A draft permit, fact sheet, and associated documents are available for review. For inquiries or to request copies of documents, contact:

DEC Contact:
Tim Pilon
610 University Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 451-2136
tim.pilon@alaska.gov

Public Notice Period:           
Start:   July 21, 2023
End:     August 19, 2023

Permit Number:
AK0062291

Applicant:     
Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc.
Jumbo Dome Mine
12 miles northeast of Healy Alaska
PO Box 1000
Healy, AK 99743

Permit Coverage:
Jumbo Dome Mine is a surface coal mine located about 12 miles northeast of Healy, Alaska. Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. operates the Jumbo Dome Mine. All the storm water and groundwater that contacts the active mine area is considered mine drainage. A blend of coal seam, seepage, and precipitation water is permitted to discharge into Marguerite Creek through three outfalls. Before discharge, wastewater is treated, involving primary and secondary settling, passive aeration, flow through a limestone bed, and a final settling pond.

Tentative Determination:
DEC has tentatively determined to issue a discharge permit to the above listed applicant.

Public Comments:
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on the APDES draft permit must be submitted within 30 days of the issuance of this public notice. Any person desiring to comment on the permit may submit comments electronically via the DEC public notice site (preferred) at https://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com?id=mFkuEST76. Alternatively, you may direct written comments and requests to the attention of the DEC contact/permit writer at the email address or postal address identified above.

All comments should include the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the commenter and a concise statement of comment on the permit condition(s) and the relevant facts upon which the comment is based. Comments of either support or concern that are directed at specific, cited permit requirements are appreciated. Mailed comments and requests must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice.

DEC will consider all comments when making the final decision and will respond to received comments in a Response to Comments document issued when DEC issues a final permit. The Response to Comments will be made available to the public.

Any interested person may submit a written request for a public hearing if no hearing has already been scheduled. A request for a public hearing shall state the nature of the issues to be raised, as well as the requester's name, address, telephone number, and email address. DEC will hold a public hearing whenever DEC finds, based on requests, that there is significant degree of public interest in a draft permit. DEC may also hold a public hearing if a hearing might clarify one or more issues involved in a permit decision or for other good reason in DEC’s discretion.

DEC will transmit the final permit, fact sheet (amended as appropriate), and Response to Comments to anyone who provided comments during the public review period or requested to be notified of DEC final decision.

DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS OR REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING
August 19, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ADT

Administrative Record:
The APDES permit modification, statement of basis, permittee’s modification request, and associated documents are available for public review at the DEC offices located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Please contact the office of your choice to arrange for hard copies of the documents to be available for your review.

If you would like further information or to see any additional supporting technical documents, contact Tim Pilon. The documents are also accessible from the DEC website at: http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/.

To receive email notifications about the APDES Program, including when permits are available to review, follow the link below to join the APDES email list. http://list.state.ak.us/mailman/listinfo/DEC-APDES/

Disability Reasonable Accommodation Notice
DEC complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need special accommodation to participate in this public process, please contact ADA Coordinator Megan Kohler at 907-269-4198 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.