A Phased Approach to Village Relocation

While the focus of this StoryMap is on the activities that take place after a community has reached the decision to relocate, identified a suitable location to relocate to, and established site control of the relocation site, it’s important to clarify the types of information, analysis and considerations needed for communities to make informed decisions about whether to relocate or to remain in place.

Reaching consensus on the decision to relocate can be one of the most difficult decisions a community can make. Wholesale relocation is almost always the decision of last resort, when there is no other option for a community to maintain its long-term safety and viability but to move from its current location to distant, new location. Deciding to leave a place in which a community has profound spiritual, cultural, social and physical ties can be traumatic and disruptive.

While the decision to relocate should always be driven by the community, it’s important that reaching this decision is made in collaboration with subject matter experts, scientists, engineers and funding agencies, particularly because it takes a great deal of cooperation and partnership with these entities to plan and implement a relocation effort. The more support a community has for its decision to relocate, the more likely the funding and technical support will be for the relocation process.

Sound data collection and scientific analysis is critical to determining the need for wholesale relocation. The community should be an integral part of the data gathering, analysis and the development of informed solutions. Indigenous knowledge has been shown to complement and expand scientific knowledge and to empower well-informed community decisions (Bryant-Tokalau; Dube and Munsaka).

Once the decision to relocate has been made, the next step is a thoughtful process to determine the best location for a new village site.  This process involves the integration of Indigenous and scientific knowledge to ensure the selected site meets the community’s socio-economic and cultural needs, as well as meeting the physical and constructability needs to accommodate the development of a new community. The  Shishmaref Relocation Site Selection Feasibility Study  provides a good example of this process. The village of Shishmaref hired a contractor to help them develop this study.

Phase 2A Relocation Site Selection Steps:

• Define the community’s physical, cultural and cost criteria for a feasible relocation site: This will assist the community with maintaining their social and economic lifestyle at a location that provides safety from environmental threats.
• Identify potential sites for consideration which meet the majority of these selection criteria: To identify potential relocation sites, the village of Newtok considered places within the community’s traditional hunting and fishing grounds in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. (ASCG Incorporated) The village of Shishmaref selected places which would allow the community to maintain their subsistence way of life which were within relatively close proximity and access to water, along with adequate subsistence hunting and gathering areas. (Bristol Environmental & Engineering) (AECOM)
• Analyze the potential relocation sites: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) identified the following criteria on which relocation sites should be evaluated: • Site Layout • Infrastructure • Development Potential • Human Factors • Natural Resources Table 3, below, provides more information on these criteria and how they can be analyzed. The steps to inform the analysis of potential relocation sites include:
• Perform Aerial Photography and Site Mapping: Develop planning-level site mapping of alternative relocation sites necessary to aid in the relocation site analysis and sufficient to begin a more detailed planning.
• Perform Geotechnical/Hydrological Investigations: Obtain sufficient geotechnical information to evaluate the feasibility of relocation sites (subsurface conditions, borrow sites, ground water resources, etc.)
• Conduct Site Selection Process: Establish and implement a formal community-led process to delineate the advantages and disadvantages of all potential sites and select between viable sites, supported by state and federal stakeholders. Table 4, below, provides examples of the criteria, scoring and prioritization Shishmaref used to analyze its relocation sites.

Phase 2A Funding Sources: State of Alaska (SOA) Designated Legislative Grant Program; State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Community and Regional Affairs, Alaska Climate Change Impact Mitigation Program (ACCIMP); BIA Tribal Resilience Program; Denali Commission Village Infrastructure Protection Program (VIPP).

