Public Notice (PN) Date: March 11, 2021          PN Reference Number: POA-2021-00052
PN Expiration Date: March 26, 2021  Waterway: Manayagavik 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-2021-00052, Manayagavik 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 https://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=YpTUE

Alternatively, you may direct written comments or requests for a public hearing via email or mail 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: City of Hooper Bay, PO Box 29, Hooper Bay, Alaska 99604, Attn: David Green, Mayor, cityhpb@gmail.com, (907) 758-4311: Agent: Summit Consulting Services, 3230 C Street, Suite 202, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, Attn: Steve Lemmel, slemmel@scsalaska.com; (907) 563-5675

Project Name: Hooper Bay Wastewater Lagoon

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 22, 23, 26, T. 7 N., R. 93 W., Seward Meridian; Latitude 61.549521° N., Longitude -166.105670° W.; in Hooper Bay, Alaska.

Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to construct an updated wastewater lagoon to address the deficiencies in the existing smaller single-cell wastewater lagoon.

Project Description: The City of Hooper Bay is proposing to construct a new two-cell wastewater lagoon and approximately one mile of elevated helical-supported lagoon force main extension and lagoon access boardwalk. The total footprint of the lagoon is expected to be around 25.5 acres. Construction of the lagoon involves the excavation of roughly 114,600 cubic yards of material, primarily consisting of thawed silts/sandy silts and surface organics. All materials used in the construction of the lagoon berms will be sourced exclusively from excavation within the lagoon footprint. Excavated organic materials will be used to create a secondary berm offset from the toe of the lagoon berm slope. The secondary Bern will serve as stormwater protection during construction and as a long-term secondary barrier to storm surges, flood waters, and potential ice flows. The footprint of the secondary berm is expected to be roughly 2.0 acres, bring the total impacted wetlands footprint to 27.5 acres.

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.