Relocating the Sinking Village

Relocating the Sinking VillageA Feasibilty Presentation Regarding the Relocation of Newtok, Alaskaby Jessica SkingelOverviewIntroductionCriteriaMethodsResultsConclusionsRecommendations

IntroductionDetermined the feasibility of relocating Newtok, Alaska, a village threatened by flooding and erosion. Studied the causes and effects of climate change, erosion, permafrost degradation and other environmental factors that affect villages like Newtok.Researched similar cases of relocation in Alaska to determine what problems were encountered and how they were resolved.Conducted a questionnaire of my peers to evaluate their feelings and knowledge regarding climate change and relocation.Researched estimated costs and funding for relocation.CriteriaAre one or more organizations willing and available with sufficient funds to relocate the village? Are the necessary equipment and resources available to relocate the village? Will relocating the village be beneficial to more than 75% of the residents? Will more than 75% of the residents be willing to relocate?

Newtok, AKPopulation 37072 households, 70 occupied1.1 square milesDominantly Yupik villageOne school, one airport, one health clinicNo plumbing systemNo roads in or out of town- access by plane or boat only

Newtok, AK

Newtok, like Shishmaref and Kivalina, is facing major erosion problems. Erosion caused byLack of protective sea iceRise in sea temperaturesThawing permafrostRising water levelsChanging river

Other Problems Newtok FacesFloodingSevere sewage problemsWater supply threatenedHealth concernsLoss of culture and traditionsDifficulties delivering fuel and supplies

MethodsPrimary ResearchOnline Search- keywords: Newtok Alaska, Newtok relocation, Newtok erosion, Newtok floodingSecondary ResearchARLIS- keywords: Newtok, climate change Alaska, permafrost AlaskaUAA Consortium Library- keywords: climate change Alaska, erosion Alaska, Newtok relocationQualtrics Survey- distributed to 18 UAA students in Professor Sorias Technical Writing Course.

Studies have concluded that there is no permanent and cost-effective alternative to staying at the current location. Relocation is the communitys only option.ResultsHistorical and Projected Shorelines

As projected, Newtok could be washed away within the next 5-10 years.Cost to RelocateUS Army Corps of Engineers estimates the move to cost $80-130 millionAbout $2 million per householdFunding has been provided in part by grants fromEconomic Development AdministrationAlaska Dept. of Transportation & Public FacilitiesDenali CommissionBureau of Indian AffairsSeveral mini-grants from other organizations

Funding is difficult since no federal or state government agency is authorized or responsible to fund such a relocation.MertavikMeans getting water from the spring Chosen as the new site for relocationHigher, more stable groundFresh water source9 miles southeast from current siteConstruction has begun

SurveyClimate change has a direct influence on my life as an individual.Climate change has a direct influence on the lives of Alaskans.

Graph 1. The direct influence of climate change How participants feel climate change affects them directly as individuals and Alaskans as a whole.SurveyHow often do you read about climate change in the news or online?Graph 2. Frequency of reading about climate change The frequency in which participants read about the issue of climate change in the news or online. SurveyHow important do you find the issue of climate change?Graph 3. The importance of climate change in Alaska How important participants feel the issue of climate change in Alaska is.Newtok Planning Group (NPG)Created in May 2006 to coordinate assistance in the relocation efforts of NewtokHas met regularly since forming to secure funding and resourcesHas establish strategy and framework for moving the relocation process forwardFormed under the Division of Community and Regional Affairs, within the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development

Newtok Planning Group ParticipantsNative Village of Newtok Newtok Traditional Council (NTC)Newtok Native Corporation (NNC)StateAlaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), Division of Community Advocacy Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation/Village Safe Water Program (VSW) Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT/PF)Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs/Division of HomelandSecurity and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)/Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) Alaska Governors OfficeFederal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Alaska DistrictU.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA)U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural DevelopmentU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)U.S Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Denali CommissionSenator Lisa Murkowskis OfficeRegional Organizations Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), Housing Improvement Program (HIP) Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF)Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD) Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP) Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Housing Improvement Programs (HIP)

Three housing packages were awarded to Newtok by the BIA in 2006. The homes will be moved to the new village site once community planning and basic infrastructure are complete.Newtok Completed Work

Foundation for Evacuation CenterAccess RoadBarge LandingQuarry ConclusionsRelocating the village of Newtok to Mertavik is feasible, but there are some obstacles that need to be overcome before the mission can be accomplished. Additional FundingDetailed Planning PermitsFurther Construction

RecommendationsFurther research to determine activity of NPG ParticipantsInitiate legislative action to appoint proper government agencies and officials to oversee and/or fund relocationCreate alternative plan if relocation is not completed in due time

Thank youSong: Jack Johnson- No other wayPhoto credit: Google images, New York Times, Newtok Planning GroupNo Other WayJack JohnsonIn Between Dreams, track 52005Rock189659.67eng - 0000031C 000001ED 0000C6AC 00003943 0002C38D 0001B8D0 00009089 00009021 0000A605 0000A605eng - iTunes_CDDB_IDs14+712E07D15563D4F8DD9317C6A04CB004+5166561