Newtok Planning Group Innovative Readiness Training Program (IRT) VIP Site Visit, July 18, 2013 Each year, over the course of the five-year commitment the military IRT has made to the Newtok relocation effort, a VIP reception and site vist to Mertarvik has taken place. The purpose of these events is to showcase the progress of the work the IRT has done in collaboration with participants of the Newtok Planning Group, including the village of Newtok, and state and federal agencies. The leadership of Newtok and the military, state and federal agencies are invoted to participate. The VIP reception and site visit on July 17-18, 2013 marked the completion of the IRT's commitment to Newtok. Below are sdome photos taken during the site viti to Mertarvik of some of the most recent accomplishments at Mertarvik. Photo below: Mertarvik from across the Ninglick River aboard a Black Hawk helicopter. The foundation for the Mertarvik Evacuation Center is to the left, near the three homes built by community members. The access road from the MEC and homes leads to the Mertarvik Barge Facility. The access road to the quarry leads off to the right of the photo. The IRT base camp is on the right of the photo. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Another view of Mertarvik from across the Ninglick River. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Mertarvik from across the Ninglick River. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Fly-over of the current village of Newtok, showing the Newtok River to the left and center, and the Ninglick River in the background. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Fly-over of the current village of Newtok, showing the Newtok River to the left and center, and the Ninglick River in the background. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: This photo shows how close the eroding bank of the Ninglick River is to homes and the Newtok School. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Homes and the Newtok School closest to the bank of the Ninglick River. The eroding bank is obscurred by part of the helicopter. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Left to right: the foundation for the Mertarvik Evacuation Center (MEC), two small South West Asia (SWA) huts for storage, the new 16-foot by 32-foot SWA hut and 32-foot by 64-foot Davis hut, the three homes built by the community, and the access road leading to the barge landing facility. Across from the homes are wooden crates in which the SIP panels for the MEC are being stored. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Another view of the MEC foundation, SWA huts and Davis hut, homes, access road, and SIP panels in strorage. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Another view of the MEC foundation, SWA huts and Davis hut, homes, access road, and SIP panels in strorage. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Another view of the MEC foundation, SWA huts and Davis hut, homes, access road, and SIP panels in strorage. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Medical/dental care tent at IRT base camp. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Davis hut and SWA hut completed at Mertarvik Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: SWA Hut and Davis Hut built by IRT in the summer of 2013. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Inside the Davis Hut. Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: IRT Support Project Sign Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Brigadier General Roger Machut presents Mertarvik IRT plaque to Newtok village council members Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Brigadier General Roger Machut presents Mertarvik IRT plaque to Newtok village council members Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below:Foundation of the future Mertarvik Evacution Center Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Foundation of the future Mertarvik Evacution Center Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Storage crates containing structurally insulated panels (SIPs) Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Road leading to Hill 460 quarry site Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: View of the quarry road (left), base camp (right foreground), and the first three homes built at Mertarvik in 2006 (right background). Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Photo below: Base camp for the troops working at Mertarvik Photo: Sally Russell Cox, DCCED/DCRA Contact for More Information Sally Russell Cox Division of Community and Regional Affairs Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1650 Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: (907) 269-4588 FAX: (907) 269-4563 Email:sally.cox@alaska.gov