page_title: Newtok, Alaska
section_title: Relocation
hierarchical_section_title: Newtok, Alaska / Relocation
caption_attribution_description: English: The house pads are constructed through tundra to bedrock in order to provide a freeze-thaw stable platform. This will help build upon the progress already being made to assist the community in their village relocation efforts.
context_page_description: Newtok is a small village on the Ningliq River in the Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 354, up from 321 in 2000. Climate Change is forcing the primarily Yupik Alaska Native village to consider relocation.
context_section_description: Land has been acquired for a new townsite called Mertarvik on nearby Nelson Island about 9 miles (14 km) away, and $1 million in government funding has been obtained to build a dock for delivering building supplies.
  As of 2016, although the town's roughly 400 residents voted in 2003 to relocate to higher ground nine miles away, progress has been slow.
  On December 24, 2016, the village made a disaster declaration request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance due to "flooding, persistent erosion, and permafrost degradation starting in January 1, 2006 and continuing."  The request would "include relocation of the Yupik Tribe (population of ~350 people)." 
  During the summer of 2018, a 6,000 square-foot community center was built, as were 8 houses.  Plans for 2019 include interior work in the community center so it can be used as a school, a generator building, and 13 more houses.  Construction of roads, pipes, and a water treatment plant is planned.  The goal is to complete relocation by 2023.
caption: New homes being constructed as part of the Mertarvik village project.
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