Alaskan native villages threatened by erosion / Russell M. Trevino, editor.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Trevino, Russell M.

Series:

Environmental science, engineering and technology series.

Environmental science, engineering and technology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Emergency management--Alaska.

Emergency management.

Relocation (Housing)--Alaska.

Relocation (Housing).

Erosion--Alaska.

Erosion.

Floods--Alaska.

Floods.

Villages--Alaska.

Villages.

Alaska Natives--Government relations.

Alaska Natives.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (176 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Nova Science Publishers, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

: Through a process of stakeholder meetings, review of previous reports and extensive correspondence with communities, 178 Alaska communities were found to have reported erosion problems. This book presents the results of the Alaska Baseline Erosion Assessment (BEA), a combination of study efforts specifically funded by the U.S. Congress, and describes how those results were attained. Specifically, this book reports on the flooding and erosion threats that Alaska Native villages currently face, the federal programs that are available to assist villages facing potential disasters, the status of village relocation efforts and how federal assistance to relocating villages is prioritized. This book has been prepared with the intent of providing information to Federal, State, Tribal and local decision-makers that can assist them in making informed decisions about erosion issues in Alaska and in developing strategies and plans for addressing those issues. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.

Contents:

Intro

ALASKAN NATIVE VILLAGES THREATENED BY EROSION

CONTENTS

PREFACE

Chapter 1 ALASKA BASELINE EROSION ASSESSMENT

ABBREVIATIONS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Summary of Findings

Appropriate Responses

1.0. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Study Authority

1.2. Study Purpose and Objectives

1.3. Related Reports and Studies

1.4. Report Organization

2.0. EFFORTS TO MANAGE EROSION

2.1. Individual Communities

2.2. State of Alaska

2.3. Federal Agencies

2.3.1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

2.3.2. Natural Resources Conservation Service

2.4. Collaborative Efforts to Manage Erosion

2.4.1. Newtok Planning Group

2.4.2. Immediate Action Working Group

3.0. STUDY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RISK RATING

3.1. Identification of Affected Communities

3.1.1. Technical Committee

3.1.2. Regional Outreach, Alaska Native Tribes, and Community Coordination

3.1.3. Identification of Communities with Erosion Issues

3.1.4. Findings from Analysis of Community Surveys

3.2. Assessing Community Erosion Issues

3.2.1. Erosion Information Papers and Detailed Erosion Assessments

Detailed Erosion Assessments

Erosion Information Papers

3.3. Rating Community Risk

3.3.1. Risk Rating Process

Criteria Weighting Factors

Calculation of Community Risk Rating

Example

4.0. COMMUNITY PRIORITIZATON

4.1. Priority Category Development

4.2. Priority Action Communities

4.3. Monitor Conditions Communities

5.0. APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO EROSION

5.1. Summary of Appropriate Responses by Priority Designation

5.1.1. Priority Action Communities

Types of Appropriate Responses

Initiate Planning

Continue Planning and Design Efforts

Continue Construction

Specific Appropriate Responses by Community

5.1.2. Monitor Conditions Communities.

5.1.3. Minimal Erosion Communities

5.2. Interim Measures

5.2.1. Riverine Expedient Measures

5.2.2. Coastal Expedient Measures

5.3. Programs for Erosion Control Assistance

5.3.1. State of Alaska

5.3.2. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

5.3.3. Natural Resources Conservation Service

6.0. FLOODING RISKS

7.0. CONCLUSIONS

8.0. REFERENCES

End Notes

Chapter 2 ALASKA NATIVE VILLAGES: LIMITED PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON RELOCATING VILLAGES THREATENED BY FLOODING AND EROSION

WHY GAO DID THIS STUDY

WHAT GAO RECOMMENDS

WHAT GAO FOUND

BACKGROUND

THE FLOODING AND EROSION THREATS TO VILLAGES HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETELY ASSESSED, BUT SOME THREATENED VILLAGES ARE EXPLORING RELOCATION OPTIONS

Thirty-one Imminently Threatened Villages Have Been Identified, but the Threat Assessment Is Incomplete

Twelve Imminently Threatened Villages Are Exploring Relocation Options for All of, or a Portion of, Their Existing Villages

FEDERAL DISASTER PROGRAMS HAVE PROVIDED LIMITED ASSISTANCE TO VILLAGES, AND NO COMPREHENSIVE RELOCATION PROGRAM EXISTS

FEMA Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Programs Have Provided Limited Assistance to Villages

No Comprehensive Federal Relocation Program Exists, but Individual Agencies Are Providing Some Relocation Assistance, and Other Flooding and Erosion Mitigation Activities Are Ongoing

MOST OF THE 12 VILLAGES EXPLORING RELOCATION OPTIONS HAVE MADE LIMITED PROGRESS

Newtok Has Made the Most Progress of the 4 Villages That Will Likely Relocate All at Once

Eight Other Villages Are Gradually Migrating to New Locations Over Time or Are Considering Options for Doing So

LACKING A LEAD FEDERAL ENTITY TO PRIORITIZE AND COORDINATE ASSISTANCE, INDIVIDUAL AGENCY EFFORTS MAY NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE GROWING THREAT TO RELOCATING VILLAGES.

Federal Agencies Use a Variety of Criteria to Provide Relocation Assistance, Which May Not Ensure That Villages in the Greatest Peril Get the Highest Priority

The Lack of a Lead Federal Entity Has Become an Impediment to Village Relocation Efforts

CONCLUSIONS

MATTERS FOR CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION

AGENCY COMMENTS

APPENDIX I. ADDITIONAL KEY FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT CAN ADDRESS FLOODING AND EROSION PROBLEMS

APPENDIX II. COMMENTS FROM THE DENALI COMMISSION

Chapter 3 THE STATE AND FEDERAL RESPONSE TO STORM DAMAGE AND EROSION IN ALASKA'S COASTAL VILLAGES

INTRODUCTION - BACKGROUND (INFORMATIONAL)

Chapter 4 THE STATE AND FEDERAL RESPONSE TO STORM DAMAGE AND EROSION IN ALASKA'S COASTAL VILLAGES

INTRODUCTION

MISSION AND AUTHORITY

ALASKAN DISASTERS

NORTHWEST STORM OF SEPTEMBER 2007

COASTAL EROSION AND DISASTER AUTHORITIES

PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PROGRAM

HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM

SCIENCE AND CLIMATE

CONCLUSION

Chapter 5 THE STATE AND FEDERAL RESPONSE TO STORM DAMAGE AND EROSION IN ALASKA'S COASTAL VILLAGES

PACIFIC OCEAN DIVISION

CORPS OF ENGINEERS AUTHORITIES

Specifically Authorized Studies and Projects

Continuing Authorities Program

Planning Assistance to States

Other Corps of Engineers Authorities

Alaska Specific Coastal Erosion Authorities

CHALLENGES

Chapter 6 THE STATE AND FEDERAL RESPONSE TO STORM DAMAGE AND EROSION IN ALASKA'S COASTAL VILLAGES

Chapter 7 THE STATE AND FEDERAL RESPONSE TO STORM DAMAGE AND EROSION IN ALASKA'S COASTAL VILLAGES

CHAPTER SOURCES

INDEX

Blank Page.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-61324-173-9

OCLC:

730517935