PUBLIC NOTICE
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Wastewater Discharge Authorization Program/§401 Certification
555 Cordova Street, Anchorage AK9501-2617
Phone: 907-269-6285 | Email: DEC-401Cert@alaska.gov

Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Public Notice (PN) Date: December 6, 2023              PN Reference Number: ER-23-01 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: January 7, 2024                                             Waterway: Akutan 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=NgmKbkeFZ on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: USACE, Christopher Hoffman, CEPOA-PMC-E (Christopher Hoffman) P.O. Box 6898,  JBER, AK 99506; (907) 753-5524; Christopher.a.hoffman@usace.army.mil.

Project Name: Akutan Harbor Navigational Improvements

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 1, T. 70S, R. 111W; Seward Meridian; in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude):  54.14685, -165.62344. With potential discharge location(s) as follows: Dredging Activities to develop the harbor turning basin, navigation channel, and a construction access channel.  54.148983, -165.616821; Breakwater 54.148983, -165.616821; Temporary construction pad 54.148983, -165.616821, Dredged Material Placement Site 54.147579, -165.609258. 

Purpose: The purpose is to identify feasible navigational improvements that provide for the safe, reliable, and efficient (cost-effective) transportation of passengers and cargo between the Akutan Airport on Akun Island and community of Akutan located on Akutan Island.

Project Description: The project intends to create a protected moorage for a ferry vessel that will transport people and cargo between the community of Akutan and its airfield on Akun Island. The recommended plan includes construction of a harbor in Surf Bay consisting of a 450-foot-long rubble-mound breakwater; a 120-foot by 120-foot mooring basin; and a -13-foot MLLW deep entrance channel. Also included in the project are a mooring basin and dolphins, pile-supported dock, a small pad for parking and freight loading/unloading, and a road connecting the pad to an area near the Surf Bay Inn.

Approximately 1.60 acres of surface area would be filled. Fill includes:

• Approximately 115,000 cubic yards (CYs) of terrestrial fill (coarse sand and gravel from on-island sources) for the construction of a temporary construction pad;
• Approximately 14,000 CYs of quarry rock (C- and B-rock and armor stone) for construction of the breakwater; and,
• Approximately 45,000 CYs of aggregate material for upland road construction.

There would also be dredging to develop the harbor turning basin, navigation channel, and access channel. Approximately 9,840 CYs of material would be dredged across 1.12 acres. The dredged material placement site would be located at approximately 54.147579, -165.609258.

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.