Public Notice (PN) Date: September 26, 2023               PN Reference Number: ER-PN-23-004
PN Expiration Date: October 16, 2023                          Waterway: St. Paul Harbor

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 https://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=9MZcNWfVg  on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: USACE, AK District, Matthew Ferguson, 2203 Third St JBER, AK 99506; (907) 753-2711; matthew.w.ferguson@usace.army.mil.

Project Name: St. Paul Harbor

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 25, T. 35S, R. 132W; Seward Meridian; in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude):  57.12578, -170.28120. With potential discharge location(s) as follows (Latitude, Longitude): Dredge 140 kcy 57.126066, -170.282163; Construct scour hole repair 57.128174, -170.285940; Construct reef repair 57.126472, -170.289473.

Purpose: The objective of the project is to maintain the safe navigation and access to the St. Paul Harbor.

Project Description: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District (USACE) proposes to (1) dredge up to 140,000 cubic yards of silty sand from the main entrance channel, main maneuvering area, small boat harbor entrance channel, small boat harbor mooring and maneuvering area, and sediment management area, (2) place up to 32,000 cubic yards of rock to repair the main breakwater energy dissipation reefs, and (3) place up to 8,000 cubic yards of rock to construct channel scour protection in the main entrance channel and small boat harbor entrance channel.

The dredged material would be placed in upland locations to be used beneficially by the City of Saint Paul. Dredging would affect up to 31.2-acres and rock placement would affect up to 4.2-acres of the seafloor in the St. Paul Harbor. The dredged material has been tested and determined to be acceptable for upland placement and beneficial reuse in the designated locations.

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 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.