Public Comment Period: POA-2022-00357 v1.0 Water Quality Certification

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has received an application from the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for a Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification. The project, designated as POA-2022-00357 v1.0, involves bank erosion mitigation at Pipeline Milepost 20 of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) along the Sagavanirktok River. The work is scheduled to take place between October 15, 2026, and December 31, 2027. The proposed project aims to protect the integrity of the buried pipeline by restoring a buffer zone near an inactive gravel pit. The work includes mining approximately 10,000 cubic yards of alluvial gravel from a river bar and discharging 9,500 cubic yards of that material to create a stabilized buffer. The applicant plans to conduct these activities during late fall when water levels are low and the ground is frozen or dry to minimize environmental impact. Alyeska has proposed several mitigation measures, including maintaining a 50-foot setback from the riverbank, limiting mining depth to approximately 3 feet, and restricting heavy equipment to unvegetated gravel bars. The company states that compensatory mitigation is not required because they are avoiding wetlands and minimizing direct impacts. The public comment period for this certification request is open until November 6, 2026.