PUBLIC NOTICE
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Wastewater Discharge Authorization Program/§401 Certification
555 Cordova Street, Anchorage AK 99501-2617
Phone: 907-269-6285 | Email: DEC-401Cert@alaska.gov

Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Public Notice (PN) Date: August 8, 2025                PN Reference Number: POA-2025-00119 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: September 8, 2025                                          Waterway: Stephens Passage

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, the 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-2025-00119 v1.0 or on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: Turnagain Marine Construction, Joseph Lyman, 5050 Cordova Street; Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99503, (360) 483-3801; jlyman@turnagain.us

Project Name: Douglas Island Cruise Ship Terminal Project

Dates of the proposed activity are planned to begin and end: 04/01/2026 to 04/01/2029

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 29-32, T. 041S, R. 66E, Copper River Meridian, in the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska.  Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 58.284080, -134.67580.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to construct two cruise ship berths on Douglas Island that can safely accommodate a class of increasingly larger cruise ships docking in Southeast Alaska. The proposed development also includes the onshore visitor attraction development and associated infrastructure necessary to support the cruise ship operations.

Description of Proposed Work: Turnagain Marine Construction (Turnagain) is proposing to construct two separate cruise ship berths and associated facilities on the western shore of Douglas Island in Stephens Passage, approximately 15 kilometers (km) northwest of downtown Juneau, Alaska. The proposed cruise ship terminal would provide a safe harbor for cruise ships and accommodate passengers during the Southeast Alaska visitor season (late-April to mid-October), as well as assist in the reduction of congestion in downtown Juneau. Goldbelt, Inc. is the landowner, and Solstice Alaska Consulting, Inc. is providing permitting support.

The project would involve both onshore placement of fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands, to construct visitor attractions and offshore construction of moorage facilities and utilities in navigable waters. Work and placement of dredged and/or fill material below the high tide line (approximate elevation +20.6 feet above the 0.0 foot contour) (HTL) includes the installation of steel pilings below the Mean High Water Mark (approximate elevation +15.3 feet above the 0.0 foot contour) (MHW) to support two pile supported cruise ship berths, multi-use harbor, concrete boat launch and dock, and tour boat return dock, including waste water outfall and water intake structures.

The Douglas Island Cruise Ship Terminal Project consists of offshore and adjacent onshore development. Offshore components of the proposed project include two new 500-foot (ft) by 50-ft cruise ship berths, a seaplane base, a multi-use harbor, a small boat launch, and a tour boat return. The offshore development would require the placement of 120 temporary and 345 permanent pilings, and dredging and grading to place offshore utilities. Onshore components of the proposed project would consist of parking and access roads, staff accommodations, visitor attractions, trails, lodging, and facilities to support the offshore development. This would occur over a three-year phased installation starting in spring of 2026. This project is a multiphase project expected to last no more than 2 years for offshore development and no more than 5 years for onshore development.

Offshore development:

Phase I of the offshore segment of the project would include installing the north berth dolphins and north berth trestle, and a portion of the south berth trestle.

Phase II would include installation of the remainder of the south berth trestle, south berth dolphins, multi-use harbor, tour boat return dock, concrete boat launch, and offshore utilities.

North Berth Dolphins and Trestle: The north berth is proposed to function as a cruise ship moorage and access point for onshore development. The proposed construction would include the following:

• 500 feet (ft) by 50 ft floating cruise ship dock
• 250 ft by 14 ft small boat float
• 860 ft long curved approach trestle
• 155 ft by 15 ft transfer span
• Four mooring dolphins
• Two float restraint dolphins
• A series of connecting catwalks
• Dock bull rail, fenders, mooring cleats, pre-cast concrete surface, covered passenger walkway, handrail, and mast lights (installed out of water)

Steel Pile Supports:

• Sixty-six (66) 36-inch diameter permanent steel pilings. Six of these piles would be above the HTL.
• Twenty-eight (28) 48-inch diameter permanent steel piles
• Sixty-two (62) 36-inch diameter temporary steel piles

South Berth: The south berth is proposed to serve as a cruise ship moorage and would provide access to onshore facilities and commercial marine tour operations. The south berth is comprised of the following:

