Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Public Notice (PN) Date: March 3, 2026                     PN Reference Number: POA-2025-00448 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: April 2, 2026                              Waterway: Prudhoe Bay

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-2025-00448 v1.0 or on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: Doyon Oil Field Services, Tanya Kaquatosh, 1 Doyon Place, Fairbanks, AK 99701, (907) 459-2004; kaquatosht@doyon.com

Agent: R&M Consultants, Inc, Erica Betts, 212 Front Street, #150, Fairbanks, AK 99701; (907) 458-4303; ebetts@rmconsult.com.

Project Name: Doyon Oil Field Services Tract 8 Gravel Pad

Dates of the proposed activity are planned to begin and end: 03/01/2026 to 05/31/2027

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 8, 17, T. 10N, R. 15E, Umiat Meridian, in the North Slope Borough, Alaska. 76-227 Plat 77-3 Tract 8. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 70.226944, -148.40722.

Purpose: Installation of a gravel pad on an undeveloped portion of an existing lease, which would allow space for additional support operations for Doyon on their North Slope leases.

Description of Proposed Work: The proposed project includes the installation of a typical North Slope gravel pad on tundra, comprising approximately 6.9 acres of Alaska State Land Survey (ASLS) 76-227 Plat 77-3 Tract 8. This parcel is an undeveloped portion of an existing lease, which would allow space for additional support operations for Doyon on their North Slope leases. Approximately 77,900 cubic yards of gravel are required to build a typical five to seven-foot-deep pad. Two access lanes from the Spine Road would be constructed. These access lanes would be constructed to a minimum depth of five feet with dimensions of 36 feet by approximately 60 feet each and would include culverts to maintain existing drainage. Each lane would require approximately 575 cy of gravel fill for a total of 1,150 cy. The project location is a high-traffic area with developed pads on both sides.

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 applicant states that there are vacant, undeveloped parcels in Deadhorse, but they abut waterways requiring road construction for access and would result in greater impacts than developing Tract 8. The applicant states that the proposed project area is adjacent to the existing road infrastructure, between two already developed parcels, and that pursuing development at this location focuses development in already disturbed areas. The footprint of the pad is limited by gravel pads on two adjacent sides (east and west) and the Spine Road to the south.
2. Minimization: Best management practices will be utilized to prevent sediment transport beyond project limits. The applicant states that 6.9 acres of additional storage space would provide the minimum needed to meet operational goals. Culverts would be installed under the access driveways from the Spine Road to maintain positive drainage.
3. Mitigation: Doyon Oilfield Services does not propose compensatory mitigation, stating that the proposed project is close to existing infrastructure and that impacts are limited in nature due to the avoidance and minimization measures listed above. Construction will likely occur during the winter when the ground is frozen, which further reduces the potential for sediment transport, provided that sediment control BMPs are utilized.

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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