A Fact Sheet and associated documents are available for review. For inquiries or to request copies of documents, contact Nick Dallman at 610 University Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99709; 907-451-2142; or nicholas.dallman@alaska.gov
Draft Permit Public Notice Period:
Start: 3/14/2024
Expiration: 4/15/2024
Permit Number:
AKG374000
Permit Name: Norton Sound Large Dredge Placer Miners General Permit
Proposed Permit Coverage:
The permit authorizes discharges of wastewater from suction dredges with intake diameters greater than 10 inches; suction dredge operations with a combination of intake hoses that have a combined intake area greater than 78 square inches; and mechanical dredges. The permit provides coverage for discharges to marine waters of Norton Sound up to three nautical miles offshore between Cape Rodney at 166°24’09” west longitude and Cape Darby at 162°46’54” west longitude with certain restrictions. Coverage does not include discharges to fresh or estuarine waters.
Tentative Determination:
DEC has tentatively determined to reissue a discharge permit for the activity described above.
Public Comments:
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on the APDES draft permit must be submitted prior to the expiration of this public notice. Any person desiring to comment on the permit may submit comments electronically (preferred) at https://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=RbUT89CSu
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, on the basis of requests, a 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, 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:
4/15/2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Administrative Record:
The APDES draft permit, fact sheet, permit application, and associated documents are available for public review at the DEC offices located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Soldotna, and Wasilla. Please contact the office of your choice to arrange for hard copies of the documents to be available for your review.
555 Cordova Street Anchorage, AK 99501 907-269-6285 | 610 University Avenue Fairbanks, AK 99709 907-451-2100 | PO Box 1800 Juneau, AK 99811-1800 Location: 410 Willoughby Street, Suite 303, Juneau, AK 907-465-5300 |
43335 Kalifornsky Beach Road Soldotna, AK 99615 907-262-5210 | 1700 E Bogard Road #B, Suite #103 Wasilla, AK 99654 907-376-1850 |
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, subscribe to the APDES email list at http://list.state.ak.us/mailman/listinfo/DEC-APDES/.
Disability Reasonable Accommodation Notice:
The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact Claire Fishwick at 907-465-5871 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 prior to the expiration of this notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.