Juneau: Local, tribal, and federal partners join forces to find long-term solution for glacial lake outburst flooding
AkGlobe News/10300753

~ Juneau, Alaska - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and the City and Borough of Juneau have come together to address the issue of Mendenhall glacial lake outburst flooding in the capital city. This partnership includes local, tribal, and federal partners who are committed to finding a long-term solution to protect Juneau residents from the dangers of this recurring natural disaster.

A $1 million participating agreement was signed by the Forest Service and City & Borough of Juneau, with support from the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida). This funding will be used for near-term studies to gather important data for the General Investigative Study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Without the strong support from Tlingit & Haida, this federal funding would not have been possible.

President Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson of Tlingit & Haida expressed the importance of this agreement in addressing the risks posed by glacial lake outburst flooding. "Protecting lives, homes, and vital infrastructure is our foremost priority," he stated. "Tlingit & Haida is dedicated to working alongside our partners to develop solutions that are not only effective and sustainable but also grounded in our cultural values."

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The City Manager of CBJ, Katie Koester, emphasized that both short- and long-term solutions are necessary to protect homes and infrastructure in the Mendenhall Valley. "Permanently solving this threat to our community will be an ongoing partnership," she said.

Alaska Regional Forester Chad VanOrmer also highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing local flooding. "We recognize that addressing local flooding requires a collaborative approach that includes the voices of our partners and Alaska Native communities who have stewarded the land for thousands of years," he stated. "Their perspectives and insights are valuable to building a flood relief plan that respects cultural values and long-term sustainability."

The ultimate goal of this partnership is to protect public and private infrastructure from the devastating effects of glacial lake outburst flooding. The Forest Service, CBJ, Tlingit & Haida, and other partners will work together to contribute to near-term studies and actively participate in the Corps of Engineers General Investigation Study to find long-term solutions.

With this agreement in place, the community of Juneau can look forward to a safer and more resilient future. The joint efforts of these local, tribal, and federal partners demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting the well-being of Juneau residents and their homes.

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