• 500 ft by 50 ft floating cruise ship dock
• 250 ft by 14 ft small boat float
• 620 ft long curved approach trestle
• 155 ft by 15 ft transfer span
• Four mooring dolphins
• Two float restraint dolphins
• Series of connecting catwalks
• Dock bull rail, fenders, mooring cleats, pre-cast concrete surface, covered passenger walkway, handrail, and mast lights (installed out of water)

Steel pilings:

• Forty-eight (48) 36-inch diameter steel piles (15 of which would be installed above the HTL)
• Twenty-eight (28) 48-inch diameter steel piles
• Fifty (50) 36-inch diameter temporary piles to guide the permanent piles into place
• Dock bull rail, fenders, mooring cleats, pre-cast concrete surface, covered passenger walkway, handrail, and mast lights (installed out of water)

Utilities: The proposed water and wastewater treatment facility would be constructed within the upland area adjacent to the shoreline above the HTL. Drinking water intake pipe and a wastewater discharge pipe would be installed within the marine environment to support operational requirements.

• Intertidal zone: Installation would involve dredging a trench approximately 2 ft, 3 inches deep along each alignment. Pipes would be placed within these trenches and secured with concrete ballasts installed at 30-ft intervals. The total trenched area encompasses approximately 8,855 sq ft, including 5,845 sq ft for the water intake and 3,010 sq ft for the discharge line. Following pipe placement, the trenches would be backfilled and mounded with select bedding material (Type A), dredged seafloor material, and covered with a riprap berm to provide scour protection. The drinking water intake pipe would be within 835 ft of the intertidal zone. Wastewater pipes would be placed within 430 feet of the intertidal zone.
• Offshore: In the offshore zones, pipes would be laid directly on the seafloor and similarly secured using concrete pipe ballasts spaced every 30 ft. The drinking water intake would be within 115 ft offshore. 310 ft of wastewater pipes would be placed offshore.
• Dredged and fill material for the aforementioned work includes:
  • Dredging below the HTL (685 CY and 8,855 sq ft)

Multi-use harbor: The proposed multi-use harbor would consist of five interconnected floats designed to accommodate a small boat harbor, seaplane base, and a fuel dock serving commercial tour vessels and aircraft operating at the site. Access to the harbor would be provided by the following.

• 560 ft long approach trestle and a 100 ft long transfer span
• Interconnected floats
• One would be 325 ft by 20 ft
  • Two would be 270 ft by 20ft
  • Two would be 220 ft by 20 ft

• Dock bull rail, fenders, mooring cleats, and mast lights (installed out of water)

  Steel piling support:

• Sixty (60) 24-inch diameter steel piles
• Forty-two (42) 36-inch diameter steel piles (6 of which would be installed above HTL)
• Twenty-eight (28) 36-inch diameter temporary steel piles to guide the permanent pile into place.

Tour boat return dock: The proposed tour boat return dock is designed to serve as a temporary moorage facility for tour boats and as an access point for passengers returning from commercial marine tours. The dock system comprises the following components.

• Floating Dock: A 60-ft by 60-ft floating dock equipped with two 80-ft by 12-ft floats at each end.
• Approach Trestle: A 400-foot-long trestle providing access from the shore to the floating dock.
• Gangway: A 155-foot-long gangway connecting the floating dock to the shore.
• Dock bull rail, fenders, mooring cleats, pre-cast concrete surface, timber decking, covered passenger walkway, handrail, and mast lights (installed out of water)

Steel pile support:

• Twenty-two (22) 36-inch diameter temporary steel piles to guide the permanent piles into place
• Fifty-seven (57) 36-inch diameter steel piles (9 of which would be installed above HTL)

Concrete Boat Launch: The proposed concrete boat launch encompasses a 35-ft-wide precast concrete plank structure, designed to accommodate a single vehicle lane, a sidewalk, and a guardrail. The launch system integrates both fill-supported and pile-supported components to ensure structural integrity and functionality.

