Mendenhall River Flood After-the-Fact Permitting – A Guide for Bank Stabilization

When is after-the-fact permitting allowed?

• After-the-fact permitting is allowed for emergency bank stabilization on the Mendenhall River to address immediate threats to property and safety.
• Property owners may proceed with bank stabilization that is necessary to make their property safe.

What does it mean to make a property safe?

• Making the property safe means action to protect property and structures from further damage from the flood.
• For example, property owners may immediately repair damage to existing bank stabilization, or place new bank stabilization.
• Placing fill to reclaim land, beyond what is necessary to secure structures or place bank stabilization according to engineering standards, does not qualify for after-the-fact emergency bank stabilization and requires full permitting BEFORE starting work.

What are the permit requirements?

• After-the-fact bank stabilization must meet all permit requirements.
  • CBJ understands that you need to move quickly to protect your property, and, you still need to apply for all permits with the required information from an engineer before CBJ can finalize your permits.
• You will need to apply for a grading permit.
  • A grading permit requires plans certified by an engineer licensed in the State of Alaska.
• You might need to apply for a Floodplain Development Permit.
  • If your bank stabilization is in an area marked as a flood zone in the adopted National Floodplain Insurance Rate Maps, you will need a Floodplain Development Permit.
  • If your bank stabilization is located in the Mendenhall River floodway on the flood maps, you will need a special analysis from an engineer to show that the work won’t increase flooding.
  • Not sure if you need a Floodplain Development Permit? Contact Teri Rehfeldt, Senior Planner, CFM, at [email protected] or (907) 586-0753 extension 4129.
• Be sure to apply for these permits within one month of starting your work.

How do I apply, and where do I find the forms?

• For the grading permit, please submit the Grading Permit Checklist form.
• For the Floodplain Development Permit, please submit the Development Permit Application and Floodplain Development Permit Application forms.
• These forms are available online at the CDD Permit Center Applications page and may be submitted to [email protected].

How long will after-the-fact permitting be allowed?

• The window for emergency bank stabilization, which allows work to occur before obtaining a permit, is limited and will close within a few months.
• The closure of the emergency bank stabilization window will be determined by CBJ and will be publicly announced. After this announcement, permits must be obtained before work begins.

What about other agencies?

• Additional permits may be required from these state and federal agencies:
  • Alaska Department of Natural Resources
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • S. Army Corps of Engineers

What is the review process after I turn in my application(s)?

• The CBJ General Engineering Division and CBJ Community Development will review your application(s).
• If your application meets all the requirements, your permit will be finalized shortly.
• If your application does not meet all requirements, for example if you have not submitted the engineer’s certification or analysis, we’ll contact you to request more information, and the permit will be on hold.
• Call us anytime at the numbers below for an update on the status of your application.

Who can I call for help?

• For grading permit questions, contact Bridget LaPenter at [email protected], or (907) 586-0800 extension 4187.
• For Floodplain Development Permit questions, contact [email protected] or (907) 586-0753 extension 4129.