The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 18, Chapter 72 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with wastewater treatment and disposal. The organization of the articles and sections within 18 AAC 72 are revised to provide better clarity of regulatory requirements by system type.

This supplemental public notice adding to the NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD that was issued on January 6, 2022.  This supplemental notice provides for an additional public hearing to supplement the one that was scheduled on February 3, 2022 due to an incorrect telephone number being listed in the original public notice. The public comment period will be extended 30 days to accommodate an additional public hearing and will end March 20, 2022.

You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, here https://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=tpEKg Written comments may also be submitted to Tonya Bear, DEC Division of Water at 610 University Avenue. Fairbanks, Alaska. 99709. Additionally, DEC will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 451-2188 and by electronic mail at tonya.bear@alaska.gov. The comments must be received no later than 11:59 pm on March 20, 2022. View previous comments here https://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=rtFfj

You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action at the supplemental public hearing to be held on March 3, 2022.  Instructions for attending can be found on the Engineering Support and Plan Review website at https://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/engineering/

There will not be in-person attendance provided at the hearing site, so please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone only. The additional public meeting and hearing is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and priority will be given to commenters on the line before the beginning of the hearing. The hearing may be extended to accommodate those on the line before 5:30 p.m., who did not have an opportunity to comment.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Tonya Bear by electronic mail at Tonya.Bear@alaska.gov or to Tonya Bear, DEC Division of Water at 610 University Avenue Fairbanks, Alaska 99709. All questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. DEC will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on https://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/engineering/2022-regulation-updates/ DEC may, but is not required to, answer written questions received after the 10-day cut-off date and before the end of the comment period.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation to participate in this process, please contact Claire Fishwick at (907) 269-7660 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973 /TTY or dial 711 no later than February 24, 2022 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

A copy of the proposed regulation changes are available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Tonya Bear, tonya.bear@alaska.gov or (907) 451-2177. A copy of material proposed for adoption may be viewed at the agency's office locations in Fairbanks, Wasilla, Anchorage, Soldotna, and Juneau.

After the public comment period ends, DEC will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action.  The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations.  You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.  Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.

Statutory Authority:  AS 37.10.052; AS 44.46.020; AS 44.46.025; AS 46.03.020; AS 46.03.050; AS 46.03.060; AS 46.03.070; AS 46.03.080; AS 46.03.100; AS 46.03.110; AS 46.03.120; AS 46.03.365; AS 46.03.710; AS 46.03.720; AS 46.30.040

Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific: AS 46.03.010; AS 46.03.060; AS 46.03.100; AS 46.03.110; AS 46.03.120; AS 46.03.365; AS 46.03.710; AS 46.03.720; AS 46.30.040

Fiscal Information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation. 

February 14, 2022                 
/s/
Jason W. Brune, Commissioner