1. Mertarvik Relocation Project
Alaska Tribal Transportation Symposium
March 20, 2018

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

3. 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

4. Mertarvik, Alaska
Congress passed S. 924, allowing the village to relocate to Nelson Island.
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.
– Planning, design and environmental activities take place.

5. 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.

6. Project Team

7. Mertarvik Community Layout

8. 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

9. 2017 Construction Season

10. 2017 Construction Season

11. Transportation Planning11

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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