NRCS Alaska News

January 11, 2008

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In This Issue

Tanana River Floodplain Acquisition Project Complete

NRCS Recruiting Summer Bio-Technicians

Planning for NRCS All-Employee Meeting Proceeds

NRCS Conservation Photo Contest Deadline Friday

Personnel Actions

Tanana River Floodplain Acquisition Project Complete

The Tanana River Floodplain Acquisition Project at Salcha was implemented in 2005 in an attempt to identify, prioritize, and acquire residential and commercial property from willing sellers as a means to alleviate flood related damages and to restore floodplain function. Flooding was occurring due to aufeis overflow, ice jams, high flows in the river and sloughs caused by heavy rain and groundwater seepage. Flooding was occurring in December and January due to overflow, and from April to September due to ice jams and heavy rains. The worst flooding occurred at during the first days of 2003 when up to four feet of water spilled over the banks of the Tanana River during -30 degree weather. Hundreds of homeowners were affected and tens of thousands of dollars spent in emergency services.

The US Army Corps of Engineers completed a preliminary study in 2003 that concluded an eight-mile dike would be required to alleviate the flooding at an estimated cost of between $80 and $120 million. The total estimated value of all of the at-risk properties was $20 million.  It was decided that a voluntary acquisition project would be implemented with the $1 million appropriated.

Operating under Cooperative Agreement, NRCS and the Fairbanks North Star Borough identified more than 700 at-risk properties within the study area. A risk assessment prioritized the study area by defining areas of extreme risk, high risk, or moderate risk.  After numerous public meetings and a two month application process, NRCS received 114 applications for buyout. Field examination performed in 2005 and 2006 further prioritized properties within each risk area. 

It became evident that the funding available would only suffice to acquire 5 or 6 properties. The task during field examination was to identify the top ten effected properties and prioritize them based on elevation, distance from the active flow of the river, and past history. This meant that 30 – 40 properties had to be examined within certain zones and ten of these identified as the most impacted by flooding and therefore the highest priority.

The funding available had to be used not only for acquisition, but also for appraisal, closing, demolition and removal, and site cleanup and restoration. Soil drilling and testing was also performed on all underground fuel storage tanks. Fair market value appraisals were requested on the six highest priority properties. Of these, five families elected to accept the appraised amounts and their properties were acquired. The sixth had hazardous materials issues and did not accept the appraisal amount.

The five properties acquired were the most effected by flooding during the past 10 years.  The improvements were removed by a local non-profit organization saving nearly $100,000 of project funds. Most of the remaining funds were used for site cleanup, underground tank removal and site rehabilitation. Seeding with native species will occur in the spring of 2008.

A Conservation Easement Deed was issued to NRCS for all of the acquired land with the Borough holding fee simple title. This deed provides that no habitable building or facility will be constructed on the property in perpetuity. Other provisions require restoration and future management of the land for its floodplain values. No future construction will be allowed on the property. The Borough has some tentative plans to use the area as an interpretive nature park for public education in floodplain dynamics and values. Any such use would require NRCS approval.

This project has been a success in showing the cost effectiveness of a volunteer acquisition project as opposed to a high dollar major construction project. The cost savings to the Borough in emergency services alone will pay for the project costs within 7 – 10 years. There will still be a need for emergency services during flood events in this area. There will not be a need, however, for emergency personnel to risk their lives to evacuate people during a flood event. They can now breath a sigh of relief because those high risk families are no longer at risk.

NRCS Recruiting Summer Bio-Technicians

The Alaska soil survey program will be filling up to four Plant Ecologist (Bio-Technician) positions for the summer of 2008.  Positions will be located in Homer and Fairbanks, and the length of the assignments in Homer will be approximately 18 weeks and those in Fairbanks will be approximately 12 weeks (June through August). This is a tremendous experience for qualified individuals to expand their botanical skills, apply ecological concepts and learn soils, landforms, interpretations and mapping techniques.

The Plant Ecologist (Bio-Technician) will work with the Soil Scientist as a team to identify and describe plant communities, collect data and plant information, and assist in compilation of field data to describe ecological sites.  Federal pay grades will range from GS-5 to GS-7 and include a 25 percent cost-of-living adjustment.  Pay grade will be based on completed coursework and experience.

The position requires that students attain the level of college sophomore through graduate and have strong botanical and plant identification skills, coursework and/or vegetation sampling experience. Applicants should also have strong outdoor skills and positive attitudes.  Actual job duties and pay scales will be dependent on coursework and experience. 

For general information about the positions and how to apply, please contact NRCS Ecologist Michelle Schuman at (907) 761-7781 or via email at michelle.schuman@ak.usda.gov. Applications are due February 28.

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Planning for NRCS All-Employee Meeting Proceeds

NRCS will be holding an all-employee meeting February 6 and 7 at the Moose Lodge in Palmer.  Tentative agenda items include Maximizing your Benefits and Financial Planning, ITS Update, Plant Materials Center Update, and an Open Forum. The State Conservationist will give us his thoughts about where we excelled last year, where we could do better, and where we need to focus our future efforts. There will also be time throughout the agenda for employees to share information on projects they’re working on. 

Guidance on travel will be forthcoming from the State Office today; questions regarding travel should be directed to Dee Covalt at phillma.covalt@ak.usda.gov or at 761-7747. 

There is still time to express an opinion about agenda items to Cassandra.stalzer@ak.usda.gov or sign up to do a 15-minute employee presentation by contacting Karin.sonnen@ak.usda.gov.

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NRCS Conservation Photo Contest Deadline Friday

Those who have entered a winning photo in the Conservation Photo Contest report feeling the warm glow of achievement and the envious gazes from co-workers. Get the feeling yourself: the deadline for submitting entries for the 2007 Conservation Photo Contest is Friday, January 18.

New this year - all photographers whose photos place first in their categories will receive their photo professionally matted and framed as a prize.

Please submit single entries via email, if you are entering multiple photos please mail a disc.  Entries should be directed to Public Affairs Specialist Cassandra Stalzer or emailed to Cassandra.stalzer@ak.usda.gov.

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Personnel Actions

Openings

• Plant Ecologist Bio-Technicians (seasonal), GS 5/7, Fairbanks/Homer

Position Vacancy Projections

• Hydrologist (Temporary) GS5/7, Anchorage, projected March 15, 2008
• Soil Scientist, GS 7/9, Fairbanks, projected September 1, 2008
• Biological Technician Soil Conservationist, GS2/3/4, Delta Junction/Fairbanks/Kenai/Mat-Su, projected January 21, 2008

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