Public Notice (PN) Date: February 25, 2021 PN Reference Number: POA-2021-00041
PN Expiration Date: March 12, 2021 Waterway: Sagavanirktok River
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-2021-00041, Sagavanirktok River, 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=WpMZs
Alternatively, you may direct written comments or requests for public hearing via email or mail to the address listed above by the Public Notice expiration date. All comments submitted via email or mail should include the Public Notice reference number listed above in the subject heading. Mailed comments must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice.
Applicant: Alaska Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities, 2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709, Brett Nelson, Regional Environmental Manager, 907-451-2238, brett.nelson@alaska.gov
Project Name: Dalton Highway Milepost 289-305 Rehabilitation
Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 21, T. 09 S., R. 12 E., Umiat Meridian; Latitude 68.642733° N., Longitude -149.342397° W.; on the north slope of Alaska.
Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to preserve and extend the service life of the highway, to enhance safety, and to maintain existing roadway function due to drifting snow.
Project Description: The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is planning to rehabilitate the Dalton Highway from Milepost (MP) 289 to MP 305. The applicant proposes placement of approximately 346,705 cubic yards (CY) of material into 80 acres of WOUS, including wetlands, to rehabilitate the highway. Of those, approximately 0.27 acres and 1,938 CY of fill will be placed within unnamed small waterbodies/ponds. Additionally, the project will have approximately 32.1 acres of temporary impacts. The project consists of establishing a uniform 32-foot road width along the Dalton Highway from MP 289 to MP 305 due to the existing roadway width that varies from 30-foot to 36-foot in certain areas. The roadway centerline will be realigned approximately 10-feet in places where the buried gas line is too close to the highway. Additional work includes four vehicle pullouts, a grade and embankment raise, approach upgrades, reconditioning ditches, repairing existing culverts, replacing guardrail, signing, and treated surface course. Two existing material sites near the project are available to the contractors, MS 65-9-061-2 Sag Pit located near MP 305 and MS 65-9-059-2 Imnavait Creek Pit located near MP 290.
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.