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’ PN Reference Number indicated above 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 project figures/drawings. The public notice and related project figures/drawings are accessible from the DEC website at http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/.

To comment on the project or request for a public hearing with respect to water quality, submit comments electronically via the DEC public notice site at https://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=PZ8Br on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (Heidi Zimmer), Central Region, 4111 Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99519.

Project Name: POA-2022-00248 Anchor River ADOT Sterling Highway MP 157-169 Rehabilitation

Location: The project site is located within Sections 18, 19, 20, 29, and 32, T. 5 S., R. 14 W., Sections 4, 5, 9, 15, and 16, T. 6 S., R. 14 W., Sections 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, and 13, T. 5 S., T. 15 W., Seward Meridian; USGS Quad Map Seldovia C-5; Latitude 59.728808º N., Longitude 151.723928º W.; Sterling Highway Milepost 157 to 169, near Anchor Point, Alaska.

Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to restore structural integrity, reduce congestion, and improve the drivability and safety of the Sterling Highway from mile post (MP) 157 to MP 169.

Project Description: The applicant requests authorization to discharge 109,800 cubic yards of borrow material, 3,800 cubic yards of stream substrate, and 700 cubic yards of riprap fill material into 14.5 acres (35,704 linear feet) of waters of the United States, including wetlands for the following highway improvements:

1. Rehabilitate the roadway;
2. Replace the existing culverts at North Fork Anchor River with a new bridge;
3. Replace the Anchor River Bridge with a new bridge;
4. Realign vertical and horizontal curves and modify grades to improve sight distance and upgrade the roadway to current highway design standards;
5. Construct passing and climbing lanes;
6. Improve turning movements and sight distance at intersections by construction ofright/left turn lanes and realigning side roads
7. Widen shoulders
8. Install erosion control measures
9. Clear vegetation
10. Repair, replace or improve as needed existing culverts, including fish passage culverts; erosion protection; drainage facilities; utilities; guardrail and guardrail end treatments; approaches; signing; and striping.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The applicant would require an Alaska Department of Fish and Game Title 16 Fish Habitat Permit and a Kenai Peninsula Borough Multi-agency authorization.

APPLICANT PROPOSED MITIGATION: The applicant proposes the following mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, and compensate for impacts to waters of the United States from activities involving discharges of dredged or fill material.

1. Avoidance: The proposed project was designed to avoid work within waters of the U.S. to the maximum extent practicable; however, total avoidance of wetland impacts was not possible because the existing roadway alignment is typically bounded on one side by the Anchor River and on the other side by wetlands. Realignment of the highway outside of wetlands areas is not reasonable or feasible due to the prohibitive costs of construction and widespread distribution of wetlands along the western Kenai Peninsula.

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 Jason Burnett at 907-269-3056 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.