Newtok, Alaska

The village of Newtok is eroding in part because it sits on permafrost that is melting, leading to rapid erosion and as a result of erosion from flooding of the Ninglick River. Snow is melting earlier in the spring, sea ice is disappearing and the ocean temperature is increasing.

In 2006, The Newtok Planning Group was formed to coordinate the relocation of the community to a new village site, Mertavik, on Nelson Island. The new site is located 9 miles from Newtok. 

Adaptation and Mitigation

In 1983, Consultants were hired to prepare the Ninglick River Erosion Assessment. The conclusion of the assessment was that providing full protection to stop the erosion would be prohibitively expensive. Relocating was deemed to be less expensive.

Project Initiation 

In 1994, the Newtok Traditional Council started a relocation planning process as a response to the erosion problem. The Council analyzed six potential village relocation sites, selecting one on nearby Nelson Island.

Community Engagement 

Throughout the relocation process there have been regular voluntary meetings for community decision-making. Interviews were held with village residents and Newtok Tribal Council. Residents were given options to relocate to surrounding villages, relocate to Bethel, or relocate to a new development site. A new development site was preferred because the unique culture, close community ties and traditional way of life was left most intact.

Outcomes 

Newtok is often used as an example of a successful relocation process, though there has been little progress in developing the new site for the town of Mertavik. Pioneer infrastructure such as the evacuation center, houses, barge ramp and landing, storage sites, access roads and base camp have been built on the new site. Continued development has been challenged by political disputes and the freezing of federal funds. Understanding the challenges of the relocation process can help to inform the framework used in Tuktoyaktuk.

The timelines, resources and documentation recorded through Newtok’s relocation process provide examples to guide the relocation process framework for Tuktoyaktuk.