Introduction

The University of Alaska (UA) will be hosting a focused workshop entitled "Coastal Erosion: Strategies for Alaska" as one of a series of a kickoff events organized by the University for the International Polar Year (IPY). Jointly sponsored by the Denali Commission and the University of Alaska, the workshop ties directly into a UA IPY initiative entitled "North by 2020". Hosted by the International Arctic Research Center, the workshop is scheduled to take place Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at the IARC/Akasofu building on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Overview

The problems facing the Alaska coastal zone are well known to us by now, yet definitive and broadly- applicable solutions remain elusive. Obtaining relevant information can be difficult, and problems are exacerbated when building continues in harm’s way. Often coastal engineering responses in Alaska have been implemented as rapidly deployed emergency measures based on insufficient forcing and substrate data – an approach that compromises project longevity.

This one-day meeting will serve to touch base with current strategies and research results regarding environmental forcing of the coastal zone and various "hard" and "soft" solutions already available. In an afternoon of discussion we will then proceed to map out strategies to accomplish the following aims:

Outreach: How to better inform Alaskans about the nature, extent, and technical aspects of coastal zone erosion problems in the state. This includes information for awareness, e.g., to prevent problems by improving building and siting choices.

Data needs: Identify general coastal engineering data requirements, data distribution requirements (e.g. data formats), and how to proceed with establishment of a distribution service/center

Opportunities: Identify what work (data, outreach, environmental/engineering research, engineering solutions) is underway that can be leveraged into this effort

Projects: Identify longer-term objectives, e.g., a demonstration project involving a new type of engineering solution (would require site selection, technical/ geotechnical/ environmental support info, obtaining state/federal support, etc) or data-gathering campaign

Proposals: Requirements for designing the project(s) identified above – clarify project scope, budget, time-table, and potential funding sources and partners

This workshop will be the launching point for an effort that will begin moving towards meeting these objectives. In the months following the workshop, attendees would be solicited from time to time to help refine the emerging project planning documents that are initiated during this workshop. Ultimately, we would like to facilitate information exchange between different groups of experts and community representatives while at the same time enhancing delivery of information needed by community and agency planners. Ultimately, this may help to mitigate coastal erosion problems in Alaska by facilitating action, preventative as well as defensive, and minimizing implementation delay due to data problems or selection of solution methodology.

Attendance: by invitation

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Meeting Information

• Agenda (PDF)