Connecting Remote Alaska Communities

Some regions of rural Alaska continue to be so remote that the concept of delivering fiber-based internet to the residents of the communities in these areas have little expectation of commercial telecommunications operators bringing service without some form of subsidy. Even in cases where grants are provided, the solution, such as placement of fiber in flowing waters within arctic regions, is not yet proven or well understood. One such region lies along the banks of the Kuskokwim River in interior Alaska. This area of Alaska is particularly economically depressed, isolated and sparsely populated.

Project Overview

The Kuskokwim River fiber optic cable study endeavors to explore the feasibility and technical details associated with the deployment of a fiber optic cable in the flowing waters of the Kuskokwim River. The goal of the project is to provide engineers, telecommunications operators and ultimately end users interested in constructing and operating such a system with the information required to make judicious and well-informed decisions about cost, technical methods and operational considerations. To that end, in addition to the specific feasibility study of the Kuskokwim River, the project also provides more generic engineering guidance related to arctic river-installed fiber systems such as hydrological considerations, ice scouring mitigations, fish habitat impacts, environmental processes and installation method best practices.

This project spans the Bethel and Yukon-Koyukuk census areas and has the potential to change lives in communities of Aniak, Chuathbaluk and McGrath. Each of these communities lie on the banks of the Kuskokwim River. All three communities have a greater than 20% poverty index and are classified as “Exceptionally Rural” by the USDA.

Community

Community Status

Population

McGrath

Socially Vulnerable

301

Chuathbaluk

Socially Vulnerable, Distressed

104

Aniak

Socially Vulnerable

507

Communities lying on the Kuskokwim River between Aniak and McGrath, Alaska

Project Deliverables

The feasibility study comprises a number of technical deliverables relating to the engineering and construction of a fiber system, as well as the environmental, permitting, and administrative elements.

Engineering

System engineering

A high-level telecommunications system design including details such as the last mile distribution electronics technology (FTTH), fiber optic strand count, transmission electronics identification, facility power system and building considerations. High level system functional drawings, design descriptions and reliability analysis reports are produced as part of this phase.

Remote sensing and GIS

The remote sensing project deliverable consists of the development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) model of the system. This model includes layers representing the risk profile, telecommunication system components, facilities and other relevant data sources that make up the project. Outside of the project report, the GIS model is the other primary deliverable for the project.

Ice scouring, formation and damage considerations

The presence of ice on the Kuskokwim River represents the single most significant source of risk when determining whether the construction of a fiber along its path is feasible. The project will survey the available and emerging research and trends related to the ice in arctic flowing waters and make recommendations and judgements about best practices and engineering guidelines for telecommunications systems.

Fiber cable selection

The selection of the fiber optic cable itself is an important consideration when designing the fiber optic system. This selection includes specific elements such as whether or not armor should be used, and if so, in what segments armor might be placed. Additionally, it has been suggested that the use of polyethylene coatings my deter the formation of frazil ice in areas of the river prone to frazil ice formation. Finally, the physical construction of the fiber strands and their individual counts along with the number of buffer tubes is also suggested.

Route determination

The selection of the route path along the river is a fundamental and critical component of the feasibility analysis and the design itself. Determination of the route includes criteria such as whether to follow the river thalweg channel and where to exit the river and place handhole to route around areas of high risk. Current guidance suggests that the cable may self-bury in areas of silty or sandy bottoms.

Instrumentation and failure monitoring

Methods exist to determine both the presence of strain on fiber optic cables using both active and passive measurement techniques. Recommendations and suggested implementations are provided to optimize both reactive and proactive identification and mitigation of cable risk along the route path.

Community Outreach

Community outreach and stakeholder engagement in the planning, development, and execution of the projects in rural Alaska is paramount to project success. The goal is to ensure that the needs, concerns, and feedback of local stakeholders are considered, fostering a sense of ownership and support for the project. Effective community outreach ensures that stakeholders are informed, involved, and supportive of the project, leading to more successful and sustainable outcomes.

Stakeholder Identification and Analysis

The key project stakeholders will be determined, by reviewing local residents, businesses, community groups, government agencies, and other relevant parties. Once identified, the stakeholder interests, concerns, and potential impacts will be evaluated for each group to ensure each constituent part is represented and understood.

