Any applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct an activity that might result in a discharge into navigable waters, in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1977 (PL95-217), also must apply for and obtain certification from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation that the discharge will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws.

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’ Reference Number POA-1984-0184, Ship Creek, has been received for the discharge of dredged and/or fill materials into waters of the United States (WOUS), including wetlands, as described below and shown on the enclosed project figures/drawings. The public notice and related project figures/drawings are also accessible from the DEC website at http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/.

Any person desiring to comment on the project with respect to water quality, may submit comments electronically via the DEC public notice site (preferred method) at: http://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=aQVTe, or written comments to the address or email listed above by the Public Notice expiration date. All comments submitted via mail or email should include the PN reference number listed above in the subject heading. Mailed comments must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice.

Applicant: Alagnak Holdings, LLC., David DeWalt, PO Box 3757, Seattle, WA 98127, DEWALT@Lynden.com, 206-241-8778; Agent: Tom Mortensen LLC., P.O. Box 113192, Anchorage, Alaska 99511, tom@mortensen.com, 907-229-7400

Project Name: Ship Creek, Alagnak Holdings LLC Maintenance Dredging

Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 12, T. 13 N., R. 04 W., Seward Meridian; Latitude 61.227881° N., Longitude -149.902471° W.; in Anchorage, Alaska.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to continue to provide safe and efficient mooring for commercial barges at the Minch Dock.  The dredging is needed in order to maintain commercial barge cargo service to Anchorage and maintain the shipping of cargo from Anchorage to meet the supply needs of many Alaska rural coastal communities.

Project Description:

The proposed project would extend the 10-year maintenance dredging work and dredged material disposal for the existing commercial barge docking areas at the Minch Dock for another 10 years. The volume of the material scheduled to be dredged annually is 75,000 cubic yards. Dredging is planned during each low-tide window between April and October to +8 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) in 1.43 acres (approximate dimensions 125 feet by 500 feet).

Work would be conducted using wide-tracked bulldozers at low tide when the dredging area is de-watered. Dredged material would be disposed of on the tidal mudflats adjacent to and seaward of the dredge area located not less than 200 feet north of the Ordinary High-Water Mark channel of tidal Ship Creek. The dredge disposal area on the mudflats is 2.30 acres (approximate dimensions 100 feet by 500 feet). The proposed maintenance dredging activities will continue to be done at low tides when the mudflats at the dredging area are de-watered. In general, the dredging may require two days to complete within each low tide window. There are approximately 15 low tide windows each year between April and October when maintenance dredging can be done. The actual dates of dredging each year vary, because the dates of the low tide windows change.

Project History:

In February 2003, the first maintenance dredging work was permitted jointly with a permit modification issued to Sway Bay Holdings LLC. for the construction of a dock facility at Sway Bay Holdings LLC. for the purpose of expanding their maritime commerce docking facility and storage area for the loading, unloading, storing and handling of bulk commodities (e.g., salt, gravel, timber, steel, coal, and manufactured foreign goods). This modification combined several previous modifications into one viable project which included the construction of a sheet pile bulkhead dock to elevation +35 and a pile supported dock at elevation -40' MLLW. The 2003 maintenance dredging was issued to last 10 years for the purpose of maintaining the -40' MLLW depth at the vessels docking area and expired on December 31, 2012. A second 10-year time extension for maintenance dredging was authorized by the Corps of Engineers (Corps) in April 2011, and is to expire on March 31, 2021. The permit was transferred to Alagnak Holdings, LLC on September 8, 2020.

After reviewing the application, the Department may certify there is reasonable assurance the activity, and any discharge that might result, will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws. The Department also may deny or waive certification.

The permit application and associated documents are available for review. For inquires or to 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 Brian Blessington at 907-269-6272 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 within 5 days of the expiration date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.