Approximate Cost: $750,000+

The steps necessary to acquire title to the selected relocation site depend on who currently owns the land. If the selected relocation site is not currently owned by the community, such as the city or tribal governments or village corporation, then additional steps will need to be taken in accordance with the landowner’s policies, rules and regulations, provided the landowner is willing to sell, exchange or transfer the land. For example:

• If the land is owned by the federal government, the community should contact the federal agency responsible for managing the land (usually the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
• If the land is owned by the State of Alaska, the community should contact the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining Land and Water. If the land is owned by a borough or city government, the community should work directly with the borough or city who will follow its established ordinances and procedures for land sales, exchanges and transfers.
• If the land is owned by the for-profit regional corporation organized under the Alaska Native Claim Settlement Act (ANCSA), the community should contact the regional corporation which will follow the provisions of ANCSA for land conveyances.
• If the land is owned by the ANCSA village corporation, the community should work with the village corporation. Under ANCSA Section 14(c)(3), village corporations are required to provide land for present needs and future expansion of the community. In communities with an incorporated city government, the requirement of ANCSA 14(c)(3) can be fulfilled by the village corporation conveying land to the city. (DCCED/DCRA ) If the village corporation has not yet completed its ANCSA 14(c)(3) requirement, this process can be used to make land available for relocation or migration. For example, the village of Golovin’s village corporation, Golovin Native Corporation, is using the ANCSA 14(c)(3) process to transfer land to the City of Golovin so that community infrastructure can be migrated from hazard- prone coastal lowlands to nearby upland areas.

Because acquiring title to land owned by another entity can add years to the relocation process, Shishmaref included land status as a criterion for site selection. An example of how lengthy this process can be is seen in the case of the village of Newtok. Newtok selected a relocation site at the north of Nelson Island which was located on federal land within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This situation led to Newtok’s village corporation, the Newtok Native Corporation (NNC), to take an active leadership role in the land transfer with support from the community.

An example of how lengthy this process can be is seen in the case of the village of Newtok. Newtok selected a relocation site at the north of Nelson Island which was located on federal land within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This situation led to Newtok’s village corporation, the Newtok Native Corporation (NNC), to take an active leadership role in the land transfer with support from the community.

In November 1996, the NNC passed a resolution authorizing the negotiation of a land exchange within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge with the USFWS. Immediately thereafter, negotiations began, and by December 1997, the Regional Director for the USFWS submitted an Intent to Exchange Agreement for a land exchange to Newtok Native Corporation.

Negotiations between the NNC and USFWS ensued over the next several years. Land exchange efforts gained momentum when the NNC enlisted the services of a lobbyist at the federal level. Soon thereafter, the NNC was able to secure the support of the Alaska Congressional Delegation as well as Washington D.C. staff of the USFWS. With the assistance of legal counsel, the NNC negotiated the terms of the land transfer and drafted federal legislation. The NNC assisted Alaska’s Congressional Delegation in obtaining the votes for enactment of the land exchange law. On November 17, 2003, United States Public Law 108-129 was signed into law. The land exchange process took seven years.

Phase 3A takes place after the community has made the decision to relocate, has identified a suitable, constructible place to relocate to, and has acquired site control ¹  of the new community location.

The first studies will be initiated of the relocation site: baseline environmental studies in support of a future environmental document, geotechnical studies to inform the best locations for a townsite and roads, and bathymetric studies to inform a Barge Landing Analysis and Siting Study.

During this phase, the LiDAR data collected in Phase 2 will be used to develop a topographic map of the new village site for surveying, the airport relocation study will begin for the new airport at the relocation site, a quarry reconnaissance report will assess nearby locations for material to support new community development, and a Sanitation Facilities Preliminary Engineering Report will be prepared to identify water sources and options for water, sewer, and solid waste services which will inform future townsite development. Based on the findings of the Barge Landing Analysis and Siting study, a barge landing and staging area will be designed which will provide barge access to the new village site.

 ¹ Site control refers to the “enforceable right to use property”. In other words, when you can show written proof that you have legal right to own and control a piece of property, you have “site control” for that property. The term “site control” is commonly used when people want to use public funds to develop or upgrade a piece of property. (DCCED/DCRA)