Communication
Planning

A communication plan will be created that outlines how, when, and through which channels communication will occur. Customized messageing for different stakeholder groups to ensure clarity and relevance.

Engagement Strategies

Public meetings and workshops will be organized to provide information, answer questions, and gather feedback. In addition to public meetings, surveys and questionnaires will be used to gather input from a broader audience. If further information is required, the team will conduct focus group sessions or form a community advisory committee with key stakeholders to discuss specific issues in depth. Stakeholders will be engaged to help them build their capacity to engage effectively in the process.

Information Dissemination

Findings, results, recommendations and project information will be disseminated to the public and stakeholders using a number of methods. The project will maintain a website with quarterly updates on the project’s progress, timelines, and key documents. In some cases, the team will use social media platforms, press releases, newsletters, and / or flyers to share updates and engage with the community. The project team will implement a number of mechanisms for stakeholders and the public to provide feedback. Comment periods will be used to provide opportunities for stakeholders to submit comments during key phases of the project. Feedback that is provided will be acknowledged and the team will respond to stakeholder feedback in a timely and transparent manner prepared to adjust project plans based on stakeholder input where feasible and appropriate. In cases where conflict arises, the team is committed to actively listening to and addressing stakeholder concerns and conflicts. If required, mediation or facilitation techniques will be used to resolve disputes and find common ground.

Monitoring and Reporting

The project team will monitor and document all outreach activities to ensure comprehensive stakeholder engagement. This monitoring activity will result in regular reporting on the progress of the project and how stakeholder input is being incorporated.

Fish (Salmon) Habitat Analysis

Subsistence fishing is a fundamental component of life in rural Alaska. Many communities have their placement along rivers within Alaska for exactly this reason. The impact of any technology infrastructure projects on in-river habitats demands essential fish habitat (EFH) consultation with NOAA Fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This consultation includes the consideration of potential project impacts on fish passage, spawning, and rearing for Pacific salmon. The State of Alaska Anadromous Fish Act and the Fishway Act require approval from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADFG) prior to alteration of the natural flow or bed of anadromous waterbodies, as well as approval for any project activities that could result in impacts to resident or anadromous fish passage. Importantly, the sustainability of fish and aquatic resources for rural communities must also be considered as part of any construction project.

Any future project resulting from this feasibility study would require National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) alternatives analysis as part of its permitting and administrative approval process. These important project deliverables provide details regarding analysis methods to determine fish and aquatic habitat impacts to inform future NEPA analysis. These deliverables will also inform the route selection, means and methods of deployment and other permitting and administrative approvals required to perform the project. The team will also collect feedback and comments from local community members regarding the project concept and its impact on their subsistence lifestyle.

Permitting and Administrative Review

Permitting for fiber optic systems installed in arctic flowing waters presents unique challenges due to the specific environmental conditions and regulatory requirements. This project will address the specific permitting requirements for the Kuskokwim River project and develop comprehensive guidelines to streamline the permitting process for similar future projects.

Identification of Relevant Permits

The guidelines will include a detailed list of federal, state, and local permits required for the installation of fiber optic cables in arctic river environments. The requirements for environmental impact assessments and approvals from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA Fisheries), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation will be identified as part of the project deliverables.

Environmental and Community Impact Assessments

The project team, as part of its work, will develop procedures for conducting thorough environmental impact assessments, focusing on potential effects on fish habitats, water quality, and local ecosystems. In collaboration with the community outreach team members, strategies for engaging with local communities to gather input and address concerns related to subsistence fishing and other cultural practices.

Mitigation Strategies

For project areas requiring mitigation strategies, recommendations for mitigating potential environmental impacts, including methods for minimizing disruption during installation and ensuring long-term sustainability of local habitats.

Application Processes

A step-by-step guide for preparing and submitting permit applications, including required documentation and timelines will be developed along with checklist-style guidelines to ensure all necessary information is included, reducing the risk of delays in the permitting process.

Compliance and Monitoring

Procedures for ongoing compliance monitoring to ensure adherence to permit conditions and environmental regulations will be developed and documented along with recommendations for post-installation monitoring to assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures and identify any emerging issues.