Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Public Notice (PN) Date: December 19, 2024               PN Reference Number: POA-1998-00324 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: January 19, 2025                                                   Waterway: Dutch Harbor

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 of 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 via (preferred method) DEC website https://dec.alaska.gov/commish/public-notices/ or via email to the DEC email address: DEC-401Cert@alaska.gov with the subject line referencing Public Notice Reference Number: POA-1998-00324 v1.0 or on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: City of Unalaska, Scott Brown, PO Box 610, Unalaska, AK 99685, (907) 561-1011; sbrown@ci.unalaska.ak.us

Agent: PND Engineers, Inc., Baila Kunesova, 1506 W. 36th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99503; (907) 646-2762; bkunesova@pndengineers.com.

Project Name: Unalaska/Dutch Harbor Screeding – Screeding at UMC Dock

Dates of the proposed activity are planned to begin and end: 07/01/2025 to 09/30/2025

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 26, T. 72S, R. 117W, Seward Meridian, in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska.  Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 53.907200, -166.50960.

Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to provide additional berthing capacity within Dutch Harbor at the Unalaska Marine Center (UMC) Dock. UMC dock provides Unalaska and surrounding remote communities with essential cargo, passenger, and port services. The current depth at MLLW measures 40 feet alongside the berthing area. This depth limits the vessels' draft that can safely moor at the UMC dock. Screeding small quantities from the berthing area will expand dock capabilities by allowing deeper draft vessels to access the dock.

Description of Proposed Work: Screeding is a dredging method that moves materials from shallower areas of a waterbody to deeper areas without removing any materials above water. The target screeding elevation for the UMC dock is -45.0’, with a maximum over-screed depth of -47.0’. Armor stone is located at the southwest end of the dock for slope protection. The armor stone may be removed and replaced as required to ensure adequate slope protection. New imported material will not exceed a total project quantity of 490 cubic yards (CY). Existing armor stone will be salvaged for reuse, if possible. The UMC dock shall maintain full capacity during screeding operations.

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: The waterbody cannot be completely avoided because screeding is dependent on marine access. However, screeding will be completed from the dock and will not require an in-water excavator.
2. Minimization: Screeding will be kept to the minimum quantity necessary to meet project purposes. The contractor will comply with local, state, and federal water quality standards. The dock will be maintained in a manner that does not introduce any pollutants or debris into the harbor.
3. Mitigation:

• Fuels, lubricants, and other hazardous substances will not be stored below the high tide line.
• Oil booms will be reading available should any inadvertent releases occur.
• The contractor will check for leaks regularly on any equipment, hoses, and fuel storage used at the project site.
• All chemical and petroleum products will be properly stored and secured to prevent spills.
• No petroleum products, cement, chemicals, or other deleterious materials will be allowed to enter surface waters.
• Waste and debris will be secured in the bin with a lid to prevent inadvertent release into the harbor.

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. To inquire about or 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 Mike Kruzinski at 907-334-0884, Mike.Kruzinski@alaska.gov or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 at least 3 days prior to the expiration/closure date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.