Phase 3A Steps: Site Investigation and Planning

1. Conduct Baseline Environmental Studies: Conduct a wetlands re-delineation to inform and provide ease of approval for future and permitting activities for construction activities.
2. Conduct Geotechnical and Bathymetric Studies: Conduct geophysics, test pitting, and develop terrain unit map to inform foundation design and provide foundation design recommendations for housing and other key infrastructure.
3. Complete Planning Stage Topographical Study: Using LiDAR data acquired during the site selection process, complete a topographical survey or mapping required to identify the townsite location and support townsite design.
4. Airport Relocation Study (including wind and geotechnical studies): Begin master plan study of new airport, including collection of wind data, geotechnical investigation, environmental data collection, and scoping for Airport Layout Plan. Conduct preliminary analysis of airport siting considering separation requirements; land requirements; resource (gravel) requirements; estimated costs; alternatives for emergency air access until permanent facility is constructed. The wind study will inform airport alignment and evaluate the potential for future renewable wind energy projects and to inform airport alignment.
5. Perform a Barge Landing Analysis and Siting Study: Determine the best location for a barge landing at the relocation site. In most cases, a barge landing will be required to support all construction activities.
6. Prepare a Quarry Reconnaissance Report: Evaluate available sites for the mining of rock and gravel materials that will be necessary for infrastructure construction.
7. Prepare a Sanitation Facilities Preliminary Engineering Report: Identify water sources and determine capacity to meet community needs. Establish a temporary watering point. Evaluate water/sewer/solid waste options for community consideration. Selected options will inform townsite development.
8. Design Barge Landing and Staging Area: Based on the findings of the Barge Landing Analysis and Siting Study, design a barge landing and staging area to provide barge access for equipment and supplies to be delivered to the new village site.

Phase 3A Funding Sources: Bureau of Indian (BIA) Affairs Tribal Transportation Program; US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Planning Assistance to States; USACE Tribal Partnership; State of Alaska (SOA) Designated Legislative Grant Program; State of Alaska (DOT/PF) Capital Project Funding; US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) Investment Assistance Competitive Grant; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Program; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program

Approximate Cost: $1.7 million

During Getting Ready Phase 3B, the early planning, design and construction groundwork will be laid for future phases of the relocation. This phase includes planning activities for a strategic management document to guide the relocation effort, plans for the community layout, long range transportation, housing, energy, and water/wastewater.

Design activities will begin for the first homes, the water sources and temporary watering point, a wastewater lagoon and collection system, a solid waste landfill and access road, and a multi- purpose evacuation shelter. The evacuation shelter can be used to provide refuge to the community in the event a disaster occurs before relocation takes place, to support construction activities while the new village is being built, and to provide space for some of the first community services (school, clinic) when the first residents move to the new village.

Early construction activities include a barge landing and staging area to provide access to the new village site for the delivery of materials and equipment, access roads to the townsite and quarry and the first homes.

During Phase 3B, an environmental analysis – either an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – will be completed for all proposed infrastructure development. Alternatively, independent environmental analysis should be completed for each action by a resource agency.

Phase 3B Steps:

