The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public comments through May 25 on a proposed water line extension in Yakutat designed to replace drinking water sources contaminated with PFAS chemicals near the airport.

The City and Borough of Yakutat applied for state water quality certification to build 3.5 miles of pipeline that would affect 0.6 acres of wetlands and 0.7 acres of streams and waterways. The project would provide clean drinking water to properties where PFAS contamination was detected in wells.

The pipeline would run mostly along existing roads, including Airport Road, with crews digging trenches five feet deep and clearing vegetation about 20 feet on either side of the route. Where the line crosses streams, workers would drill beneath the stream bed to avoid disturbing fish habitat. The project also includes a 500,000-gallon water storage tank and pump house.

Construction is planned from April 2026 through November 2027. The borough would place about 1,500 cubic yards of fill material in wetlands and waterways, then revegetate disturbed areas and purchase 0.08 wetland mitigation credits to offset impacts.

The state will review whether the project meets Clean Water Act standards before issuing certification. Comments can be submitted online at dec.alaska.gov/commish/public-notices or by email to [email protected] with subject line POA-2025-00427 v1.0.

Project documents are available by contacting [email protected] or calling 907-269-6285. For disability accommodations, contact Kristin Mabry at [email protected] or 907-334-0884 at least three days before the May 25 deadline.