SW

Stormwater Directory

Alaska

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

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Quick Summary

For most Alaska projects disturbing 1 acre or more, you need an APDES Construction General Permit, a SWPPP, and inspections by a trained person. The NOI lead time is 30 days — longer than most states.

State-DelegatedVerified 2026-03

Construction Permit

Permit Document ↗
Permit Name
APDES Construction General Permit (CGP) — Permit No. AKR10A000 (active permit reissued 2021)
Threshold
≥ 1 acre of land disturbance, or < 1 acre if part of a larger common plan of development or sale
NOI Lead Time
NOI must be submitted at least 30 days before the planned start of construction activity; DEC issues a written authorization letter before work may begin
Application Method
Online submission via the Alaska DEC APDES online permitting portal; paper NOI forms also accepted by mail
Fee
$50 NOI processing fee for sites disturbing < 5 acres; $100 for sites disturbing ≥ 5 acres
Permit Expires
February 17, 2027
Apply for Permit ↗

SWPPP Requirements

Permit Document ↗
SWPPP Required
Yes
PE Cert Required
No
Template Available
Yes
A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be prepared and implemented before construction begins. Alaska DEC provides SWPPP templates and guidance documents. The SWPPP must be signed by the permittee and available on-site at all times. No PE stamp is required. The plan must include site maps, BMPs, inspection schedules, and a maintenance plan.

Inspection Requirements

Permit Document ↗
Frequency
At least every 14 calendar days and within 24 hours of a precipitation or snowmelt event that results in a discharge from the site; during frozen ground conditions, inspections may be reduced to monthly if the site is fully stabilized
Rain Trigger
Within 24 hours of any precipitation or snowmelt event that results in a discharge from the site (no fixed inch threshold — discharge-based trigger)
Inspector Qualification
A knowledgeable person familiar with the SWPPP must conduct inspections. Alaska does not require a state-specific inspector certification, but the person must understand construction stormwater BMPs. Many operators voluntarily use EPA's Developing Your SWPPP training.
Accepted Certifications
No state-specific cert required; EPA CGP requires 'qualified personnel' knowledgeable in E&SC; CPESC, CESSWI, CISEC accepted

Discharge Standards

Permit Document ↗
Turbidity Limit
No numeric NTU limit in the CGP; narrative water quality standard applies
Discharges must not cause or contribute to violations of Alaska water quality standards. Alaska's water quality standards are protective of cold-water fisheries and anadromous fish habitat. Sites discharging to anadromous fish streams may require coordination with Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and may face stricter conditions. Visual monitoring is required.

Post-Construction

DEC ↗
Required
Yes
Permit coverage ends after final stabilization is achieved and a Notice of Termination (NOT) is filed with DEC. Post-construction stormwater management requirements are primarily addressed through local municipality ordinances for regulated MS4 communities in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Most of Alaska is not covered by a Phase II MS4 permit.

Impaired Waterbody / TMDL Requirements

Standard Provisions

Alaska is EPA-administered (not delegated); federal CGP provisions apply. Construction activity is limited relative to other states; no state-specific TMDL permit conditions beyond federal CGP baseline. Projects near protected fishery waters should verify with EPA Region 10.

Program Contact

Contact Page ↗
Contact
Teri Buck — Construction General Permit Coordinator
Phone
(907) 334-2281
Email
DEC.water.WQpermit@alaska.gov

State-Specific Notes

Alaska administers its own NPDES-equivalent program called APDES (Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System). The 30-day NOI lead time is longer than most states. The 30-day review window reflects DEC's need to coordinate with Alaska Department of Fish and Game on anadromous waterway impacts, which is a major quirk unique to Alaska. Operators working near salmon streams should plan for potential additional permit conditions or requirements from ADF&G under AS 16.05.871.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulatory requirements. Always consult the DEC website and applicable regulations before beginning any construction activity.