1. Develop Relocation Strategic Management Plan: Prepare a community-driven strategic management plan for implementing relocation; define guiding cultural principles, relocation phases and tasks.
2. Construct barge landing and staging area: Construct barge landing and establish a staging area for construction equipment and supplies, construction crew housing, etc.
3. Design + construct access road to quarry: Design and construct an access road to the quarry. Once the quarry is developed, gravel can be used for other parts of the relocation.
4. Design + construct access road to townsite: Design and construct an access road from the barge landing to the townsite. This will enable the transport of equipment and materials to develop the townsite.
5. Prepare Conceptual Community Layout Plan: Based on the planning phase topographical study, prepare a conceptual layout plan of the townsite. This will guide subsequent infrastructure development and provide a basis for design-level site investigations and environmental studies.
6. Prepare Long-Range Transportation Plan: Based on the location of roads in the Townsite Layout Plan, develop a Long-Range Transportation Plan for inclusion in the BIA Tribal Transportation Roads Inventory.
7. Prepare Housing Master Plan: Evaluate current and future housing needs; multi-family housing options; teacher housing needs. Determine what structures can be relocated. Complete demographic analysis to determine the ability of residents to obtain financing.
8. Prepare Energy Master Plan: Evaluate power supply options; renewable energy opportunities; administrative reporting requirements with Regulatory Commission. Evaluate annual diesel and gas requirements; delivery options; storage requirements; and siting requirements.
9. Develop Airport Layout Plan: Conduct additional geotechnical, environmental data gathering, scoping and development of Airport Layout Plan (ALP) to depict the planned development for an FAA airport.
10. Comprehensive Environmental Analysis: Complete an environmental analysis (Environmental Assessment [EA] or Environmental Impact Statement [EIS]) for all proposed infrastructure development. Alternatively, independent environmental analysis should be completed for each action by a resource agency.
11. Begin design + construction of first homes: Design single and multi-family housing units in accordance with the housing master plan.
12. Design multi-purpose/ evacuation shelter: Design an emergency evacuation center/multi- purpose building. This facility can serve as an emergency evacuation shelter and serve as a temporary location for community services during the pioneering and transition phases of the relocation, including school, clinic, tribal office, another community functions.
13. Design + construction mono-fill, Class III solid waste landfill, and access road: Design and permit an inert material mono-fill for disposal of construction and demolition debris. This waste would otherwise have to be backhauled to Anchorage at significant additional expense to construction projects. Design and permit a Class III Municipal Solid Waste Landfill.
14. Design water source and temporary watering point: Design a well/wellfield necessary to support community development. Design will include temporary well -head watering point facilities to support early development stages without sufficient housing to support community facilities.
15. Design wastewater lagoon and collection system: Design of wastewater handling system according to the water and sewer master plan. Design effort will include any consideration for any temporary facilities that will be required to provide wastewater service until sufficient housing units are constructed to support a community wide system.

Phase 3B Funding Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Impact Assistance Program; Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Transporation Program; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tribal Partnership Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Planning Assistance to States; Denali Commission funding to State of Alaska (SOA) Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) for Mini-Grant Assistance Program; SOA DCCED/DCRA Alaska Climate Change Impact Mitigation Program; SOA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Disaster Relief Funds; SOA Legislative Grant funding; Denali Commission Village Infrastructure Protection Program; U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Native American Native Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996.

Approximate Cost: $17.1 Million

Initial Move Phase 4A begins with the assessment, siting and design of key infrastructure and facilities in the new village. A survey and assessment of the homes and buildings at the old village site should be conducted to determine their suitability for relocation.

A Townsite Development Plan will be prepared, based on the conceptual community layout plan prepared in Phase 3B. The plan will advance the design of townsite roads identified in the Long Range Transportation Plan. The legal platting and recording of all lots and Rights-of Way defined in the Townsite Development Plan will be completed. As part of this effort, site control procedures and ordinances will be developed to ensure all future development conforms to the approved townsite plan.

Design activities will take place for a pioneer runway, townsite roads and staged water, sewer and power systems. Infrastructure for these facilities, as well as housing, will be staged to support gradually increasing population levels at the new village site.

In preparation for future construction activities, required gravel quantities will be determined, and specifications for the quarry size, material quality, ownership and royalty structure will be established. With the development of a mining and closure plan, the quarry can be opened, and a material stockpile can be established to support construction activities, including gravel for roads and housing pad development. Additional activities to support future construction activities, such as the purchase and mobilization of a construction equipment fleet and development of a construction man-camp will also take place.

Phase 4A Steps:

