Public Notice (PN) Date: January 31, 2023          PN Reference Number: POA-2017-00077 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: February 19, 2023               Waterway: Ward Cove

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=AkCJQ on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant:   Boyer Towing, Mike Cloudy, PO Box 8000 Ketchikan, AK 99901; (907) 225-2090; engineering@boyertowing.com.

Agent:    Western Dock and Bridge, Sever Paulson, 777 Main Street Ketchikan, AK 99901; (907) 247-1777; sever@westerndockandbridge.com.

Project Name: Reduction Point Barge Mooring and Yard Improvements

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 33/34, T. T74S, R. R90E; Copper River Meridian; in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude):  55.40330, -131.72045. With potential discharge location(s) as follows: Backfill behind concrete bulkhead -131.7204, 55.4031; Surfacing on loading ramp -131.7205, 55.4029.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to continue improvements to the owner's property in support of their barge and tugboat business.  The additional moorage will allow for them to secure barges at their property.  This is needed due to the new cruise ship traffic in Ward Cove and the loss of the outer barge mooring buoy during cruise ship season as a result.

The barge loading bulkhead will serve the purpose of allowing materials and equipment to be loaded onto the owner's barges to further serve their customers.  The ramp improvements are needed to stop erosion of the ramp and provide better traction for vehicles using it. 

Project Description: The applicant proposes install an additional five dolphins to continue the pier line along the property.  This project will also install up to seven piles to secure a floating dock on the shoreside of the mooring piles.   This project will also install an approximately 35-foot-wide x 25-foot deep barge loading bulkhead.  This will consist of sixteen 12-inch steel H piles installed in drilled rock sockets, a poured concrete backwall and approximately 350 cubic yards of backfill. 

Improvements will also be made to the existing barge loading ramp.  This includes installing twelve concrete and steel bridge deck panels to prevent further erosion of the ramp and provide better traction for vehicles using the ramp.  The applicant proposes to improve mooring and erosion control in support of a mooring/loading facility.

This will be accomplished through the installation of:

• An additional five 24-inch or 36-inch dolphins to continue the pier line along the property.
• Up to seven 16-inch piles to secure a 6-foot by 180-foot floating dock on the shoreside of the mooring piles.
• Approximately 35-foot wide by 25-foot-deep barge loading bulkhead, which will consist of sixteen (16) 12-inch steel H piles installed in drilled rock sockets, a poured concrete backwall and approximately 400 cubic yards of backfill (350 cubic yards clean shot rock and 50 cubic yards stacked rip rap).
• Twelve concrete and steel bridge deck panels to prevent further erosion of the ramp.
• A 6-foot by 70-foot aluminum gangway and 20-foot by 20-foot floating dock.

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 Claire Fishwick at  907-465-5066 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 prior to the expiration date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.