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-2020-00530, Chena River, 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=TG5Ni
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: Fort Wainwright Directorate of Public Works, Robert Larimore, Environmental Chief, 1046 Marks Road, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703, (907) 361-4213, Robert.k.larimore.civ@mail.mil; Agent: Dan Rees, Fort Wainwright Directorate of Public Works Natural Resource Manager, (907) 361-9318, Daniel.c.rees.civ@mail.mil
Project Name: South Fork Chena River Trail Upgrades
Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 11-12, T. 2 S., R. 6 E.; Latitude 64.755719° N., Longitude -146.473071° W.; in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to provide access to the northeastern portion of the Yukon Training Area for military training exercises and wildlife suppression and control activities.
Project Description: The applicant proposes placement of approximately 118,654 cubic yards (CY) of material into 11.0 acres of WOUS, including wetlands, to upgrade an existing 3 mile long trail north of Stuart Creek Impact Area in the Yukon Training Area. The trail will be 18 feet wide at the top and 76.9 feet average width at the base with a 2:1 side slope. In areas with steep grade, the height of the trail will be built up to maintain a minimum slope of 11%.
A maximum of 77,000 CY of gravel will be extracted from the valley bottom, just north of the trail corridor and 300 feet west of the river. The extracted gravel will be used for trail construction. Gravel will be extracted with an excavator to a maximum depth of 12 feet. Maximum wetland impacts from the gravel extraction site will be 3.1 acres. Additional active upland extraction sites will also be used as a material source for the trail.
A full span bridge will be constructed across the South Fork Chena River with concrete abutments placed in uplands outside of the 2 year floodplain. A hundred foot forested riparian buffer will be maintained to the maximum extent practicable. Two small staging areas will be constructed in uplands on either side of the river outside of the riparian buffer and left in place after completion of the trail upgrades for use as parking areas.
Trail construction and gravel extraction is scheduled to begin October 1, 2021 and will be executed in phases as funding becomes available. Anticipated project completion is September 30, 2026.
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.