Mendenhall River emergency bank stabilization – how to make your property safe
CBJ has authorized 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. 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.
To carry out emergency bank stabilization, you’ll need to get a Grading Permit. If the work is in an area marked as a flood zone by FEMA, you might also need a Floodplain Development Permit. Both permits require you to provide details about the work and have an engineer licensed in Alaska certify it. For the Floodplain Development Permit, you might need a special analysis from an engineer to show that the work won’t increase flooding. Make sure to apply for these permits within one month of starting the work.
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.
Forms are available online at the CDD Permit Center Applications page and may be submitted to permits@juneau.gov. 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.
Additional permits may be required from the state and federal agencies listed below:
- Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
For more information, contact Teri Rehfeldt, Senior Planner, CFM, Floodplain Manager at (907) 586-0753 extension 4129 or teri.rehfeldt@juneau.gov.