1. Assess homes/buildings at old site for relocation suitability: Evaluate the potential for the relocation of existing homes and buildings to the new village site. Determine availability of materials that can be salvaged from the existing villages site and reused in construction at the new village site.
2. Design pioneer runway: Identify a wide section of one of the access roads (outside the townsite) that can serve as a temporary runway to support the pioneering and transition phases.
3. Prepare a Townsite Development Plan: Based on the conceptual Community Layout Plan (Phase 3B) develop a Townsite Development Plan that will guide subsequent infrastructure development activities and be the basis for design-level site investigations and environmental studies. This effort will include a planning-stage topographical survey or mapping required to support townsite design.
4. Design townsite roads and update Long Range Transportation Plan: Design townsite roads according to Long Range Transportation Plan and BIA specifications to allow for construction of homes.
5. Complete Townsite Platting, Establish of Rights of Way, Develop Site Control Procedures: Complete the legal platting and recording of all lots and Rights-of Way defined in the Townsite Development Plan. As part of this effort, establish site control procedures and ordinances to required that all future development conform to the approved townsite plan.
6. Develop the material source: Develop a summary of gravel quantities required; establish the size of quarry; quantify quality of material available; evaluate ownership of resource; establish royalty structure; develop mining and closure plan. Open the quarry and establish a stockpile. Stone, gravel and other fill material will be needed for every construction activity associated with the move.
7. Install construction support: man-camp, equipment + temporary fuel storage: Evaluate maximum construction crew size and establish construction housing facilities accordingly (sleeping, laundry, bathing, and cooking facilities).
8. Design Staged Water Treatment, Distribution and Storage Systems: In accordance with the Sanitation Facilities Preliminary Engineering Report, design staged water systems to support varying populations at the new village site, including a modular packaged water treatment plant; water distribution system; public laundry and bathing facilities, and long-term water supply system.
9. Design Staged Sewer Systems: In accordance with the Sanitation Master Plan, design the full community’s staged sewage lagoon, sewer service for the pioneer construction season, transition occupancy sewer service including a temporary membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment system; wastewater sewage lagoon; and gravity sewer system.
10. Design Staged Power Facilities: Design a modular power plant with the capacity to handle the eventual electrical load of the entire community and a switch gear with the capacity to incorporate high penetration renewable energy. This design effort will include any necessary construction staging required to accommodate the staged growth of loads over the life of the relocation effort. Power plant design will include recovered heat facilities and renewable energy. Design renewable energy systems determined to be feasible in the energy master plan. Renewable energy systems will be incorporated into the prime power system.

Phase 4A Funding Sources: Alaska Energy Authority Rural Power System Upgrade Program; Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Climate Resilience (BIA TCR); Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Transportation Program (BIA TTP); Denali Commission Village Infrastructure Protection Program (VIPP); State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (SOA DCCED/DCRA) Designated Legislative Grant Program. Approximate Cost: $4.55 Million (2018 dollars)

Initial Move Phase 4B represents the opportunity for the community to begin constructing a positive foundation for the entire relocation process. During this phase, construction will also begin on the first stage of townsite roads to provide access to new or relocated homes. The multi-purpose evacuation shelter will be built to serve as an emergency evacuation shelter, as well as a temporary location for the school, clinic, tribal office, and other community services during the transition phases of the relocation.

With the development of Stage 1 Townsite Roads, Stage 1 Housing development will take place. Approximately 25-30% of the required housing units to accommodate the village population will be constructed. The phased relocation process poses unique challenges to infrastructure design. Homes built before a village-wide power grid or water/waste system must be self-sufficient to provide an acceptable standard of living (CCHRC).

Self-haul water, onsite sanitation systems, wood stoves, and individual home generators will be relied upon. Modular water/wastewater and power plants will be put into place during this phase. Plans for education through distance- and home-schooling, and communications through VHF radio are some of the likely characteristics defining early life in the new village site.

During this part of the Initial Move Phase, a few families may make the initial move to establish the new community. The first families may not live at the new village site full-time without the proper infrastructure to ensure their safety. Weather and travel conditions may limit access to and from the current village site, so this may be a “temporary” or seasonal move for these families.

In preparation for the Transition phase of the relocation effort, the first phase of power infrastructure will be developed. The power plant and bulk fuel systems constructed under this phase will include a modular generator, a small electrical distribution system to supply power to the houses and adjacent buildings, and bulk fuel storage which will expand on the temporary construction tanks for construction activities. The generator module will have automated switchgear and controls and provide recovered generator heat to the adjacent community buildings through a small district heat loop (AEA).

The new homes built during this phase will have continuous prime power and be suitable for year‐round residence in the Transition phase. The power generation, distribution, and recovered heat loop systems will be designed and constructed to accommodate the future growth of the community (AEA).

Additional design activities during this phase include the temporary and permanent school facilities, including teacher housing. The multi-purpose/evacuation building can be used for classroom instruction during the early stages of townsite develop with lower student population. If the clinic as the old village site is suitable for relocation, plans to move it will be made. Otherwise, a Level 1 village clinic will be designed.

