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APDES DRAFT PERMIT AK0023213 - CBJ Juneau-Douglas Wastewater Treatment Facility with a proposed discharge is available for review

What is this notice about?

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) plans to renew a permit that lets the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) release treated sewage from the Juneau-Douglas Wastewater Treatment Facility into Gastineau Channel. The draft permit allows up to 6.0 million gallons per day and includes a mixing zone, an area where certain pollutants may exceed water quality limits before they dilute. The public can comment until October 9, 2026, and may ask for a public hearing.

Why was this notice issued?

DEC has tentatively decided to reissue an Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) wastewater discharge permit (AK0023213) to the CBJ Juneau-Douglas Wastewater Treatment Facility, and the draft permit and fact sheet are open for public review.

What action is being taken?

DEC proposes to reissue a permit allowing the discharge of secondary treated domestic wastewater from the Juneau-Douglas Wastewater Treatment Facility at a maximum daily rate of 6.0 million gallons per day to Gastineau Channel at 58.28388 north latitude, 134.38694 west longitude. A mixing zone is proposed for ammonia, copper, dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform bacteria, enterococci bacteria, temperature, and whole effluent toxicity.

Who is involved: City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) – Juneau-Douglas Wastewater Treatment Facility

How can the public respond?

Respond by Fri, Oct 9, 2026 This deadline has passed.

“Comments or requests are due by the close of the comment period, October 9, 2026. Mailed comments and requests must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice.”

Ways to respond

What to include

Include your name, address, telephone number, and email address, plus a short statement of your comment on the permit condition(s) and the facts it is based on. Comments of support or concern aimed at specific, cited permit requirements are appreciated. Anyone may submit a written request for a public hearing; the request must state the issues to be raised and the requester's name, address and telephone number. Reference permit AK0023213. Documents are available at https://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/ or can be viewed in person at a DEC office by contacting the permit writer. People who need a disability accommodation should contact ADA Coordinator Kristin Mabry, kristin.mabry@alaska.gov, 1-907-334-0884, or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711, at least 3 days before the notice closes.

Contact

Amber Bennett
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Wastewater Discharge Authorization Program
amber.bennett@alaska.gov
(907) 451-2190
610 University Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Will there be public meetings?

The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.

Key dates

  • Sep 9, 2026: Notice published; draft permit and fact sheet available for review
  • Oct 6, 2026: Suggested last day to request a disability accommodation (at least 3 days before the comment period closes)
  • Oct 9, 2026: Comment period closes; comments and hearing requests due (mailed comments must be postmarked by this date)

Original notice text

A Draft Permit and Fact Sheet are available for review. The permit, fact sheet, and related documents can be accessed at the Department’s Wastewater Discharge Authorization Program website: https://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/ or contact the DEC contact/permit writer listed below for inquiries or to view documents in person at a DEC office. DEC Contact: Amber Bennett; (907) 451-2190; amber.bennett@alaska.gov; 610 University Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99709; Permit: AK0023213 – CBJ Juneau-Douglas Wastewater Treatment Facility Proposed Permit Coverage: The discharge of secondary treated domestic wastewater from the Juneau-Douglas Wastewater Treatment Facility. Discharge will occur at a maximum daily rate of 6.0 million gallons per day to Gastineau Channel at 58.28388 north latitude, 134.38694 west longitude. A mixing zone is proposed for ammonia, copper, dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform bacteria, enterococci bacteria, temperature, and whole effluent toxicity. Tentative Determination: DEC has tentatively determined to reissue a wastewater discharge permit to the above-listed applicant. Public Comments: Comments or requests are due by the close of the comment period, October 9, 2026. Any person desiring to comment on the permit may submit comments electronically via the DEC public notice site (preferred) at https://dec.alaska.gov/commish/public-notices/. Alternatively, you may direct written comments and requests to the attention of the DEC contact/permit writer at the email address or postal address identified above. All comments should include the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the commenter and a concise statement of comment on the permit condition(s) and the relevant facts upon which the comment is based. Comments of either support or concern that are directed at specific, cited permit requirements are appreciated. Mailed comments and requests must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice. DEC will consider all comments when making the final decision and will respond to the comments received in a Response to Comments document issued when DEC issues a final permit. The Response to Comments will be made available to the public. Any interested person may submit a written request for a public hearing if no hearing has already been scheduled. A request for a public hearing shall state the nature of the issues to be raised, as well as the requester's name, address and telephone number. DEC will hold a public hearing whenever DEC finds, on the basis of requests, a significant degree of public interest in a draft permit. DEC may also hold a public hearing if a hearing might clarify one or more issues involved in a permit decision or for other good reason in DEC’s discretion. DEC will transmit the final permit, fact sheet (amended as appropriate), and Response to Comments to anyone who provided comments during the public review period or requested to be notified of DEC final decision. Disability Reasonable Accommodation Notice: The 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 Kristin Mabry, kristin.mabry@alaska.gov, 1-907-334-0884; or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 at least 3 days prior to the expiration/closure date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.