Juneau: Update from the City Manager: Pushing for an Enduring Solution to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

~ Juneau, Alaska - In a recent press release, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced a change in direction for addressing the ongoing threat of glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF) in the Mendenhall Valley. This news has caused concern and uncertainty for the community as they have invested years of effort and hope into finding a long-term solution.

According to USACE, they will no longer be pursuing the lake tap as the identified long-term solution. Instead, their focus will be on robust flood fighting measures. While this is important for immediate protection, it leaves uncertainty around finding an enduring solution.

City Manager Katie Koester expressed her concerns about this change in direction and its potential impact on the community. She stated that all planning and design efforts have been diverted to flood fighting, leaving little progress towards an enduring solution.

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In response to this news, Koester has been actively engaging with federal delegation and senior USACE leadership. She met with staff from Senator Dan Sullivan's office and Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), Lee Forsgren. The Assistant Secretary reaffirmed his commitment to finding an enduring solution for Juneau but did not provide any specifics.

Koester also met with staff from Senator Lisa Murkowski's office and has kept Representative Begich's office informed about the situation. She emphasized that their delegation remains dedicated advocates for this project and for Juneau.

During a hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Wednesday, Senator Sullivan directly questioned USACE leadership about their change in position. He highlighted the urgency of the threat facing Juneau and pressed for accountability regarding the reversal. He also sought clarity on interim protections and a permanent fix. Army officials testified that they are committed to working towards a durable solution for Juneau and senior USACE officials have promised to visit Juneau this spring to further discuss options.

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Meanwhile, City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is taking action. They have submitted a Congressionally Directed Spending request for $8 million to support the geotechnical and planning work necessary to advance the lake tap solution. This solution is considered the most cost-effective, timely, and least disruptive option. It has also received endorsements from Tlingit & Haida, the USDA Forest Service, and CBJ. The geotechnical work will provide more information about the quality of the rock and refine cost estimates.

Koester thanked residents for their support and encouraged them to continue advocating alongside them. She assured that they will keep fighting to protect the community and its future.

The visit by senior USACE officials this spring will be a crucial opportunity for Juneau to demonstrate the unique and imminent threat they are facing and push for clarity on the path forward. In the meantime, CBJ is pushing forward on all available fronts in hopes of finding an enduring solution for Juneau.

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