KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Trident Seafoods is moving forward with plans to replace its bunkhouse dock near its processing plant in Kodiak despite the company announcing it would sell the facility last month.
Alexis Telfer, Trident’s vice president of global communications, says the dock repair project has been in the works for a long time and they’re following through with the process.
“We demolished the bunkhouse, I want to say about midyear last year in 2023,” she said. “And we had planned to demolish the dock and replace the pilings and the dock in October and we were just waiting on permits.”
Trident’s construction plans include replacing about 36 pilings near the facility.
Several marine mammals like sea lions and orcas can often be found swimming by the docks in the Near Island Channel though. The company is currently working with the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service on their plans to mitigate animal injuries and permit potential harassment during the construction.
NMFS is soliciting public comments for the dock construction plans for the next three weeks, which can be submitted by emailing officials. Construction is expected to begin in March.