Initial Move Phase 4B will provide enough infrastructure to support a small population of full‐time residents at the new village site and allow the village relocation effort to move from the Pioneering phase to the Transition phase.

Phase 4B Steps:

1. Build multi-purpose/ evacuation shelter: Construct the emergency evacuation center/multi-purpose building. In addition to serving as an emergency evacuation shelter, this facility can serve as a temporary location for the school, clinic, tribal office, and other community services during the pioneering and transition phases of the relocation.
2. Stage I Townsite Roads: Construct townsite roads to support Stage I development in accordance with the design completed during Phase 4B. Road development can be phased to provide access to housing pads and homes as they are built.
3. Stage I Power Plant and Electric Distribution: Furnish and install modular power plant with a 10,000‐gallon double wall intermediate tank and limited electrical distribution, for prime power to the new homes and community buildings. The power plant will be built with the capacity to handle the eventual electrical load of the entire community and a switch gear with the capacity to incorporate high penetration renewable energy. The power plant during Phase 5A Transition, with the power distribution system installed to provide electric distribution to most of the structures in a the new village site.
4. Phase I Housing: Construct or relocate approximately 25-30% of the required housing units to accommodate the first full-time residents.
5. Design bulk fuel storage and supply: Design bulk fuel storage for diesel and gasoline, barge header, and dispensing facility. A 10,000‐gallon double‐wall tank will be provided for the power plant intermediate tank. The power generation, distribution, and recovered heat loop systems will be designed and constructed to accommodate the future growth of the community. This phase will provide enough infrastructure to support the first full‐time residents at the new village site and allow the village relocation effort to move from the Pioneering phase to the Transition phase.
6. Design School Facility Design the temporary and permanent school facilities, including teacher housing. The multi-purpose/evacuation building can be used for classroom instruction during the early stages of townsite develop with lower student population.
7. Clinic: Design Level 1 Village Clinic.

Funding Sources: Bureau of Indian Affairs Housing Improvement Program (BIA HIP); Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Transportation Program (BIA TTP); U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA); Indian Health Services; Other; School District; State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (SOA DCCED/DCRA) Designated Legislative Grant Program.

Approximate Cost: $18.65 Million (2018 dollars)

Transition Phase 5A: 100+Population

Transition Phase 5A marks the first large‐scale mobilization of families to the new village site on a year-round basis. Essential facilities will be established, including a temporary school, post office, clinic, and washeteria, which may be sited at the evacuation shelter. A sewage lagoon and landfill will be constructed to support the first permanent residents of the new village, and onsite sanitation systems will be installed in homes. Stage II homes and townsite roads will be constructed, and a pioneer runway will be completed for year‐round village access. Water, wastewater, solid waste and power facilities will be put in place to support the first permanent residents of the new community. The Stage I Water Distribution System constructed under this phase includes a modular water treatment, a small water storage tank, and an insulated water main. The water plant will have the capacity to provide water for almost 200 people and will include a watering point. The water plant will provide running water to the construction camp and the evacuation shelter. The project will provide Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)-regulated water and year-round water supply for operation of the evacuation shelter as a school and the construction camp as a winter washeteria. The Airport Layout Plan developed during the Getting Ready phase will be advanced to a final design, and the access road from the townsite to the airport will be designed. Phase 5A Steps:

1. Install temporary space in evacuation shelter for community services (school, clinic, post office, etc.):
2. Complete interior work on the evacuation shelter in order to provide for community services including a school. The school space should be designed for a student occupancy of 80 students, with bathrooms, laundry, a small kitchen and dining room, and classrooms to meet school district design criteria.
3. Design telephone and cable systems: Design communication systems for the new townsite. These systems may be developed by private service providers.
4. Stage II Townsite Roads: Construct roads sufficient to support Phase II housing development
5. Build pioneer runway: Develop emergency air access pending development of permanent airport; helipad or pioneer airstrip. Strip will provide for emergency evacuation and infrastructure construction support.
6. Build sewage lagoon + landfill: Construct permanent landfill and sewage lagoon.
7. Install onsite sanitation systems in homes: Install Portable Alternative Sanitation Systems or other onsite system in each home.
8. Stage II Housing: Construct approximately 25-30 % of the required housing units.
9. Install Stage I Water Distribution System: Construct and install a modular water treatment, a small water storage tank, and insulated water main. The water plant will have the capacity to provide water for almost 200 people and will include a watering point. The water plant will provide running water service to the construction camp and the evacuation shelter. The project will provide DEC-regulated water and year-round water supply for operation of the evacuation shelter as a school and the construction camp as a winter Washeteria.
10. Final Airport and Access Road Design: Advance the Airport Layout Plan to a final design. Design the airport access road.

