Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification
Public Notice (PN) Date: December 19, 2023 PN Reference Number: POA-2011-00328-M1 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: January 21, 2024 Waterway: Sagavanirktok River
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=5Eb89pfmM on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.
Applicant: Alaska Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilities, Kerri Martin, 2301 Peger Road Fairbanks, AK 99709; (907) 451-5289; kerri.martin@alaska.gov.
Agent: ADOT, William Sexton, 2301 Peger Road Anchorage, AK 99709; (907) 451-2605; william.sexton@alaska.gov.
Project Name: Deadhorse Airport Improvements
Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 24, 25, 26, 36, T. 10 N, R. 14 E; Umiat Meridian; in North Slope Borough, Alaska. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 70.20000, -148.45677. With potential discharge location(s) as follows (Latitude, Longitude): Airport fill material -148.456773, 70.200000.
Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to correct safety and operational deficiencies at the existing Deadhorse Airport, bringing the airport into current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards (Part 139 Safety Enhancement) and design criteria identified in the Alaska Statewide Transportation Plan and Alaska Aviation System Plan.
Project Description: The project will correct safety and operational deficiencies at Deadhorse Airport, which is the primary air transportation hub for passengers and air cargo service for area population centers (Nuiqsut, Kaktovik and Utqiagvik) as well as the primary hub for arrival and departure of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield workforce via commercial airlines and private aircraft.
Work consists of construction of a perimeter road with fence, material source haul road, culvert replacement, removal, or modification, and the filling of existing drainage areas located adjacent to the airport runway.
Specifically, the project will replace existing failed culverts and rehabilitate the road at Deadhorse Airport and along Deadhorse Way. Airport Taxiway lighting, and utilities will be replaced or relocated for drainage improvement. Infield drainage ponds will be regraded and removed, reducing bird collision hazards to aircraft. A new, full airport perimeter road and fence with gates will be constructed to act as a physical barrier preventing terrestrial wildlife from accessing the airport and eliminating potential aircraft collisions that currently compromise the safety of all airport users. A permanent access road to an existing and operational material site will be constructed to facilitate safe and efficient material haul to the airport.
The project will place 722,700 cubic yards of gravel, resulting in the fill of 78.6 acres of wetlands.
Additional Information: The FAA issued their final Environmental Assessment (EA) and subsequent Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on September 1, 2023. These documents and other project information can be viewed at: https://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/deadhorse.
Applicant Proposed Mitigation: The applicant provided the following mitigation statement regarding avoidance, minimization, and compensation for impacts to waters of the United States from activities involving discharges of dredged or fill material:
Avoidance: On-airport winter snow storage basins initially were considered for filling but will remain unfilled and serve as sedimentation basins and water storage ponds to improve water quality of snowmelt runoff passing through the drainage system to surrounding wetlands. Fill areas will be surveyed and staked prior to ground disturbance with marking maintained for the duration of wetland construction to further avoid impacts to wetlands. Fill material will be stockpiled within proposed fill footprints to avoid impacting additional wetlands. One-hundred-foot buffers from surface waters, drainage ditches and isolated standing water will be maintained for equipment fueling and maintenance to avoid spills to wetlands. The project is sited to avoid new wetland impacts by incorporating previously disturbed areas, existing fill embankments, existing drainages, and existing infrastructure where practicable.
Minimization: Proposed airport action is designed with minimal dimensions sufficient for the proposed purpose and need to improve the operational deficiencies and safety at the Deadhorse Airport. Side slopes of embankment fill are designed as steeply as geotechnical and engineering considerations allow for utility, stability, and safety of the embankments minimizing footprint. Culvert improvements and grading proposed for existing wetland infield ponds and drainage ditches along Deadhorse Way, and airport infields will partially mitigate existing deficiencies to wetland function by restoring and improving connectivity to surrounding wetlands of Sagavanirktok River, Colleen Lake, and Prudhoe Bay drainages. Disturbed ground will be recontoured, stabilized, and seeded to prevent erosion. Contractor will abide by the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, Construction General Permit and implement a Hazardous Materials Control Plan, follow the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) approved Contaminated Sites Management Plan (CSMP), Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, and the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan to avoid and minimize impacts to surrounding wetlands from turbidity and sediment runoff. Soil samples were collected at proposed excavation sites of nine culverts within the airport and seven culverts on Deadhorse Drive. Hazardous materials encountered will be managed under an ADEC-approved CSMP to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential contamination migration to receiving waters. All wetland fill and material handling in and around contaminated sites must also be in compliance with the CSMP.
Compensation: No wetland compensatory mitigation is proposed for this action. There are no wetland Mitigation Banks in the area, nor are there any in-lieu-fee programs available. The proposed airport improvements will address mandated safety and operational concerns and restore productive drainage to the airport property, while maintaining and improving the water quality of the surrounding wetland complexes.
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.