Regulates Alaska's air and water quality, contaminated site cleanup, food safety, and oil spill prevention and response. Issues permits for discharges and air emissions statewide.
Department of Environmental Conservation, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
A tribal housing authority wants to build 40 affordable homes on wetlands
The Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority filed a Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification request with Alaska DEC for the S'et Kanax_ Dut'en Subdivision, a 40-lot affordable housing project on Douglas Island that would fill 4.12 acres of wetlands. DEC's public notice opens a formal comment window for residents, tribes, and agencies.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Selawik landfill fire smoke poses distinct health risk beyond wildfire haze
The Oblaron Fire near Selawik is suspected to have escaped the community landfill, and officials warn Wednesday that smoke from burning trash carries toxic pollutants especially dangerous for Elders, children, and people with respiratory conditions.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Noatak Airport relocation triggers water quality review as river erodes toward runway
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a public notice for permit application POA-2025-00495, opening a required water quality certification review by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation before a Section 404 permit can be issued for the Noatak Airport relocation project.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Two fires hold near Ruby as weekend weather turns risky
The Big Fire east of Ruby remained at 10% containment Friday as forecasters warned of 30-to-40 mph outflow winds and critically low humidity, and 12 smokejumpers had already been pulled from the fire to chase new starts elsewhere.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Crews on three Interior fires brace for a dangerous holiday weekend
Firefighters on three western Interior wildfires near Ruby and Allakaket are bracing for a holiday weekend of strong outflow winds and critically low humidity that could push fires past control lines.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
A huge North Pole fuel terminal's spill plan is up for renewal — and residents have reason to look
Crowley's Moose Creek Terminal in North Pole is renewing the spill prevention plan for its 33-million-gallon jet fuel storage, with public comment open through July 29.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Jade Fire ignites near Kopshesut origin point, threatens Ambler landfill
A new 67-acre wildfire ignited Tuesday near the same location where the June 4 Kopshesut Fire originated west of Ambler, raising dual smoke hazards if it reaches the village landfill; a tribal fire crew arrived Thursday as rain holds off until Sunday.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Mat-Su landfill fire draws multi-department response near Palmer-Wasilla corridor
A construction debris fire at Mat-Su Central Landfill drew Central Mat-Su and Lakes fire departments Monday evening, partially closing the site overnight while crews used an excavator to break apart the burning debris cell.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min read
A new Mat-Su road would cross the ground its drinking water comes from
A Seldon Road extension near Wasilla would cross two Mat-Su drinking-water protection zones, opening a state water quality review and public comment period.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Juneau moves to extend its seawalk to the farthest cruise dock
Juneau has applied to extend its downtown seawalk along Gastineau Channel from Franklin Dock to the AJ Dock. Public comment runs through July 13.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
A new landfill permit for Russian Mission is one piece of a much bigger Y-K Delta solid waste story
A proposed new Class III landfill permit for the City of Russian Mission sits inside the broader Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta solid waste challenge.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Second Fire in Two Weeks Ignites Near Ambler on Kobuk River
A new lightning-caused fire ignited Sunday across the Kobuk River from Ambler, the second blaze near the Northwest Arctic village in less than two weeks, while the 1,447-acre Kopshesut Fire remains only 70% contained with 42 firefighters still on scene.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Two firms seek competing gas-storage leases at Kenai Loop field
Hilcorp and ENSTAR have both applied to convert the Kenai Loop Gas Field into storage, setting up a potential conflict over subsurface rights as Alaska pushes to expand storage capacity ahead of LNG export decisions.
by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Kodiak seafood permit bars waste deposits on seafloor
ADEC's draft general permit for Kodiak onshore seafood processors prohibits zones of deposit for seafood waste on the seafloor. Facilities must prevent accumulation through adjusted outfall placement, discharge timing, or waste treatment.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
HEX Operating files to renew Cook Inlet spill plan
HEX Operating Alaska filed to renew its oil spill contingency plan for three Cook Inlet facilities.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Tick found after Flattop hike shows Alaska's changing tick reality
A tick found on an Anchorage pet after a Flattop hike highlights Alaska's evolving tick situation as state researchers track non-native species arrivals and urge residents to submit ticks for identification.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
Alaska seeks control of hazardous waste program as rural areas face shift
EPA has tentatively approved Alaska's request to take over hazardous waste management from federal control, raising questions about enforcement capacity in remote communities during the transition.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Smoke from Boundary Fire Settles Over Tanana, Residents Report Health Impacts
Heavy smoke from the Boundary Fire settled over Tanana on May 4, prompting health complaints from residents and disrupting subsistence activities in the village of 300.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAlaska mines release toxic metals into rivers, state data shows
Alaska mines lead the nation in toxic releases, with both active operations and abandoned sites contaminating rivers and affecting communities that depend on clean water for subsistence.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min readAlaska Senate Shelves Homemade Food Safety Bill After Complex Debate
The Alaska Senate Resources Committee set aside a bill restricting sales of home-canned foods in reduced oxygen packaging after lawmakers struggled with complex food safety definitions and enforcement questions.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read