Phase 5A Funding Sources: Denali Commission VIPP; General Communications, Inc. (GCI) ; U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA); Indian Health Services; School District; United Methodist Commission on Relief

Approximate Cost: $19.5 Million (2018 dollars)

Transition Phase 5B: 200+Population

During Transition Phase 5B, the population will grow, reaching 200 or more. Telephone and cable communication systems will be installed. An FAA-approved lighted airport and other community buildings might be established during this phase as well. Community systems that can later be scaled to meet the needs of the entire community population should be agreed upon and established for water, wastewater, energy, and communications. For example, power infrastructure established in the earlier phases will be expanded, including the electrical distribution system. Bulk fuel improvements might include a diesel and gasoline fuel dispenser tank, and construction of a new tank farm to provide diesel and gasoline storage suitable for the community’s needs. A barge header pipeline might be constructed from the barge landing to the tank farm. Additionally, above‐ground steel gasoline and diesel pipelines may be constructed from the tank farm to the generator intermediate tank and the store fuel dispenser. The tank farm may be sized to provide sufficient storage capacity to meet the near‐term need for power generation, heating fuel, and gasoline and diesel dispensing. The tank farm dikes may be enlarged to accommodate the installation of additional tanks for future expansion (AEA).

1. Complete telephone & cable systems: Install communication systems for the new townsite.
2. Build FAA lighted airport: Construct FAA-approved, lighted airport.
3. Build bulk diesel + gasoline tank farm; connect tank farm to power plant: Construct a bulk diesel and gasoline tank farm with new tanks and retail dispensers in a preferred location. Construct the tank farm with oversized containment dike for future expansion. Provide a piped connection from the tank farm to the power plant intermediate tank and store dispensing tank.
4. Install fuel header pipeline from barge landing to tank farm: Install a new fuel header pipeline from deep‐water barge landing to new tank farm, with optional connection at shallow draft barge landing.

Funding Sources: Denali Commission Village Infrastructure Protection Program (VIPP); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program; General Communications, Inc. (GCI)

Approximate Cost: $35 Million (2018 dollars)

Final Move Phase: Population 350 People or More

This stage represents the final move of all community residents to the new town site. During this phase, the remaining homes to support the full community population will be built or relocated, and the townsite road system will be completed. The infrastructure systems developed during the Transition Phase will be scaled to accommodate more people and more homes. Additional community facility projects, such a K-12 school, a clinic, stores, and a tribal office, will be completed. The tank farm might be expanded to provide an increased capacity of diesel and gasoline storage. The electrical distribution and district heating systems will be completed, and larger generators may be installed in the generator module. Wind turbines may be erected at a preferred site depending on funding availability and the quality of the wind resource. Wind energy will be integrated into the power generation and district heating systems (AEA). Community-wide piped water, wastewater and water treatment systems will be designed and built as well as a community power grid. A crosswind runway will expand the airport’s functionality and the airport at the old village site will be deactivated.

Phase 6 Steps:

1. Build/relocate clinic: Relocate existing clinic or construct a new clinic
2. Build remaining community buildings: Relocate and/or construct other public facilities as needed.
3. Build/relocate K-12 school: Relocate exiting school or build a new school.
4. Townsite Roads Stage III: Build remaining townsite roads.
5. Housing Stage III: Build/relocate remaining homes.
6. Community Water + Wastewater Service: Develop permanent community water supply and distribution facilities master plan. Develop permanent community wastewater collection and treatment, according to sanitation facilities master plan.
7. Design/build power grid: Design and build a community-wide power grid to support all buildings and residences in community.
8. Build crosswind runway: Construct a crosswind runway to expand the airport’s functionality; deactivate the old airport.

