The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water will be holding an in person public workshop May 13-14 in Anchorage at the Performing Arts Center Voth Hall, 621 West 6th Ave., and by simultaneous state-wide teleconference. The workshop hours are 1:00-5:00 p.m., May 13 and 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., May 14. Participants will discuss proposed regulation revisions in Title 18, chapter 70 of the Alaska Administrative Code (18 AAC 70) which establishes implementation methods for water quality antidegradation policy found at 18 AAC 70.015.
The purpose of the workshop is to review five key issues identified by DEC staff based on comments received during the initial public notice period in 2014. Participants will discuss potential solutions or alternatives. The key issues that were identified by DEC staff include the following: the complexity of the draft regulations, the 401/404 permit approval and certification process, the alternative analysis, the de minimis provision, and the antidegradation analysis for general permits.
The workshop will be technical in nature, and it is suggested that those attending the workshop be familiar with the draft antidegradation regulations, have potential solutions or alternatives to address concerns raised during the previous comment period on the draft regulations, and be prepared to discuss how they meet the objectives of the identified key areas of the antidegradation regulations, as well as associated federal regulations and the Clean Water Act.
Those who wish to participate in the workshop by teleconference or in person should fill out and send in a registration form by May 1. The form is available on the DECwebsite at: http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wqsar/Antidegradation/index.html.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Natalie Wolfe (907) 269-0291 no later than 4:30 p.m. May 1, 2015, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
For a copy of the previously public noticed proposed regulations or for more information, contact Earl Crapps, ADEC Division of Water, at 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501or (907) 269-7681, Earl.Crapps@alaska.gov, or go to the Division of Water Antidegradation web page at http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wqsar/Antidegradation/index.html.