Mertarvik Relocation Project Alaska Tribal Transportation Symposium March 20, 2018

AGENDA Overview of Newtok Overview of Mertarvik Project Team Project Schedule Transportation Planning Efforts Project Successes Project Challenges Next Steps Lessons Learned

Newtok, Alaska Newtok is a traditional Yupik Eskimo community of ~400, with an active subsistence lifestyle. Located on the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta along the western coast of Alaska, near the Bering Sea. Newtok is not connected to the rest of Alaska by road, and is primarily accessible by air or water. More than 30% of the voting population is below poverty level. Due to severe erosion, the village wants to relocate to a new site called Mertarvik, approximately 9 miles upriver, on Nelson Island. KTUU Channel 2 News Video Source: DCCED Kids in Newtok, Alaska 2016

Mertarvik, Alaska 2003 - Congress passed S. 924, allowing the village to relocate to Nelson Island. 2006 - the Newtok's Tribal Council requested assistance from the State of Alaska of to help with Newtok's relocation effort. 2006 – Department of Community and Regional Affairs formed the Newtok Planning Workgroup where the Mertarvik Relocation Project was formed. 2007-2016 – Planning, design and environmental activities take place.

Mertarvik, Alaska 2016 – Newtok Village Council received funding from the Denali Commission to hire a Project Manager to help implement the Mertarvik Relocation Project. June 2016 – NVC hired DOWL as their Project Managers through a competitive bid process.

Project Team

Mertarvik Community Layout

Project Schedule Construction Construction Camp Equipment Fleet Purchase Pioneering Bulk Fuel Farm Rock Quarry Equipment Shop and Rock Quarry Development Four House Pads Design Community Subdivision Plat Design: 2,000 LF Townsite Roads Design: MEC Shell and Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing Design: Bulk Fuel Farm Design: Power Plant Design: Landfill Preliminary Engineering Analysis: Water Source and Treatment Preliminary Engineering Analysis: Water Distribution, Sewer Collection Airport

2017 Construction Season

2017 Construction Season

Transportation Planning 11

Project Challenges Limited Construction Season Lack of Resources and Funding Communication Disaster Policies 12

Project Successes Relationship Building Remaining Natural Professional Project Management Team Financial Assistance Funding Denali Commission State of Alaska BIA HUD Association of Village Council Presidents Partnership JBER Housing Units 13

Next Steps Construct the MEC Finalize construction of four AVCP Homes Complete community streets design Procure a contractor for JBER Housing units Prepare the first the families for moving into homes in Mertarvik by September 2018 Secure Funding HUD IT (Temporary Utilities) USACE Section 116 (MEC and Associated Infrastructure) USDA (Bulk Fuel Facilities) FEMA (Houses) Denali Commission (Project Management, Local Coordination, etc. ) SOA CIP (School Design + Construction) FAA/DOT&PF Airport Landfill Prime Power 14

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Association of Alaska Housing Authorities Training and Technical Assistance Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Division HUD ICDBG 15

Lessons Learned Don’t let politics get in the way Stay neutral and stick to facts Build relationships with funding agencies Ensure projects are driven by the community Keep the ball rolling Someone is always watching Photo: Media at the 8/10/17 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Source: ANTHC