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In 2007, the
Immediate
Action Workgroup (IAW) of the
Alaska Climate Change
Sub-Cabinet was established to address known threats to
communities caused by coastal erosion, thawing permafrost, flooding,
and fires. The IAW focused its work with the communities of
Newtok, Shishmaref, Kivalina, Koyukuk, Unalakleet and Shaktoolik.
The IAW completed its first phase of work in April 2008. The
IAW's
Recommendations Report to the Governor's
Subcabinet on Climate
Change recommended that a suite of emergency response plans be
developed for each of the six communities as the most
immediate and cost-effective mechanism to reduce the risk of loss to
lives and property. These plans will provide the foundation
for comprehensive community planning that will consider the need
for, and viability of, relocation, or other means to enhance
community sustainability.
The Alaska Department of
Military and Veteran's Affairs (DMVA) Division of Homeland Security
and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) received fiscal year 2009 funding
to develop this suite of emergency response plans for the six IAW
communities, including including emergency operations, community
evacuation, and hazard mitigation.
Emergency response planning is
especially important to the Newtok community during the relocation
planning and actual relocation process. Severe erosion of the north
bank of the Ninglick River has removed an important land buffer and
has rendered the village more vulnerable to storm surge and flooding
of the Ninglick River during coastal storms. The purpose of
emergency response planning is to ensure that the community is
prepared to respond in the event of a natural disaster.
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