Public Notice (PN) Date: March 11, 2021 PN Reference Number: POA-2016-00537
PN Expiration Date: March 26, 2021 Waterway: Valdez Bay
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-2019-00537, Valdez Bay, 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=ZtNHV
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: Valdez Fisheries Development Association, Inc., PO Box 125, Valdez, Alaska 99686, Mike Wells, Executive Director; (907) 835-4874; mike.wells@valdezfisheries.com
Project Name: Valdez Fisheries Coastal Erosion Control
Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 3, T. 9 S., R. 6 W., Copper River Meridian; Latitude 61.1203° N., Longitude -146.2797° W.; in Valdez, Alaska.
Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to prevent erosion at the Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) net pen storage site 2.
Project Description: The VFDA proposes a second modification to an existing Corps of Engineers permit issued in 2017. The original permit authorized excavation of 4,181 cubic yards of gravel mix below the high tide line (HTL) and mean high water (MHW), construction of a level pad, and installation of four piles. The first modification was issued in Jan 2018 to remove the requirement of implementation of a mitigation measure that are applicable to the excavation component of the project only.
VFDA presently requests authorization to discharge fill material in order to perform bank stabilization on the eastern bank of the authorized net pen. The work will include the discharge of 340 cubic yards (cy) of rock and 230 cy of filter rock below the HTL in a 0.15-acre area to construct a rock embankment.
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.