[ Post a Response | McGrath Alaska Community Message Board ]
Posted by City Administrator on 5/23/2008, 2:13 pm, in reply to "River FYI"
216.10.53.154
from John W. Madden, Division Director, Alaska Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
The NRCS project does indeed provide for complete reconstruction of the 1,100' section of the road/levee (under and above water) immediately downriver from the log haul-out. All of the legal land-rights issues have been resolved in court and this project is going out to bid in early June and will be awarded in early July. It is anticipated that the contractor will blast and haul rock from the quarry during the winter months. Actual construction will be completed during the summer of 2009 when water levels are favorable. You are welcome to stop by any time to look at the plans.
Due to increased erosion activity since the spring of 2005 when the NRCS project was approved, this area has been closely watched and measured by city and NRCS staff. Additional below water surveying will be completed next week by NRCS to make sure the river bed has not changed, necessitating last minute changes to the engineered plans. All State and Federal funding is assured (proper extensions granted for funding and Permits) and the two grants (NRCS and the State providing McGrath's "local match") will be closed out prior to Dec. 31, 2009.
Last August, a group of agencies joined the city on a site visit to address the possibility of emergency measures that would be taken prior to the completion of the NRCS project, should that become necessary. The State of Alaska, Dept. of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the City of McGrath are working closely to have all financial, physical data and other information assembled and ready to implement should it be needed in case of a breach at the levee or if erosion threatens either the area from Ben's shop to the Innoko Blg. along Tonzona or the end of the runway past the ball park to the unimproved barge landing. Mr. John Ramsey of that agency paid a site visit last week for an additional "look-see" now after breakup, taking copious notes and photos and will have their files updated.
Meantime, the very lengthy process undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers as authorized by a Congressional Appropriation a couple of years ago, has their staff working over the past 2 years on a 3-year Feasibility Study, which is an in-depth determination to show that the project funds would be spent in the Federal Government's best interest. Their staff members are in frequent contact with the city staff and make periodic visits to gather further info. That process is moving forward on schedule. It is looking at the entire oxbow encompassing McGrath's infrastructure and residences.
Natalie Baumgartner
City Administrator
  |
|
Responses:
|
Thank you for using McGrathAlaska.net's Community Message Board!