Public Notice (PN) Date: March 1, 2021 PN Reference Number: POA-2021-00100
PN Expiration Date: March 16, 2021 Waterway: Bering Strait
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-2021-00100, Bering Strait, 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=KYpmD
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 mail or email 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: City Diomede, PO Box 7039, Diomede, Alaska 99762, Marlene, Ahkinga, Mayor (907) 684-1023, kvasnikoffjohn@yahoo.com; Agent: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 4500 Diplomacy Drive, Suite 454, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, Scott Prevatte, Environmental Coordinator, (907) 306-2295, saprevatte@anthc.org
Project Name: Little Diomede New Water Storage Tank and Seawall
Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 7, T. 4 N., R. 49 W.; Latitude 65.759300° N., Longitude –168.951200° W.; in Bethel, Alaska.
Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to provide adequate water storage for year-round water supply. The City of Diomede has reoccurring water shortages created by the lack of a year-round water supply and insufficient water storage capacity.
Project Description: The applicant is proposing to construct a new 340,000 gallon steel water storage tank and appurtenances on Little Diomede Island, Alaska. Other components of the project include barge landing and access trail improvements and a protective seawall. The applicant proposes placement of approximately 1,000 cubic yards (CY) of material into 0.2 acres of Waters of the U.S., including wetlands.
The barge landing and access trail improvements will consist of relocating large rocks using an excavator and adding imported gravel material using an excavator and adding imported gravel material using a loader to grade the access. The barge landing improvements will be 50ft L x 20ft W x 6ft D wit up to 300 cy of fill placed below Mean High Water (MHW).
Most of the beach access trail fill will be placed above MHW, however; some native boulders and imported gravel material may be placed below MHW within the steeper sloped area. Beach access trail improvements will require up to 200 cy of native boulders and imported gravel be placed below MHW over an area 300ft L x 25ft W x 3ft D.
The seawall fill will extend from Inalik Native Corporation owned uplands into tidelands. The face of the seawall extends below MHW. Approximately 100 linear feet of primarily boulder armor rock will be placed up to 25 feet seaward of MHW. The face of the sea wall will be 6 feet high with a 1:1 slope. The volume of fill below MHW is 500 cy. An excavator and loader will be used to place the seawall rock. The Seawall below MHW will be constructed of 500 cy of imported rock. The fill area below MHW is 100ft L x 25ft W x 6ft D.
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.