Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Water Resources Section
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-4699
(907) 451-2793 Phone Number
(907) 451-2703 Fax Number
NOTICE OF WATER RIGHT APPLICATIONS
LAS 32225, LAS 32228, & LAS 32229
Pursuant to AS 46.15 and rules and regulations (11 AAC 93) promulgated thereunder, notice is hereby given that three applications have been received from Northern Star (Pogo) LLC, P.O. Box 145, Delta Junction, AK, 99737, to appropriate water as follows:
LAS 32225 – Recycle Tailings Pond
In order to eliminate mine contact water from leaving active workings groundwater within the Liese Creek drainage that comes into contact with active mining areas must be collected and treated prior to entering any and all outfalls from the mine site, as must all water used in the mining/milling process. The Application for Water Rights includes production of 600 gallons per minute (gpm) for year-round use of a total volume of 580.68 AFY in addition to the LAS 24616 permitted quantity of 387.12 AFY.
LAS 32228 – Tailings Pond Seepage Collection System
The Recycle Tailings Pond will also include a seepage collection system to ensure mine-contact water is contained and treated prior to discharge. The Application for Water Rights includes production averaging 370 gpm for year-round use of a total maximum volume of 600 AFY.
LAS 32229 – Underground Mining Dewatering
For the Pogo Mine underground mining operations, an underground dewatering system is essential for safe mining practices. The Application for Water Rights entails dewatering the underground mining areas averaging 1,000 gpm for year-round use of a total volume of 1,604.81 AFY in addition to the LAS 24617 permitted quantity of 395.19 AFY.
The application area for LAS 32225 and LAS 32228 is located within Section 25, T5S, R14E, FM, and the application area for LAS 32229 is within the Millsite Lease Parcel ADL 416949 located within Sections 13, 14, 22-27, and 34-36 T5S, R14E, FM. Priority date for all three applications is February 12, 2018.
The public is invited to comment on these Applications for Water Rights. For further information on the subject, please contact Jenny March at the above address or telephone number. The Water Resources Section must receive comments in writing by 5:00 p.m., May 3, 2019 at the above address to be considered. If issued, a permit may be extended for good cause shown, pursuant to AS 46.15.110 and 11 AAC 93.120(f), without additional public notice.
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The state is prepared to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing auxiliary aids when requested. Individuals with audio impairments who wish to respond to this notice by telephone may call the Department’s Public Information Center in Fairbanks between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., M-F at TDD # 451-2770.
The Department of Natural Resources reserves the right to waive technical defects in this publication.