Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Public Notice (PN) Date: March 10, 2025       PN Reference Number: POA-2023-00473 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: April 11, 2025                                                 Waterway: Glacier 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 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 a public hearing with respect to water quality, submit comments via (preferred method) DEC website https://dec.alaska.gov/commish/public-notices/ or email to the DEC email address: DEC-401Cert@alaska.gov with the subject line referencing Public Notice Reference Number: POA-2023-00473 v1.0 or on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: Pomeroy Lodging, Willam Laurie, 707 7 Ave SW #810, Calgary, AB T2P 3H6, (289) 260-4048; willaml@pomeroylodging.com

Project Name: Alyeska Prince Addition, Tract B, Frag Lot 9

The dates of the proposed activity are planned to begin and end: 08/26/2025 to 08/01/2026

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 9, T. 10N, R. 2E, Seward Meridian, in Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. 07504144000. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 60.970212, -149.10186.

Purpose: The purpose of this project, particularly as it relates to structures impacting wetlands, is twofold: to address Girdwood’s urgent need for workforce housing and to create a new community recreation center in partnership with the YMCA of Alaska.

Workforce Housing: Girdwood has long faced a housing crisis, with a critical shortage of dedicated workforce housing for its community. Unlike traditional workforce housing projects that cater solely to employees of specific businesses, the proposed development is designed to welcome a diverse group of residents, fostering a vibrant and inclusive community. The development will offer employee housing tailored to meet the needs of individuals, couples, and families.

Notably, some units will be among the most affordable in Girdwood, providing stable, long-term rentals in newly constructed homes. This approach not only meets a pressing housing need but also creates a sense of security and belonging for residents, contributing to the long-term sustainability and vitality of the community. The wetland-impacting structure will add approximately 86 dedicated workforce housing units to Girdwood.

Community Recreation Center: The proposed recreation center, a collaboration with the YMCA of Alaska, aims to significantly enhance the quality of life in Girdwood by addressing critical community needs and fostering greater cohesion. This facility will include a much-needed public pool and fitness center, filling a longstanding gap in local recreational amenities. These additions will promote health, wellness, and social interaction, offering residents a space to connect and stay active.

Furthermore, the open-air covered ice rink is set to become a cherished community gathering place. Designed to withstand Girdwood's frequent rainstorms, this multi-use space will cater to the region's love for hockey and provide a venue for year-round recreation and socialization.

Description of Proposed Work: The wetlands impacted by the proposed development are located within the Alyeska Prince Addition, Tract B, Frag Lot 9, at 1001 Arlberg Avenue, Girdwood, Alaska. The total wetlands impact area for the proposed development is 47,400 square feet.

The Project Proposes to place 8,800 cubic yards of type II/IIA fill type in 1.09 acres of palustrine wetlands to construct approximately 86 units and commercial space. Work footprint includes:

• House building footprint: 17,000 square feet (approximately 8,678 square feet in wetlands).
• Recreational facility (YMCA of Alaska) footprint: 38,112 square feet (19,000 square feet of wetlands).
• Main Street, two parking lots, and single pedestrian walkway footprint: 19,722 square feet of wetlands.
• Wetlands impacted: 1.09 acres (47,400 square feet), the remaining 1.36 acres of wetlands within Tract B, Frag Lot 9 would remain undisturbed.

The development within the wetlands area will include two structures: a purpose-built rental workforce housing building and a recreation center featuring an aquatic center, fitness center, and open-air covered ice rink. Additionally, the project will include associated roadways, pedestrian walkways, and parking areas.

The first structure is a purpose-built rental workforce housing building, designed to include approximately 86 residential units and 6,050 square feet of commercial space. The building will have a total footprint of about 17,000 square feet and will be constructed on approximately 4 inches of structural fill. 8,678 square feet, or half of the building's footprint, will be situated on wetlands.

The second structure is a recreational facility to be constructed by the YMCA of Alaska. This facility will include a fitness center, aquatic center, and ice rink, with a total footprint of approximately 38,112 square feet. The structure will be built on imported Type II/IIA fill material, with 19,000 square feet, or half of its footprint, located on wetlands.

The roadways, pedestrian walkways, and parking areas associated with these buildings will be constructed on approximately 36 inches of imported Type II/IIA fill material. 19,722 square feet of these features will be located on wetlands.

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: Avoidance of wetlands is not feasible due to the proposed project designs and no practicable alternatives.
2. Minimization: To minimize impacts while allowing the project to achieve its purpose, Pomeroy Lodging plans to place utilities within the affected area beneath the proposed road, reducing disturbances to adjacent wetlands. Additionally, Pomeroy Lodging will adhere to the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and implement control measures to manage stormwater pollution and minimize impacts to nearby waters of the U.S. Pomeroy acknowledges the necessity of compensatory mitigation for the filling of 1.09 acres of jurisdictional wetlands.
3. Mitigation: Pomeroy Lodging intends to work with USACE to purchase wetland credits from the Portage Reserve Wetlands Mitigation Bank or preserve wetlands on another Pomeroy owned property under a deed restriction.

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.