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: February 11, 2026               PN Reference Number: POA-2025-00516 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: March 13, 2026                                     Waterway: Corea Creek, Cook Inlet

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-2025-00516 v1.0 or on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: Hilcorp Alaska, LLC, stetson.sannes@hilcorp.com stetson.sannes@hilcorp.com, 3800 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 1400, Anchorage, AK 99524, (907) 564-4665; stetson.sannes@hilcorp.com

Project Name: Kalotsa Pad Expansion (Ninilchik Unit)

Dates of the proposed activity are planned to begin and end: 06/01/2026 to 10/01/2026

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 07, T. 01, R. 13, Seward Meridian, in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska.  Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 60.103347, -151.59245.

Purpose: Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp) is proposing to expand the Kalotsa Site gravel pad to support natural gas development in Cook Inlet. The expanded pad will increase by approximately 1.93 acres with an additional 24,604 cubic yards (CY) of gravel placed.

The expanded pad will involve the placement of gravel fill abutting existing infrastructure to support natural gas operations in the Ninilchik Unit. 1.82 acres of jurisdictional palustrine emergent wetlands, as defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), will be directly impacted/lost as a result of this project.

Description of Proposed Work: Hilcorp Alaska proposes expanding the existing Kalotsa Pad used for natural gas activities by approximately 84,102 square feet or 1.93 acres. Of this area, 79,271 square feet or 1.82 acres is considered wetland.

The Kalotsa Site Pad expansion will require the filling of 1.82 acres of Waters of the U.S. The pad expansion will be constructed with a minimum gravel fill to match the grade of the existing Kalotsa Pad, using 2V:1H side slopes to reduce the fill footprint to the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose and need. The total 1.93-acre pad will involve 24,604 cubic yards of gravel fill material.

The material is currently available; therefore, the project will not involve the development of a new material source. The gravel fill required for the construction of the pad expansion will be obtained from an already permitted source.

Construction is anticipated to start during the summer of 2026 and will continue through the fall of 2026.

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: Project design has been developed to avoid impacts to wetlands and surface waters wherever practicable. Work limits have been constrained to previously disturbed areas, and construction activities are confined to the minimum footprint necessary for the pad expansion. The entire project area contains jurisdictional waters of the United States; therefore, complete avoidance is not practicable. Hilcorp proposes to include the following practicable avoidance measures:

   - Project limits will be delineated with silt fencing or similar material to avoid impacts outside the proposed pad area.

   - Work will occur from the existing pad surface to avoid additional temporary impacts to the Waters of the U.S.

2. Minimization: Where complete avoidance is not feasible, impacts are minimized by implementing erosion and sediment controls, maintaining defined work boundaries, and scheduling activities to reduce disturbance. Standard BMPs will be used to limit soil displacement, manage stormwater, and prevent offsite transport of materials. Hilcorp will incorporate the following minimization measures into project design and construction to reduce overall impacts on the Waters of the United States:

   - The pad will be constructed with a minimum 2V:1H side slopes to minimize fill area and impacts to wetlands

   - Regular pad surface watering will occur during operation to minimize fugitive dust deposition in the area

   - Existing gravel sources will be used

3. Mitigation: To offset any remaining unavoidable impacts, the project will employ site stabilization, revegetation of disturbed areas, and long-term erosion control practices. All mitigation measures will follow agency-approved standards to ensure protection of nearby water resources and overall site recovery

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.

-------------------------