• Length and Elevation: The boat launch extends approximately 735 ft in length and is supported by structural fill extending to an elevation of approximately -10 feet (approximately 13 feet below Mean Lower Low Water [MLLW]).
  • 11, 860 cubic yards (cy) of structural fill below the HTL
  • 58, 548 square feet (sq ft) of slope protection below the HTL
• Fill and Grading: The area would be graded and backfilled to create the launch with 1:1.5 slopes, topped with approximately three feet of riprap for slope protection. This design would assist in ensuring stability and erosion resistance.
  • 21,160 sq ft of grading below the HTL

• Pile Support: Steel piles would be driven through the placed fill to support a float for temporary moorage, positioned atop the boat launch.
  • Sixteen (16) 24-inch diameter steel piles

  Onshore Wetland Development:

• Visitor Attractions:
  • Skybike Loop: The ride would consist of a 2,300-foot-long cable loop suspended 30 to 50 feet above ground level between structural towers.
  • Skybike support Towers: The loop would be supported by towers constructed of two 12-inch-diameter steel piles, with tower heights ranging from 20 to 80 feet depending on site topography. These piles would be spaced approximately 12 feet apart and would be installed to depths of 10 to 30 feet using either driven or drilled methods. Placement would occur in both uplands and wetlands.
  • Skybike guy Wires: Each tower would be stabilized with four guy wires anchored into the ground.
  • Viewing Platforms: Elevated viewing platforms would be installed along the ride, supported by 12-inch-diameter steel piles.
  • Mechanized land clearing: A clearance zone of up to 10 feet on either side of the cables and platforms would be established to accommodate the skybike infrastructure.
• Road and Trail Construction: A network of roads and trails are proposed to connect the various planned facilities. Several routes, specifically Launch Road, Coach Road, Return Road, Welcome Way, and Backhouse Way would include segments within wetlands and require associated impacts.
  • Road Design and Construction in Wetlands
  • Road segments located in wetlands would typically be of 32 ft wide, consisting of two 12-ft wide travel lanes and two 4-ft wide shoulders, with 3:1 side slopes and a 3% crown slope for drainage. The structural road section in wetlands would include:
    • A corduroy base composed of salvaged logs (where available)
    • Six feet of Type A select fill
    • Six inches of D-1 leveling course
    • Two inches of hot mix asphalt (HMA)

• Launch Road: Would be approximately 69,153 sq ft total, with 64,110 sq ft located in wetlands. This paved road would connect the Douglas Highway terminus to the G2 pad (boat launch and parking). A 50-ft-long, pile-supported single-span bridge over Peterson Creek is included. Riprap would be installed at both ends for scour protection, with impacts to areas below the ordinary high water mark (OHW) at the west abutment.
• Welcome Way: Would be approximately 85,747 square feet total, with 9,087 sqft located within wetlands. This road would connect Launch Road and Backhouse Way.
• Return Road: Would be approximately 71,447 square feet, located entirely within wetlands. It would connect Backhouse Way to the G1 pad (bus parking area). This route includes a 50-ft-long, pile-supported single-span bridge over Peterson Creek with riprap at both ends above and below OHW.
• Coach Road: Would be approximately 87,686 sq ft, entirely within wetlands. This route links the Douglas Highway terminus to the G1 pad.
• Backhouse Way: Would be approximately 89,608 sq ft total with 10,214 sq ft in wetlands. This road connects Welcome Way to Return Road, then extends south to intersect Bungalow Loop and Goldbelt Way.
• Culverts: would be strategically installed along these routes to ensure hydrologic connectivity and wetland drainage is maintained. Culverts located within upland areas would be trenched at appropriate intervals to preserve drainage and wetland connectivity. Culvert specifications, including diameter and burial depth, would vary by location, and each would be embedded in a minimum of six inches of bedding material. Utility corridors may be incorporated into road shoulders and would be installed in compliance with applicable codes. These may include water, sewer, electrical, and communication services, ensuring proper coverage and separation distances.

Wetland Boardwalks:

