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-1987-725, Upper Kougarok 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=YKrCm.

Alternatively, you may direct written comments or requests for public hearing via email or mail to the address listed above by the Public Notice (PN) 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: NB Tweet & Sons LLC, PO Box 1107 Nome Alaska 99762, Darell Tweet, Owner / Partner, darell@nbtweet.com, 907-434-1420

Project Name: Upper Kougarok Placer

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 1, 12,35, T. 003, 004 N., R. 030 W.; Latitude 65.6947 N., Longitude -164.8230 ° W., Kateel River Meridian; near Taylor, Alaska.

Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to conduct placer mining operations for commercial gold recovery.

Project Description: The applicant proposes to complete mining and reclamation of 25 acres of wetlands authorized under POA-1987-00725-M5. See Table 1 below.  The applicant also proposes two phases of new work, one using a bucket line dredge, and the other using conventional sluicing. Dredge work would include temporary and permanent discharge of 175,208 cubic yards (cy) of organics and gravel overburden to mechanically clear, stockpile, mine and reclaim 19 acres of wetlands. See Table 2 below. The sluicing work would involve temporary and permanent discharge of 225,060 cy of organics and gravel overburden to mechanically clear, stockpile, and reclaim 20.8 acres of wetlands. See Table 3 below. The total areas of work would be completion of mining in 25 acres, and new mining in 39.8 acres of wetlands. Following mining, reclamation will occur. The active mine pit is backfilled with tailings, and reshaped to have varied depth, irregular shape, and a shallow littoral zone. The berm separating the pit from the creek is removed. The ponds maintain a variable water level based on water level of the creek. Natural revegetation will be allowed to occur.

The applicant proposes to discharge up to 300,000 cubic yards of organic, silt and gravel overburden into approximately 41 acres of wetlands, through mechanical land clearing, reclamation and restoration activities associated with a placer mining operation.  All work would be performed in accordance with the enclosed plan (sheets 1-5), dated March 31, 2021.

Table 1: Permit Renewal for Work Authorized Under POA-1987-00725-M5, Using a Bucket Line Dredge

Table 2: New Work Proposed Using a Bucket Line Dredge

Table 3: New Work Proposed, Using Conventional Sluicing Methods

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.