State exempts design of Sitka sewage disinfection system from further environmental review

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation on Oct. 14 exempted the design of Sitka's planned wastewater disinfection system from further environmental review under the state's clean water loan program.

The decision, called a categorical exclusion, covers the design work only. The City and Borough of Sitka has requested a $1 million loan to design the system, which would sit at the existing wastewater treatment plant.

DEC says the design project will not significantly affect the plant's degree of treatment or capacity, will not affect cultural resources, endangered species habitat or important natural resource areas, and will not cause significant public controversy. The department can revoke the exclusion at any time if adverse information becomes available.

DEC's project records say Sitka plans to design and build the system to meet new fecal coliform and enterococcus limits set in a discharge permit issued in 2024. DEC's state fiscal year 2026 priority list puts the full project's cost at $11 million and lists it at Tier 3 for disadvantaged communities, with a target completion date of Jan. 1, 2029.

A project must be on that list before the city can apply for a loan from the program.