Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Public Notice (PN) Date: January 17, 2024     PN Reference Number: POA-2023-00242 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: February 18, 2024                                              Waterway: Long Creek

Any applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct an activity that might result in a discharge into waters of the United States, in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), must also apply for and obtain certification from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation that the discharge will comply with the CWA and the Alaska Water Quality Standards (18 AAC 70). The scope of certification is limited to the water quality-related impacts from the activity subject to the Federal license or permit (40 CFR 121.3, 18 AAC 15.180).

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[1] for the discharge of dredged and/or fill materials into waters of the United States (WOTUS), 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=7NhAif6a4 on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: Wolf Constructors Inc. (W.C.I.), Ray Wolf, PO Box 11118, Bozeman, MT 59719, (406) 595-9653; Ray@wolfconstructors.com

Project Name: Long Creek Wolf Placer Mining

Dates of the proposed activity is planned to begin and end:

Location: The project site is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Petersville in Section 14, Township 28 North, Range 9 West, Latitude 62.515969° North, Longitude - 150.904408° West, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.

Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to placer mine Long Creek to capture the findings of gold on their registered claim in ADL 800204.

Description of Proposed Work: The proposed work would involve placer mining along a portion of Long Creek in ADL 800204 for a period of 5-years. The project would impact approximately 12-acres along Long Creek. Exploration would be conducted solely through drilling. The project would involve mechanical placer mining, mechanical dredging, and suction dredging. Dredging is expected to occur at various locations in the stream within the registered claim. Also, a 25 ft x 8 ft cobble pad would be constructed at the site for the placement of the trommel. The entire work area would be bermed to isolate the work area from the stream. Berms would be set back from the stream by 2 ft. A settlement pond and a recirculate pond would also be constructed to support the operation. The recirculate pond would be gravity fed back to Long Creek. Water supply for the operation would be provided through the construction of a water diversion that would draw water from Long Creek when needed. A 12-inch head gate with fish screen (1/8 inch spacing) would be used at the entrance of the water diversion. Water would be returned back to Long Creek from the recirculate pond via an ADS pipe French drain that will also have a fish screen (1/8 inch spacing). The course of Long Creek would not be altered by the water diversion or project. All disturbed areas will be reclaimed and revegetated after mining is completed at the site.

An estimated 48,000 CY of Gravel and overburden will be discharged into an estimated 5 acres of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). 

Additional Information:  The proposed project will require the following additional authorizations: ADF&G Fish Habitat Permit for work in an anadromous stream (granted), Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (granted), and APMA Miscellaneous Land Use Permit (granted).

Applicant Proposed Mitigation: The applicant proposes the following mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, and compensate for impacts to waters of the United States from activities involving discharges of dredged or fill material.

1. Avoidance: Due to the nature of the proposed activity complete avoidance of aquatic resources is not possible. For mining exploration drilling will be used instead of trenching, which will minimize unnecessary impacts to resources. Also, the course of Long Creek will not be altered, as mining will be conducted around the location of the stream.
2. Minimization: Existing roads will be used to access the mine site, which will limit impacts. The entire work area will be bermed to isolate the mining area from Long Creek to prevent erosion and sediment transport. A settling pond will also be used to capture sediment from the water used before the water is returned to the stream. Fish screens with 1/8 inch spacing will also be used to prevent fish from becoming entrained into the water diversion and mining operation.
3. Compensatory Mitigation: The applicant has proposed no compensatory mitigation because the course of Long Creek will not be altered, and all disturbed areas will be reclaimed after mining of the area is completed.

After reviewing the application, the Department will evaluate whether the activity will comply with applicable water quality requirements (any limitation, standard, or other requirement under sections 301, 302, 306, and 307 of the CWA, any Federal and state laws or regulations implementing those sections, and any other water quality-related requirement of state law). The Department may certify (or certify with conditions) with reasonable assurance the activity and any discharge that might result will comply with water quality requirements. 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.