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-2021-00047, Sitka Sound, 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=SBx2C
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: David Russell and Melissa Hantka, PO Box 2501, Sitka, Alaska 99835, (907) 738-2261, duckmh@aol.com; Agent: Camden Davis, Davis Inc., PO Box 859, Sitka, Alaska 99835, (907) 738-3583, davisinc@ptialaska.net
Project Name: Russell Residential Marine Dock and Breakwater
Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 12, T. 56 S., R. 63 E.; Latitude 57.0270° N., Longitude -135.3414° W.; in northeast of Whale Island near Sitka, Alaska.
Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to provide dock access and electricity for a residence of Whale Island.
Project Description: The applicant proposes to: 1) discharge up to 250 cubic yards of concrete blocks and washed armor rock into no more than 1,500 square feet below both the High Tide Line (HTL, +12.7 feet above Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW)) and the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM, +9.1 feet above MLLW) of Sitka Sound, a navigable water of the U.S., for the purpose of constructing a breakwater between Whale Island and the McClellan Group; 2) construct a 30x20-foot floating dock anchored by three, 1,000-pound anchors and two, 3-pile dolphins comprised of 12-inch steel piles at the end of a 6x90-foot gangway originating from a 25x25-foot platform atop four, 12-inch steel pilings pinned into the bedrock by 4x4x4-foot concrete footings below the OHWM of Sitka Sound, for the purpose of creating safe moorage and access to Whale Island; and, 3) install 1,270 linear feet of underwater power cable below the OHWM of Sitka Sound from an existing transformer on Bamdoroshni Island to the 25x25-foot platform for the purpose of providing power to a planned residence on Whale Island.
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.