Project Title: Rehabilitate Float Dock and Retaining Wall (FFS #R7GW)

State: Alaska

Project Description: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded replacement of an old, worn floating dock and an adjacent retaining wall at the Koyukuk/Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Galena, Alaska.

With $15,000 in Recovery Act funding, the dock’s floating panels were replaced and the retaining wall was rebuilt. The gravel required for the retaining wall was purchased locally. Two seasonal employees, including a student hired with Recovery Act funding, worked with refuge staff on the project, gaining valuable work experience in a rural area where jobs are scarce.

The Koyukuk/Nowitna Refuge Complex is located in Alaska’s Interior and is accessible only by boat or airplane. The dock provides the only safe access for loading and unloading aircraft during the summer months. The dock was uneven and the surface had deteriorated, making it slick to walk on when wet. In addition, the deteriorating retaining wall adjacent to the dock could no longer hold the soil bank. “This will provide a safer area for accessing our planes,” said Refuge Manager Kenton Moos. The project was reported to be substantially finished on September 30, 2010.

For additional information, please contact:
Larry Bell; (907) 786-3309; larry_bell@fws.gov
Bruce Woods; (907) 786-3695; bruce_woods@fws.gov

Photos:

ARRA supported the construction of a new retaining wall and safer dock.

Installing the new retaining wall at Koyukuk/Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge.

Installing the floating dock at Koyukuk/Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Originally posted 08/07/2009
Updated 08/19/2009
Updated 03/18/2010
Page Completed 02/07/2011