• Location and Layout: Elevated boardwalks would be installed on both sides of Peterson Creek, extending from Launch Road to Return Road, and would also traverse the central area of the Skybike visitor attraction.
• Design and Materials: Each boardwalk would be 12 feet wide, constructed using wooden slats spaced ¼ inch to ½ inch apart.
• Foundation System: The boardwalks would be supported by helical or micro piles, which are steel shafts with helical plates designed to be driven or drilled into the ground to depths ranging from 10 to 30 feet, depending on soil conditions. These piles provide a stable foundation with minimal environmental impact.
• Environmental Considerations: To protect aquatic ecosystems, the boardwalks would be installed a minimum of 20 feet from the OHW mark of any stream.
• Total Impacts: Onshore development is projected to impact approximately 5.58 acres of Palustrine Seasonally Saturated Needle-leaved Evergreen Forest (PFO4B) wetlands, as well as roughly 0.12 acres of habitat below the OHW mark of Peterson Creek. The project involves the installation of a total of 309 permanent piles and 165 temporary piles below the HTL. Additionally, 0.69 acres of area below the HTL would be subject to grading and dredging activities. Concurrently, an estimated 67,698 cubic yards of fill material would be placed below the HTL, resulting in impacts to approximately 1.55 acres of Estuarine, Tidal, Upper Subtidal Narrow-leaved Vegetated Wetland (E2USN). Temporary construction impacts within wetlands would include equipment operation in wetlands within a 10-ft buffer around all project elements. All clearing outside of road prisms and for other project elements in wetlands would be done above the ground surface and no grubbing would be required.

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: Onshore project components have been carefully designed to remain completely out of wetlands, and several project components have been considered and dismissed in order to reduce wetlands impacts from the project. Out of 44 acres of proposed onshore development, only 5.7 acres, or 13 percent, of the proposed development would occur within onshore wetlands.
2. Minimization: The applicant states that the project uses the most compact design practicable (with the least number of piles and smallest size of piles) to minimize impacts to waters of the United States. Bridges over Peterson Creek have been designed to be single-span to minimize the amount of material placed below OHW of the creek. During construction, erosion and sediment would be controlled by using best management practices to reduce or limit stormwater runoff and other non-stormwater discharges into wetlands and waters.

   Additionally, the following minimization measures are proposed:

   • Construction limits would be staked and clearly demarcated.
   • Natural vegetation would be retained wherever possible.
   • No stockpiles would be placed within wetland areas.
   • Permanent erosion control measures (riprap aprons, embankment stabilization) would be installed.
3. Mitigation: To compensate for impacts to 7.25 acres of wetlands and marine waters (5.58 acres of palustrine, 0.12 acres of riverine, and 1.55 acres of estuarine impacts), Turnagain Marine Construction proposes to purchase credits from a wetland mitigation bank or in-lieu fee program. Trillium Mitigation Bank, located on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, appears to have wetland credits available for private commercial projects that would fit all three of these types of WOTUS, and the proposed project is within the bank’s service area. In addition to Trillium, there are other banks listed in the Southeast Alaska service area that may also have available credits. Compensatory mitigation is expected and will be determined together with USACE through the permitting process.

Additionally, the following minimization and mitigation measures are proposed:

• Construction limits would be staked and demarcated.
• Natural vegetation would be retained wherever possible.
• Permanent erosion control measures (riprap aprons, embankment stabilization) would be installed.
• No stockpiles would be placed within wetland areas.
• During construction, wetland and stream water quality would be protected through best management practices, including:
  • Temporary and permanent stabilization measures would be initiated as soon as practicable by the contractor, but within at least 14 days on all portions of the site where construction activities have temporarily or permanently ceased. Stabilization measures include slope tracking, seeding, and mulch.
  • Sediment prevention measures (i.e. silt fence or other means) would be placed and maintained. These devices would remain in place until fill and other exposed earthwork attributable to the project are stabilized and revegetated.
  • Stabilized construction exits would be provided for vehicles leaving the work area.
  • Velocity dissipaters would be provided at all dewatering discharge points.
  • The work area would be isolated from flowing water; vehicle or equipment operation would be minimized in flowing water.
    • Wood that has been surface or pressure-treated with creosote or treated with pentachlorophenol will not be used. If treated wood must be used, any wood that comes in contact with water will be treated with waterborne preservatives in accordance with Best Management Practices developed by the Western Wood Preservers Institute. Treated wood will be inspected before installation to ensure that no superficial deposits of preservative material remain on the wood.
    • Plans for avoiding, minimizing, and responding to releases of sediments, contaminants, fuels, oil, and other pollutants will be developed and implemented.
    • Spill response equipment will be kept on-site during construction and operation.
    • The project uses a design that incorporates the smallest-diameter piles practicable while still minimizing the overall number of piles.
    • All proposed buildings will maintain a 50-ft setback from any anadromous streams.
    • The project uses a design that incorporates the smallest-diameter piles practicable while still minimizing the overall number of piles.

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 Kristin Mabry, kristin.mabry@alaska.gov, 1-907-334-0884; 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.

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