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-2021-00242, Tongass Narrows, 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=dJfWZ
Alternatively, you may direct written comments or requests for 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: US Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit Juneau, Brian Goettler, PO Box 22517, Juneau, Alaska (907) 463-2419, brian.j.goettler@uscg.mil
Project Name: USCG Base Ketchikan Waterfront Repairs
Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 29, T. 75 S., R. 91 E., Copper River Meridian; Latitude 55.332219° N., Longitude -131.626530° W.; in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to perform maintenance and repair at the Base Ketchikan wharf. During the last waterfront inspection of the Base Ketchikan wharf and pier-supported buildings, inspectors identified several areas in need of repair. Original design intended on brining equipment via a small barge, but overhead height and tidal restrictions made that approach infeasible. Therefore, installation of two construction pads is required to bring necessary equipment into the area for current and future maintenance projects.
Project Description: The proposed repairs to the Base Ketchikan Waterfront existing wharf and pile-supported buildings consist of concrete pile cap repairs, mooring system repairs, and wharf strengthening repairs through helical pile installation and structural jacketing of existing timber and steel piles. To conduct repairs, installation of two rip-rap construction pads is required to allow equipment to access the failing piles. To allow for future repairs, construction pads would be left in place. The applicant proposes placement of approximately 350 cubic yards (CY) of material into 0.05 acres of WOUS to construct pads.
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.