Public Notice (PN) Date: March 1, 2021     PN Reference Number: POA-2020-000367
PN Expiration Date: March 16, 2021           Waterway: Brown’s Slough

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-2020-00367, Brown’s Slough, 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=sCdDN

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: Dale Construction, LLC, PO Box 3442, Bethel, Alaska 99559, Katherine Dale, (206) 391-3761, kat@daleconstructionllc.com

Project Name: Browns Slough Chaney Sand Pit

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 11, T. 8 N., R. 72 W., Seward Meridian; Latitude 60.7946° N., Longitude –161.8674° W.; in Bethel, Alaska.

Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to sell sand to be used for building infrastructure in the Bethel area.

Project Description: The Corps of Engineers is processing an After the Fact permit application for the previous removal of tundra, topsoil, and sand from 35.4 acres at an existing sand pit. The applicant proposes to expand the sand pit by mechanically land clearing which would result in the discharge of material into an additional 4.6 acres of wetlands to bring the total size of the pit to 40 acres. The expansion would be needed to provide the quantity of specified materials for upcoming expansion of the Bethel Airport runway and Lower Kuskokwim School District projects throughout the area. The applicant would continue to excavate up to 150,000 cubic yards of sandy material annually from the pit each year. This proposal would bring the existing sand pit into compliance with Clean Water Act Section 404.

To minimize water quality impacts, the operator leaves an area of undisturbed tundra between the disturbed area and the property line and maintains a 3:1 slope around the whole pit to capture storm water within the pit.

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.