HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2022-081 Requesting State Assist with Lowell Point Sponsored by: Bower
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2022-081
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, REQUESTING STATE OF ALASKA LEADERSHIP IN
RESPONSE TO THE DOCUMENTED CONCERNS REGARDING BEAR
MOUNTAIN AND PROBABLE FUTURE DEVASTATION TO THE CITY
OF SEWARD AND LOWELL POINT COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, the May 7, 2022, massive landslide on Lowell Point Road triggered studies
of Bear Mountain by the Alaska Department of Transportation, Central Region Materials
Geotechnical Engineer, Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Geological
and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS), and Elevate UAS, who provided lidar information; and
WHEREAS, DGGS examined all of the reports and provided a combined report with
recommendations concerning Bear Mountain and probable future devastation to the community;
and
WHEREAS, in the area between the 2022 landslide and the 2012 landslide is an
anomalous treeless area and a suspicious bench feature that suggests parts of the slope have moved
in the recent past (referred to as Feature of Concern A in the report); and
WHEREAS,the 2022 landslide will further destabilize the slope and there is a heightened
level of concern for additional failure, this area should be instrumented as soon as possible and
remain closely monitored; and
WHEREAS,the report identified an area that appears to be a massive slope failure almost
two miles across at the slope base and extending 1500 feet or more up the mountainside, with a
prominent southern head scarp that extends upslope at an unknown distance(referred to as Feature
of Concern B in the report); and
WHEREAS, the report explains there is a prominent scarp or crack along the upper right
(north)margin of the area of massive slope failure at an elevation of approximately 1500 feet; and
WHEREAS, a faint linear trace (minor drainage) extends down and to the right,
connecting with a more fully developed stream drainage gully that intersects Lowell Point Road
just south the 2012 landslide; and
WHEREAS, the suspected crack, if verified and determined to be deep-seated, poses a
significant potential threat to people, infrastructure, and boat traffic in Resurrection Bay; and
WHEREAS,of major concern to the City is that a huge rock mass plunging into the fjord
from an elevation of 1500 would generate a local tsunami that could prove devasting; and
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2022-081
WHEREAS, it is imperative the area be further investigated with ground-based studies,
instrumented as soon as possible, and closely monitored for potential movement; and
WHEREAS, a slope-parallel feature believed to be a discontinuity may be a bedrock
feature related to underlying rock structure or stratigraphy and further investigation is needed to
conclusively determine its origin and potential for slope failure distance (referred to as Feature of
Concern C in the report); and
WHEREAS,what is known about this feature is that it is approximately the same elevation
as the head scarps of the 2012 and 2022 landslides and warrants closer inspection; and
WHEREAS, because of its location upslope of developed areas, a focused ground-based
assessment to determine if there is a hazard is needed; and
WHEREAS, a downslope of the youngest (lowest) moraine indicate areas where
unconsolidated sediments have mobilized into small landslides of various ages and traveled to the
base of the mountain through incised channels, with considerable material perched on the slope
(referred to as Feature of Concern D in the report); and
WHEREAS, at this time there are no prominent cracks or scarps along this moraine but it
is at the same elevation and in line with the 2012 and 2022 head scarps, and likely shares many of
the same bedrock and slope characteristics; and
WHEREAS, further examination is needed of this area as well; and
WHEREAS,the entire report is of concern to Seward and due to the severity of the report,
it is imperative immediate action be taken to further study the entire length of Lowell Point Road
and the impacts of Bear Mountain on the road; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward does not have the capacity to conduct the study and the
finances to mitigate the threats.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City of Seward requests the State of Alaska's immediate assistance to begin
mitigation efforts to protect the City of Seward and Lowell Point community.
Section 2. The City Manager is authorized to sign documents related to the request and
any funding opportunities. All encumbrances of funds will be brought before the City Council for
approval.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
LRESOLUTION 2022-081
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this the
27th day of June 2022.
T IT F EWAR -AL KA
sty Terry May
AYES: DeMoss, Wells, McClure, Casagranda, Calhoon, Osenga, Terry
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
renda J. Ballo , MMC
City Clerk
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City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: June 27, 2022
To: City Council
From: Janette Bower, City Manager
Agenda Item: Resolution 2022-081: Requesting State of Alaska Leadership in Response
to the Documented Concerns Regarding Bear Mountain and Probable
Future Devastation to the City of Seward and Lowell Point Community
Background and justification:
The May 7, 2022, massive landslide on Lowell Point Road triggered studies of Bear Mountain by the
Alaska Department of Transportation, Central Region Materials Geotechnical Engineer, Alaska
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS),
and Elevate UAS, who provided lidar information.
DGGS examined all of the reports and provided a combined report with recommendations
concerning Bear Mountain and probable future devastation to the Lowell Point and Seward
communities. The report identifies four areas of failure with the possibility of creating a devastating
local tsunami.
It is imperative that Bear Mountain be further investigated with ground-based studies, instrumented
as soon as possible, and closely monitored for potential movement, as soon as possible.
Knowing the magnitude of the report and the City's lack of capacity to conduct the required studies
and the finances to mitigate the threats; a meeting was held with the involved State of Alaska
departments. The departments agreed that the matter must be elevated to the State of Alaska.
On June 16, 2022, the State Emergency Operations Center contacted the City Manager about the
need to begin the State process and the immediate submission of a 213 Resource Request (RR). The
213 RR was submitted, along with information about the upcoming city council resolution.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Plan: 1.3.4.4 Public Safety, 3.8 Natural Hazards-Promote Community Safety
Strategic Plan:
Other:
Certification of Funds
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ 0
This legislation (✓):
Creates revenue in the amount of: $
Creates expenditure in amount of: $
Creates a savings in the amount of: $
x Has no fiscal impact
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Funds are (✓):
Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
x Not applicable
Unassigned Fund Balance and Available Unrestricted Cash Balance Information
Fund (✓):
General SMIC Electric Wastewater
Boat Harbor Parking Water Healthcare
Motor Pool Other
Unassigned Fund Balance*: $ *unaudited numbers
Available Unrestricted Cash Balance*: $
Finance Signature:
Attorney Review✓ Administration Recommendation
RYes x Adopt Resolution
Not applicable Other:
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