR) for route clearance - Cable lay operations (including dynamic positioning and tension control) - Shore end cable lay and burial (diver-assisted, jetting sled) - Post-lay burial and inspection (using ROVs) - Annual activity reporting and environmental compliance - Unique/Notable Requirements: - 30-year public utility easement across state-owned tide and submerged lands (approx. 1,920 acres, 2,789,000 feet in length, 30 feet wide) - Environmental risk assessments, performance guarantees, and insurance - Compliance with ADA and multiple federal, state, and municipal permits - Project aims to deliver high-speed broadband to rural and underserved communities - Construction in two phases: terrestrial infrastructure first, then subsea cable - Key Locations: - Cable landings and infrastructure at Cordova, Juneau, Yakutat, Pelican, Gustavus, and Hoonah - Contracting offices in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau

Description

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Southeast Regional Land Office has received an application from Cordova Telecom Cooperative, Inc. for a public utility easement to place a fiber optic submarine cable on State-owned tide and submerged lands from Juneau to Gustavus, Hoonah, Pelican, Yakutat, and Cordova. The easement requested is 30 feet wide, covering approximately 1,920 acres or 2,789,000 feet in length, with a proposed 30-year term starting upon signing. This project aims to provide high-speed broadband to rural and underserved communities in Southeast Alaska. The public is invited to comment on the proposal by June 8, 2026.

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