Phase 6 Funding Sources: AEA Rural Power System Upgrade Program; BIA HIP; BIA TTP; EPA Safe Drinking Water Program; FAA Airport Improvement Program; HUD NAHASDA; Indian Health Services; Other; Regional health provider; School District; SOA DEC/VSW

Approximate Cost: $62.5 million (2018 dollars)

Decommissioning the Old Village Phase: Population 350 People or More

As the community and its partners plan for life at the new village site, consideration for how and when to close down and eventually restore the old village site is also an important priority. This section of the strategy outlines the community’s vision and a preliminary set of objectives and priority actions for addressing village closure and restoration. These actions are tied closely with ensuring the current village remains a healthy and safe place for residents to live as they plan and transition to their new home at the new village site. In 2016, the Newtok Environmental Site Inventory and Assessment was conducted for DCCED. The assessment document outlines the considerations most rural communities should address for decommissioning an abandoned village site (HECC). In many cases, communities will continue to use the old village site for subsistence purposes where exposure to many contaminants would be short term and the default clean up levels provided by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) may not apply. Because ADEC does not have clean up levels designed for subsistence use, HECC recommends conducting a risk assessment, a formal evaluation of hazards to human health and environment at a specific location by specific contaminants, to determine the most appropriate levels designed for subsistence use (HECC).

Phase 7 Steps:

1. Conduct inventory + assessment of remaining buildings, infrastructure and facilities at old village: The first part of this effort involves a desktop review of federal and state databases, existing environmental reports and aerial photographs for documentation indicating hazardous materials that could have an impact on environmental conditions at the old village site. Community members and agency stakeholders should be engaged to introduce them to the project, address community concerns and plan for the site reconnaissance. A site reconnaissance should be performed to verify information obtained during the desktop review and stakeholder engagement and to evaluate infrastructure for known and suspected environmental conditions. Community members should be interviewed to obtain local knowledge. Finally, a report should be prepared which summarizes the results of the hazardous materials inventory. The second part of this effort includes the preparation of a preliminary qualitative conceptual site model for the community, a description of environmental work which would be required for the old village site in order for environmental conditions to be managed and/or remediated, estimating preliminary costs associated with site management and/or remediation of environmental conditions, and the preparation of a report summarizing the results of the assessment.
2. Develop a workplan for assessing the site: A site assessment workplan presents an initial conceptual site model and details the plan for: determining sample locations; collecting soil, groundwater and/or surface water samples at the site; field screening samples; and laboratory analysis that should be requested. An Ecological Conceptual Site Model should be developed as part of site assessment activities. Approval of the workplan is needed before performing the field work.
3. Conduct field assessment to determine safe contaminant levels for subsistence use: The main purpose of the field assessment is to determine what types of contaminants are on site, the concentrations of the contaminants and their extent both vertically and horizontally. The field investigation usually includes sampling soil, groundwater if encountered and surface water if in the vicinity of suspected contamination.
4. Prepare a Site Characterization Report: The Site Characterization Report presents an analysis of field and laboratory data, determines clean up criteria and recommends clean up techniques. A risk assessment may be included as part of the report if necessary. This report is submitted for review and approval by ADEC. Sometimes site conditions require multiple field investigations before a reasonable cleanup plan can be determined.
5. Remediate the old village site: Once a cleanup technique has been decided upon, a plan is submitted for ADEC approval and then the work commences. If the site has been remediated to acceptable standards a “cleanup complete” status will be given by ADEC. If a complete cleanup is not reasonable for the site, ADEC may allow residual contamination to remain if it is not deemed high risk to human or ecological health. Certain conditions, restrictions to land use or institutional controls (such as surface water monitoring) may be placed on the site by ADEC.

Phase 7 Funding Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Program; Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) Program; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Coastal Resilience Funds; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP).

Approximate Cost: $10 million (2018 dollars)