Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Public Notice (PN) Date: March 6, 2026             PN Reference Number: POA-1989-00773-M3 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: April 6, 2026                       Waterway: Tongass Narrows

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-1989-00773-M3 v1.0 or on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: Alaska Marine Lines, Richie Harrington, 6110 West Marginal Way, Seattle, WA 98106, (360) 367-2111; rharring@lynden.com

Agent: Solstice Alaska Consulting, Inc., Kori Marchowsky, 2607 Fairbanks St. #B, Anchorage, AK 99503; (907) 929-5960; kori@solsticeak.com.

Project Name: Alaska Marine Lines Ketchikan Fill Expansion Project

Dates of the proposed activity are planned to begin and end: 04/01/2026 to 05/01/2026

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 23, T. 075S, R. 090E, Copper River Meridian, in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska. 011232004100. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 55.353310, -131.69061.

Purpose: Alaska Marine Lines is a marine transportation company providing barge service to and from Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. The company offers twice-weekly, year-round scheduled service between Seattle and Ketchikan and other Southeast Alaska communities and serves a critical role in Ketchikan as one of only two marine freight operators in the city (Lynden, Inc. 2025). Because there is no road connecting Ketchikan to mainland Alaska, most of Ketchikan’s imported goods arrive via barge, and as such, AML’s operations are essential and must operate efficiently. Port infrastructure is one factor that can limit the quantity of freight AML is able to move.

The purpose of this project is to reduce congestion, provide sufficient operating space, and improve operational safety at the shipping container transfer area. The project is also needed because existing sheet pile bulkheads at the transfer area are showing signs of deterioration. Adding fill would buttress the sheet pile bulkheads, reduce their risk of failure, and eliminate the need to extract the deteriorating sheet piles. The proposed project is the most practical and efficient method of mitigating congestion issues and improving safety at the barge ramp site while minimizing disruption to operations at the existing staging area.

Description of Proposed Work: Alaska Marine Lines (AML) proposes to place fill along the northern shore of Tongass Narrows in downtown Ketchikan, Alaska. The fill would provide upland space to improve the staging area used for cargo operations and improve operational safety. Construction, which includes the placement of a total of 8,951 cubic yards (CY) of fill in 0.46 acres (8,716 CY of fill in 0.45 acres below the high tide line [HTL]), would span approximately one month beginning in April 2026 or when all applicable permits are secured. The project would be constructed on land and would occur within the waters of the United States. No dredging, blasting, pile driving, or overwater structures are proposed in this project.

The proposed project would place a total of 8,951 CY of fill in 0.46 acres in two locations, one on each side of the existing cargo ramp. The eastern location would have a top surface area of approximately 7,499 square feet (sq. ft.), and the western location would have a top surface area of approximately 1,682 sq. ft. Structural fill would be 6-inch minus, with a 6-inch base course overlaying the surface. The fill would be sloped to the water at a 50% grade (2:1 slope). The slope surface would be reinforced with a 4-foot-thick layer of armor and underlayer rock above structural fill.

Existing dolphins located at the site would remain. The existing transfer bridge at the east site would be picked up and removed using a barge with a crane. Piles that support the transfer bridge would be left in place, and fill (described above) would be placed around them. No other in-water infrastructure would be removed as part of this project.

All fill would be placed from land using highway trucks and positioned with an excavator and loader until the design elevation is reached. A roller compactor may be used once fill is placed to stabilize the area. Armor and underlayer rock would then be placed with an excavator along the fill slope. A skiff may be used to drop a lead line to verify the toe elevation.

The proposed project would include the removal of an existing transfer bridge. A barge with a crane may be used to pick up and remove the existing transfer bridge at the project site. Any remaining in-water support structures from the transfer bridge would be left in place, and fill would be placed around them. Existing dolphins located at the site would remain.

Construction is anticipated to begin in April 2026, or as soon as all permits are received. Work would be completed within approximately one (1) month. The total construction duration accounts for the time required to mobilize materials, resources, and construct the project. The duration also accounts for potential delays in material deliveries, equipment maintenance, inclement weather, and shutdowns that may occur to prevent impacts to marine mammals.

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 project uses the most compact design possible, while meeting the purpose and need.Best management practices will be implemented during the placement of fill to minimize turbidity.

   The applicant states that to meet the project's purpose and need, construction must occur within the waters of the U.S. The proposed project would be constructed from land, limiting additional temporary impacts to waters of the United States. No dredging, blasting, pile driving, or permanent overwater structures are proposed.

2. Minimization: The applicant states that the proposed project used the most compact design practicable for the needs of the project and minimize impacts to waters of the U.S. The applicant states that the project would not impact wetlands. General construction mitigation measures would include:
   • Plans for avoiding, minimizing, and responding to the release of sediments, contaminants, fuels, oil, and other pollutants would be developed and implemented.
   • Spill response equipment would be kept on-site during construction and operation.
   • Best management practices would be implemented during the placement of fill to minimize turbidity.
   • All fill would be placed from land. Noise associated with in-water work would be localized and temporary.
3. Mitigation: The project would discharge approximately 8,716 cubic yards into a 0.45-acre site below HTL. The applicant states the total in-water fill is minimal in comparison to the available water in Tongass Narrows. The applicant states that impacts to waters of the U.S. are expected to be minimal, and no compensatory mitigation is proposed.

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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