Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification

Public Notice (PN) Date: October 22, 2026                  PN Reference Number: POA-2026-00395 v1.0
PN Expiration Date: November 6, 2026                      Waterway: Campbell Lake

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-2026-00395 v1.0 or on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.

Applicant: N/A, Mary Gates, 3637 W 100th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99515, (907) 764-7351; jillgates2142@gmail.com

Agent: Arctic Terra, LLC, Mona Widger, PO Box 240243, Anchorage, AK 99524; (907) 222-7599; monaw@arcticterra.com.

Agent: Arctic Terra, LLC, Jason Kersten, PO Box 240243, Anchorage, AK 99524; (907) 222-7599; jason.kersten@arcticterra.com.

Project Name: Campbell Lake: Gates-Waterfront Rehabilitation & Dock Replacement

Dates of the proposed activity are planned to begin and end: 10/15/2026 to 05/31/2027

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 14, T. 12N, R. 04W, Seward Meridian, in the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. 012-421-38-000. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 61.130765, -149.94824.

Purpose: To stabilize an eroding vertical shore bank, eliminate active organic sludge and sediment loading into Campbell Lake, and replace an unsafe, deteriorating floating dock structure to maintain safe private recreational water access.

Description of Proposed Work: Rehabilitation of 62 linear feet of shoreline along Campbell Lake. Work includes selective bucket excavation of loose organic muck along the bank toe (hauled directly offsite), construction of a single-row retaining wall using 15–20 cubic yards of clean 2.5–3.5 ft fractured armor boulders placed against the bank drop without geotextile fabric, and placement of 1.5 cubic yards of clean angular crushed rock for a private boat launch ramp. Secondary work includes replacing an existing floating dock with a low-profile aluminum dock riding on 100% encapsulated half-depth HDPE float shells, composite decking with 1/2-inch gaps, and in-kind replacement of six (6) steel spud piles driven through winter lake ice.

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:

   • Avoids open-water marine equipment and barges by scheduling all spud pile driving during Phase 2 so work occurs from frozen lake ice.
   • Avoids synthetic material degradation by eliminating geotextile filter fabric from the boulder wall design.
   • Avoids instream heavy-equipment operation by working exclusively from the upland bank edge.

2. Minimization:

   • Minimizes turbidity by deploying a full-depth floating turbidity curtain around the entire shoreline perimeter.
   • Uses clean, washed 2.5–3.5 ft fractured armor boulders and 1.5 CY of clean angular crushed rock for the boat launch, containing zero fine silts or organic dirt.
   • Incorporates 1/2-inch spacing gaps in dock composite decking for light penetration and uses 100% encapsulated HDPE half-depth float shells to minimize draft footprint and aquatic displacement.

3. Mitigation: Compensatory mitigation is not proposed. Discharge is strictly minimized to 15–20 CY of clean armor rock and 1.5 CY of crushed rock for a non-motorized boat launch across 62 linear feet. Replacing the eroding, un-stabilized bank with clean rock materials and removing loose organic muck stops active sediment loading into Campbell Lake, providing a net benefit to water quality without loss of aquatic function.

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.