Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification - Shemya Fuel Pier and Revetment

Notice of Application for State Water Quality CertificationPublic Notice (PN) Date: March 13, 2024 PN Reference Number: POA-1980-00243 v1.0 PN Expiration Date: April 2, 2024 Waterway: Alcan Harbor 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 from 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 for a public hearing with respect to water quality, submit comments electronically via the DEC public notice site at https://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com?id=beuGktsHh on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.Applicant: PACAF Regional Support Center, Breanna Fulton, 10471 20th Street, Suite 265, JBER, AK 99506, (907) 552-3442; breanna.fulton@us.af.mil Agent: Stantec Consulting, Victor Ross, 962 North Meridian Place, Suite 1B, Wasilla, AK 99654; (907) 521-3588; victor.ross@stantec.com.Project Name: Shemya Fuel Pier and Revetment – Eareckson Air Station, Long-Term Repair of Fuel PierDates of the proposed activity is planned to begin and end: 4/30/2024 to 09/28/2028 Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 16, T. 86 S, R. 257 W, Seward Meridian, in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska. Project Site (Latitude, Longitude): 52.728633, 174.065636.Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to provide long-term repair to the fuel pier, slow shoreline retreat and protect shoreside facilities at the Eareckson Air Station (EAS) fuel pier.The replacement of the fuel pier with a 50-year design life will be constructed utilizing the existing Eareckson Air Station, fuel pier. The proposed project encapsulates the existing damaged fuel pier in a pipe pile structure to form a stable, erosion resistant pier that will withstand seismic and storm loads. Piles, concrete and armor stone will be placed below HTL during construction. The project also includes construction of a western shoreline revetment. The revetment will extend 560 linear feet along crest length to the west from the fuel pier to protect fuel infrastructure and shoreline. Dredging is required to form a stable base for the western shoreline revetment armor stone placement.Description of Proposed Work: The applicant requests authorization for the following work below the High Tide Line (approximate elevation +5.49 feet above the 0.0 foot contour) (HTL) and the Mean High Water Mark (approximate elevation +3.29 feet above the 0.0 foot contour) (MHW) in navigable waters of the United States: Install below the MHW two hundred (200) 42-inch diameter interlocking steel pipe piles around the existing fuel pier to create a new exterior pipe pile wall. The steel piles would be filled with concrete and connected to the existing fuel pier. Place into 2 acres below the HTL Cyclopean concrete fill (concrete filled with rubble) between the existing pier structure and the new exterior pipe pile wall (concrete totals 17,500 cubic yards); 4,500 cubic yards of Armor stone for scour protection at the fuel pier; 43,500 cubic yards of armor stone to construct the western shoreline berm revetment adjacent to the fuel pier for beach protection. Dredge 1,500 cubic yards of unconsolidated material from below the MHW and place into an upland disposal site.The proposed project would increase the existing pier footprint up to 33,700 ft 2.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. Avoidance: No wetlands will be filled by this project. There are no wetlands in project.No fill will be placed in lakes on Island. The jurisdictional fill in WOUS encompasses two acres including both the western shoreline revetment and fuel pier reconstruction. The project utilizes existing roadways, runways, storage areas, and utility corridors in uplands to avoids impacts to WOUS during construction.Fill in WOUS was avoided by using on site marine structures. The existing Fuel Pier will be encapsulated in a new pipe pile wall.The facility in place will be repaired instead of constucting a new structure in WOUS. The existing beach will be covered in an armor stone blanket for a reinforced revetment to protect the shoreline. This design avoided dredging the entire beach to remove existing failing and inoperable shore protection. Minimization: The jurisdictional fill in WOUS encompasses the minimum required for the western shoreline revetment and fuel pier reconstruction. Sediment retention ponds and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) controls will be in uplands, minimizing impacts to WOUS from construction and surface discharge. By utilizing the existing pier, and the existing bulkhead the amount of fill into WOUS is minimized. The western shoreline final design was validated using physical modeling, to ensure stability in storm events while minimizing fill and excavation in WOUS. Timber or composite crane mats will be placed on beaches and areas of softer soil, minimizing erosion and impacts to beaches caused by machinery and travel. The western shoreline revetment concept minimizes excavation below HTL and work in WOUS by design. Mitigation: Screened material from the MEC process will be used as upland fill, south of the revetment, to raise the grade of a depression that floods during storm events. Removed dolosse will be repurposed for use in the pier construction by placing dolosse in the cyclopean concrete pier structure. Repurposing dolosse reduceswaste disposal on Shemya Island and in WOUS. A Marine Mammal Monitoring and Mitigation Plan will be implemented to monitor and reduce marine mammal harassment for the duration of the project.The roads, pier access and western shoreline revetment are designed to avoid further erosion and washout of materials as occurred during the 2020 storm. A Federal Project EA has been completed to analyze environmental affects from the project and further mitigate impacts to EFH, marine mamals, and WOUS. 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. For inquires or to request copies of the documents, contact dec-401cert@alaska.gov, or call 907-269-6285. Disability Reasonable Accommodation NoticeThe 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 Megan Kohler at 907-269-4198 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 prior to the expiration date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.[1] Reference submission number: HQ1-7F6J-AKCMP; Received: 2/6/2024 5:27:12 PM