Any applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct an activity that might result in a discharge into navigable waters, in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1977 (PL95-217), also must apply for and obtain certification from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation that the discharge will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws.

Notice is hereby given that a request for a CWA §401 Water Quality Certification of a Department of the Army Permit application, Corps of Engineers’ Reference Number POA-2020-00462, Tongass Narrows, has been received for the discharge of dredged and/or fill materials into waters of the United States (WOUS), including wetlands, as described below and shown on the enclosed project figures/drawings. The public notice and related project figures/drawings are also accessible from the DEC website at http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/.

Any person desiring to comment on the project with respect to water quality, may submit comments electronically via the DEC public notice site (preferred method) at http://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=U5x2c, or written comments to the address or email listed above by the Public Notice expiration date. All comments submitted via mail or email should include the PN reference number listed above in the subject heading. Mailed comments must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice.

Applicant: William Smart; PO Box 8200; Ketchikan, Alaska 99901; Email: smartconstruction@kpunet.net; Tel.: (907) 225-5520; Agent: Joel Teune, R&M Engineering, Ketchikan, Inc.; 7180 Revilla Road, Suite 300; Ketchikan, Alaska 99901; Email: jteune@rmketchikan.com; Tel.: (907) 225-7917

Project Name: Tongass Narrows, Smart Barge Landing Facility

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 8, T. 75 S., R. 90 E. Copper River Meridian; Latitude 55.382342° N., Longitude -131.759019° W.; in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to develop his privately-owned industrial barge landing facility by expanding their current location (Lot 35A) into adjacent Lot 35B, which is also owned by the applicant. The applicant also sells shot-rock materials to local construction business. The proposed project would expand the loading/uploading barge operations into Lot35B, but the landing area would remain only through Lot 35A.

Project Description: To place 3,841 cubic yards (CY) of fill in 1.03 acres of palustrine forested wetlands in Lot 35B. Work would include clearing and grubbing overburden from the 1.03 acres of wetlands, then drilling and blasting 24,435 CY of bedrock to expand existing Lot 35A’s loading/uploading pad for barge and shot rock operations. A 25-foot access road would be constructed along the width of the property above the bedrock excavation area (97 CY of shot rock fill), and overburden/spoils from the rock excavation would be stockpiled in a filled area above the access road (3,744 CY). The entire property has been designated as palustrine forested wetlands (PFO4B and PFO4/EM1B). Work is planned to start during 2021 spring and last up to three months.

After reviewing the application, the Department may certify there is reasonable assurance the activity, and any discharge that might result, will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws. The Department also may deny or waive certification.

The permit application and associated documents are available for review. For inquires or to request copies of the documents, contact dec-401cert@alaska.gov, or call 907-269-6285.

Disability Reasonable Accommodation Notice

The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact ADA Coordinator Brian Blessington at 907-269-6272 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 within 5 days of the expiration date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.