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Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water

Snow Disposal on Marine Ice and in Open Marine Water

This guidance is issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water to provide guidelines regarding emergency snow disposal options. They apply to public agencies and private businesses disposing of snow in the State of Alaska.

Disposal of snow into fresh water, including lakes, streams, wetlands, rivers, estuaries, or tidally influenced streams or rivers, either frozen or unfrozen, without a permit is not allowed.

EMERGENCY SNOW DISPOSAL - Marine Waters Only

Under extraordinary conditions, when all land-based snow disposal options are exhausted, disposal of snow that is not obviously contaminated with road salt, sand, and other pollutants may be allowed in certain waterbodies under certain conditions. In these dire situations, the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water must be notified before disposing of snow in a waterbody.

Use the following guidelines in these emergency situations:

  • For small communities bordering the seacoast, it is permissible to place clean, freshly fallen snow from adjacent parking lots and streets into marine waters.  
  • Dispose of snow in open water with adequate mixing to prevent ice dams from forming.
  • Do not dispose of snow in saltmarshes, vegetated wetlands, shellfish beds, mudflats, Special Management Areas designated by state or federal resource agencies, or areas of critical environmental concern.
  • Do not dispose of snow where trucks may cause shoreline damage or erosion.
  • Consult with the local government or municipality to ensure that snow disposal in open water complies with local ordinances and bylaws.
  • Remove accumulated trash and debris from the disposal area as they become visible. Debris in surface water is a water quality violation. Wastes and litter that become uncovered as the snow melts need to be picked up before off-site migration of the waste becomes a problem. Sites that are littered with trash tend to act as magnets for additional unpermitted dumping of wastes.

References

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Last Updated: 4/30/2024
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Department of Environmental Conservation

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, Alaska 99811
Location:  333 Willoughby Avenue, 8th Floor,
Ste 800, State Office Building, Juneau