Doc Meister - Boardwalks

DESCRIPTION:

Name of Infrastructure: Kotlik Boardwalk
Year Built: 1980
Current Inventory of Boardwalks & General Description:

The boardwalk was built utilizing excess HUD electrification funds. The primary use was to haul freight from the old airport to the school and stores. Pedestrian and ATV use became common after construction.

OWNERSHIP, OPERATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT:

Name of Owner: Kotlik Tribal Council

General Condition of Infrastructure:

The boardwalk is getting dilapidated. A new boardwalk project has been funded from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Branch of Roads for a total grant of $2.4m, however, based on 2006 cost estimates, an additional $350,000 is needed to built the approximately 4,100 lineary feet of boardwalk that is slated for replacement under the BIA Boardwalk Improvement Project.

COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES:

THE KOTLIK BOARDWALK PROJECT 2005-2006

The current boardwalk project from Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has had a tumultuous cycle of being funded to not being funded and back to being funded. The first retraction of funds may have been attributed to inactivity to proceed with construction, but more importantly, the United States was at war with Iraq and our government needed all necessary funds.

The Kotlik Tribal Council had gotten the funds reinstated with the assistance of Mr. Fred Smith from the Association of Village Council Presidents. During the restoration of the boardwalk funds, BIA made a stipulation that the Tribal Council will be awarded the funds after signing an agreement with the Bureau. BIA’s acceptance of the agreement stipulated that only the current boardwalk design by RP Kinney & Associates was to be strictly adhered to.

The Tribal Council was provided a short window of opportunity in which to sign the agreement. This agreement bound the Tribal Council to the project design however, community members were not provided sufficient information and time to submit knowledgeable comments to the project.

The current design elevates the ten foot wide heavy duty boardwalk 30” high with no railing. There are no ramps in the design for other vehicular cross traffic such as snowmobiles, ATVs or heavy equipment. There are no steps for pedestrians to access the boardwalk. This design is an elevated barrier for most modes of common transport for the community members. A current concern of the elevated boardwalk is maintenance.

The Yukon Delta (where Kotlik is built) was formed over hundreds of years of silt being deposited allowing growth of the delta fan. This alluvial deposit remains permanently frozen underground and causes periodic upheaval. Shifting of the land has posed foundation problems for many buildings. Locals are aware that even lands previously above the flood plain now are covered with water. The older HUD homes within the community had foundations replaced where the pads were placed upon the frozen permafrost, insulated and covered with existing soil. Shifting and sinking continued. The newer HUD homes have steel pilings forced into the ground to 38 feet. They seem to be holding steady so far. But, we fear this elevated boardwalk will shift and weave requiring additional funds to repair.

As the community grows, there is more mail and freight being hauled from the airport to the post office, stores, homes and the school. Distribution of freight alone requires heavier ATVs and larger freight carts. The old boardwalk, built in 1980 was constructed of 2”x 6” boards and is in serious need of repair. We are threatened with the fact that if freight is undeliverable from the airport airlines will quit delivering food and other items necessary for existence in the village.

We envision that lawsuits will become problematic as energetic children or ATVs go crashing off the boardwalk. Children as toddlers may fall off the boardwalk. Elders who become unsteady on their feet may also become prone to accidents. Ice during the winter will definitely become cumbersome.

Engineers in this day and age have constructed marvels in the world. One of the current marvels is an invention several years ago wherein interlocking mats called duramats are placed on tundra, bog or sandy, silty areas and pose no threat to the environment. This new material is virtually indestructible as heavy equipment has been used upon it traversing bogs and similar places.

Community members are more in favor of constructing the new boardwalk with the new material. Long term maintenance will be less challenging and threats of lawsuits should be nonexistent. We do not understand the reasons that BIA remains steadfast to the current design. The residents of Kotlik will have to live with the result of the designed construction.

Update 4/7/2006 - BIA has agreed to lower the profile of the new Boardwalk project to address the concerns of residents.

Update 10/10/2006 - The community's construction manager, BIA, and the Kotlik Tribal Council held a major teleconference to resolve lingering design detail conflicts. Significant progress was made on major items. It appears the only obstacle hindering progress at this point is the shorftfall in project funding to complete the project. A DCCED CDBG application is pending approval at DCCED for the balance of funding needed to complete this project.

FUTURE NEEDS:

Future Needs: A new boardwalk is needed.
Possible Funding Source(s): BIA

Date Reviewed and Approved by the Kotlik Planning Board 2006

Short Term, Mid Term, or Long Term? MT

Local Lead Agency? Kotlik Tribal Council