News Release Manager

  • Infrastructure law helps to dredge Petersburg Harbor for first time in 42 years

    Located in Southeast Alaska between Juneau and Ketchikan, the Petersburg Navigation Improvements project restored the Petersburg Borough’s South Harbor to original design depths ranging from minus 9 to 19 feet and improved general navigation features to allow for safe passage of vessels. The first ever dredging operation within the basin since it was built in 1982 removed about 57,000 cubic yards of material.
  • District welcomes new equal employment manager

    Lula Cole assumed duties as the equal employment opportunity manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District in December.
  • District awards contract for Kenai coastal erosion project

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District awarded a construction contract for the Kenai River Bluffs Erosion Project. Western Marine Construction of Seattle, Washington, will construct a protective rock berm approximately 5,000 feet in length along the north bank of the Kenai River. It will require the placement of about 42,400 cubic yards of armor rock; 33,200 cubic yards of crushed rock and 13,100 cubic yards of gravel base. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this construction contract award is valued at about $19.3 million.
  • USACE, City of Nome sign partnership agreement for port modification project

    Col. Jeff Palazzini, district commander, and John Handeland, mayor of Nome, conducted a signing ceremony for the project partnership agreement at the Port of Nome Modification Project on Jan. 25. This project will provide larger vessels with improved access to Nome’s existing harbor by enlarging the outer basin and creating a new deep-water basin at a depth of minus 40 feet. Dredging is required to deepen and maintain both basins and their associated navigation channels. Currently, ship transportation is limited by existing depths in the outer basin of 22 feet.
  • District welcomes new small business professional

    Ryan Zachry assumed duties as the small business professional for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District in November 2023.
  • District welcomes new tribal liaison

    Sean O’Donnell assumed duties as the tribal liaison for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District in October. In his new position, O’Donnell informs and advises the district leadership on Alaska Native tribal government topics pertaining to consultation, policy and federal trust responsibilities. As the liaison, he will conduct and facilitate meetings with tribal leadership and staff to discuss concerns, programs and potential partnership opportunities across the district’s missions and projects.
  • Innovation leads to productive season for safety upgrade at Moose Creek Dam

    With the onset of winter, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District capped off a successful summer by doubling its progress from last year to build a cement barrier wall in the center of the dam. The safety improvement project is now about halfway complete as the team works to reinforce 4.7 miles of the 8-mile-long earthen structure.
  • Partnership agreement launches erosion protection project along Kenai River

    Witnessed by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Michael Connor, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District endorsed an agreement that advances construction of the Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization Project during a ceremony on Sept. 25 in the community.
  • Utqiagvik coastal erosion project achieves major federal milestone

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District conducted a ceremonial signing event Aug. 29 recognizing the official agreement between stakeholders for the planned construction of the Barrow Coastal Erosion Project near Utqiagvik. Sen. Dan Sullivan and North Slope Borough representatives attended the event and provided remarks at the district headquarters building located on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
  • District welcomes new chief of Engineering Division

    James Sauceda assumed duties as the chief of the Engineering, Construction and Operations Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District in June.