Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Water received an application for a State of Alaska integrated Waste Management Permit under Alaska Statutes 46.03 and the Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) 18 AAC 15, 18 AAC 60, 18 AAC 70, and 18 AAC 72.
Public Notice Comment Period: May 29, 2026 through July 1, 2026
Agency Contact: Kate Harper, Associate Director,
DNR / Office of Project Management & Permitting
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1430
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-269-5533; GreensCreek.Comments@alaska.gov
Applicant: Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company; P.O. Box 32199; Juneau, Alaska 99803
Proposed Project and Location: Greens Creek Mine is an underground silver, zinc, lead, and gold mine operated by Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company (HGCMC) and located in the United States Forest Service administered Admiralty Island National Monument near Hawk Inlet in Southeast Alaska. HGCMC submitted a permit application to DEC for containing wastewater and disposing of tailings and waste rock in designated facilities. DEC is soliciting public comments on the draft permit and application.
Tentative Determination: DEC has tentatively determined to issue a permit incorporating portions of the mine’s General Plan of Operations to the above-listed applicant.
Public Comments: Comments or requests specific to the draft Waste Management Permit No. 2026DB0001 are due by the close of the public comment period. Only comments directed at the draft Waste Management Permit are being solicited and will be considered by DEC. Please direct written comments to the attention of Kate Harper at the address or email identified above. All comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the commenter and a concise statement of comment on the permit condition and the relevant facts upon which the comment is based. Comments of either support or concern which are directed at specific, cited permit requirements are appreciated. Comments must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice.
Administrative Record: Copies of the proposed permit and application documents are available for public review at Juneau and Anchorage DEC offices. Please contact either office to review hard copies of available documents.
- 410 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 303; Juneau, AK 99801; 907-465-6855
- 550 W. 7th Ave. Suite 1430; Anchorage, AK 99501; 907-269-5533
These documents are also accessible at the following State website: https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/large-mines/greens-creek/
The public notice bulletin may be viewed at the DEC public notices website: https://dec.alaska.gov/commish/public-notices/
For other inquiries, contact Kate Harper listed above.
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.