Description
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has posted a public notice requesting comments on a Section 401 Water Quality Certification application for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Homer Navigation Improvements project in Kachemak Bay. The project will construct a new harbor, breakwater, and dredge a 68‑acre prism to accommodate 304 vessels, with construction slated for 20230‑2034. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments or request a hearing by the expiration date. The certification process focuses on water‑quality impacts of dredging and fill, with extensive mitigation measures outlined.
• Project location: Section 36, T. 6 S, R. 12 W, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska (lat 59.610010, ‑151.42388).
• Activity dates: March 1 20230 – November 30 2034 (≈ 4 years).
• Scope: Build a 4,500‑ft rubble‑mound breakwater, dredge ~1.5 M CY (buffered) of material, and create a 37‑acre mooring basin.
• Environmental focus: Section 401 certification, water‑quality standards compliance, turbidity control, spill prevention, protected‑species monitoring.
• Public participation: Comments accepted via DEC website or email (DEC‑[email protected]) by October 26 2026; a public hearing can be requested.
• Primary contact: Kayla Campbell, USACE Alaska District, Civil Works (phone (907) 753‑2757, email [email protected]).