The Newtok Planning Group was formed in May 2006 when representatives from state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations began meeting to coordinate assistance to the village of Newtok in its relocation to the new village site, Mertarvik, on Nelson Island. The Division of Community & Regional Affairs coordinates the Newtok Planning Group (NPG). Download a list of the participants of the NPG.

Through this effort, the agencies and organizations working with Newtok are finding new ways to collaborate and leverage resources to assist the Newtok community in its relocation efforts.  Over the past two years, a community layout for the future village has been completed and funding has been acquired for a barge landing and staging area, an access road, and an evacuation center.  A suite of emergency response plans is being developed for the community, and studies are underway for water/sewer and alternative energy infrastructure, housing, quarry development and a future airport.

To learn more about the emergency response and relocation work currently underway for Newtok and the new village site, Mertarvik, please see the drop-down menu titled

"Emergency Response/ Relocation Work", below.

The community layout plan for Mertarvik, Newtok's selected relocation site on Nelson Island, was completed in June 2008.  The community layout provides the "blueprint" for future development at the new village site.

Download a PDF file of this document

To learn more about erosion, flooding and village relocation efforts at Newtok, go to:

Resources

Newtok Community Information Summary

(community profile)

Meeting Minutes/Agendas
Menu January 9, 2009 Meeting Agenda September 30, 2008 Meeting Agenda August 21, 2008 Meeting Agenda April 17, 2008 Meeting Agenda Feb 13, 2008 Meeting Agenda Jan 10, 2008 Meeting Agenda Jan 10, 2008 Meeting Notes September 24, 2007 Meeting Agenda September 24, 2007 Meeting Notes January 8, 2007 Scheduling Session Notes March 29, 2007 Meeting Agenda May 11, 2007 Meeting Agenda May 11, 2007 Meeting Notes December 11, 2006 Meeting Notes December 11, 2006 Meeting Agenda September 27, 2006 Meeting Agenda August 17, 2006 Meeting Notes August 17, 2006 Meeting Agenda July 18, 2006 Meeting Agenda June 9, 2006 Meeting Summary June 9, 2006 Meeting Agenda May 25, 2006 Small Group Notes May 25, 2006 Denali Commission Notes

Emergency Response/
Relocation Work
Menu Community Layout Plan Mertarvik Barge Landing and Staging Area Evacuation Shelter Barge Landing Access Road Emergency Response Planning Airport Geotechnical and Geophysical Studies Housing Water/Sewer

Newtok Planning Group Documents
Menu Mertarvik Community Layout Plan Conceptual Community Layout Option 1 - Figure 1 Conceptual Community Layout Option 1 - Figure 2 Conceptual Community Layout Option 1 - Figure 3 Conceptual Community Layout Option 1 - Figure 7

Reports and Studies
Menu 2008 July: EA and FONSI, Newtok Evacuation Center 2008 April: Newtok Section 117 Project Fact Sheet 2008 March: Newtok Local Hazards Mitigation Plan 2008 March: Newtok Airport Relocation Reconnaissance Study 2008 March: Newtok Airport Relocation Recon. Appendices 2008 February: Mertarvik Townsite Geotechnical Report 2007 October: Final Well Test, Mertarvik 2007 April: Mertarvik Geophysical Investigation 2006 February: Newtok Preliminary Relocation Planning Activities Table 2006 August: Newtok Integrated Solid Waste Plan 2006 February/April: Preliminary Relocation Planning Analysis 2006 February: Newtok Relocation Planning Activities Preliminary Schedule 2004 January: Background for Relocation Report 2002 November: Preliminary Geotechnical Overview, Village Relocation Site 2001 December: Newtok Transportation Plan 1984 February/November: Ninglick River Erosion Assessment

Maps and Aerial Photos
Menu Newtok Community Profile Map - Area Map Newtok Community Profile Map - Sheet 1 Newtok Community Profile Map - Sheet 2 Mertarvik Area Use Map - Sheet 1 Mertarvik Area Use Map - Sheet 2 Mertarvik Area Use Map - Sheet 3 Mertarvik Area Use Map - Sheet 4 Newtok Erosion 2005-2007 Newton Erosion: GPS on Satellite Photo Aerial Photo of Takikchak with Inset Feature Photos Newtok Shoreline Erosion Map September 22, 2005 Flood Newtok Airport Relocation: Nelson Island Overview Newtok Airport Relocation: Review of Previous Geotechnical Investigations

Field Trip Photos
Menu July 13, 2006 Field Trip July 19, 2006 Field Trip August 8, 2006 Field Trip August 15, 2006 Field Trip

Presentations and  Slideshows
Menu Newtok Erosion Slideshow Overview of Flooding, Erosion and Relocation Efforts (Flash) Sustainability in Village Relocation (Adobe PDF)

Barge delivery of BIA Housing Improvement Program packages to Mertarvik

Flying over Mertarvik near the spring and

the temporary barge ramp

For more information, please contact:
Sally Russell Cox, Planner

Newtok Planning Group Coordinator
Division of Community & Regional Affairs
907 269-4588
sally.cox@alaska.gov