Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Public Notice (PN) Date: June 4, 2024           PN Reference Number: POA-2023-00175 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: July 1, 2024                                                        Waterway: Pearl 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 received0F0F[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 via email to the DEC email address: DEC-401Cert@alaska.gov with the subject line referencing Public Notice Reference Number: POA-2023-00175 v1.0 on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: State of Alaska - DOT&PF, Kerri Martin, 2301 Peger Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709, (907) 451-5289; kerri.martin@alaska.gov

Project Name: Pearl Creek Elementary School – Pearl Creek Elementary School Access Improvements and Plug-Ins (CMAQ)

Dates of the proposed activity is planned to begin and end: 07/01/2024 to 08/01/2025

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 30, T. 001N, R. 001W, Fairbanks Meridian, in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska.  Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 64.891340, -147.81468.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to repave the existing parking lot and extend a second driveway into Pearl Creek Elementary to mitigate congestion during student pick-up and drop-off times which will reduce vehicle wait time. The project will also provide electrical plug-ins for preheating motor vehicles during cold temperatures; the addition of these plug-ins will reduce vehicle idling times and cold engine starts. The decrease in congestion will reduce the time vehicles will be idling in a queue and installation of electrical plug-ins will decrease emissions. Together these improvements will reduce vehicle fuel consumption, emissions, and engine wear.

Description of Proposed Work: The proposed driveway installation and parking lot upgrades consist of 1.30 acres of permanent impacts from the discharge of approximately 8,000 cubic yards of fill and 0.70 acres of temporary impacts for fill in slopes as well as clearing limits into waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). This access improvement project includes restriping of the parking lot, installation of new electrical vehicle plug-ins, utility relocates, new sign installation, cleaning and reconditioning of ditches, culvert installation on new and existing pavement, and vegetation clearing and grubbing. The project is scheduled to begin construction summer 2024 and estimated to be completed fall 2025.

Other project activities include:

• Utility Work:
  • Installation of new vehicle electrical plug-ins
  • Relocation of electric utilities
• New sign installation:
  • To guide busses and parents to the appropriate pick-up/drop-off locations
  • Circulation
• Designated student loading zone signage
  • ADA temporary parking signs
  • Installation of a gate to separate passenger vehicle and bus pick-up/drop-off lane traffic and operations.
• Pavement Upgrades:
  • Paving a new parking lot
  • Restriping of parking lot to include 117 angled parking stalls, ADA parking stalls, and directional arrows.
• Curb and gutter for new sidewalks.
  • New driveway access from Auburn Drive and repave existing access drive to cul-de -sac.
  • Double yellow striping within school zone on Auburn Drive
  • Crosswalk striping on Auburn Drive and from parking lot to school.
• Drainage Improvements:
  • Evaluate existing ditches for capacity and regrade as necessary.
  • Culvert replacement/installation on new and existing driveways
• Vegetation clearing and grubbing.
• Create vegetative buffers in previously paved areas and maintain as much vegetation as feasible when constructing the new parking lot.

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: Multiple driveway alternatives were considered during the development of the design. Some alternatives were placed in the adjacent uplands however these options were not considered a safe route for buses and/or didn't meet the purpose and need of the project. The driveway alignment was adjusted to avoid as many wetlands as possible while still meeting the purpose and need of the project.
2. Minimization: - A new driveway alignment was adjusted to minimize wetland impacts while maintaining driveway geometry requirements.
3. The embankment slopes have been designed to minimize wetland impacts by using 3:1 slopes. 4:1 slopes are used on many roads because it is a recoverable slopes. Since this is a driveway with slow travel speeds, 3:1 slopes were selected which has a smaller wetland impacts than 4:1 slopes.
4. Mitigation: - Existing drainage patterns will be maintained or enhanced wherever possible, including installation of cross-drainage culverts. Culvert quantity and placement are above hydraulic requirements. Culvert installations will improve water quality by reducing scour and erosion, reduce flooding, and maintain hydrological connectivity, resulting in ecological uplift for existing wetlands adjacent to the roadway.

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.