SC Alaska News

Officials from the Army Corps of Engineers provided an update to U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) on ongoing efforts to address glacial lake outburst flooding in Juneau, Alaska. The briefing took place during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, where Lt. Gen. William Graham Jr., chief of engineers and commanding general of the Corps, testified that a technical report expected by next spring will outline options for a long-term solution.

This year, the Corps deployed Hesco barriers along the Mendenhall River as a short-term measure to prevent property and infrastructure damage similar to what occurred during severe flooding in 2024. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle also addressed the committee, discussing both immediate actions and future plans.

Senator Sullivan has worked with community members and state officials to secure solutions for Juneau’s seasonal flooding and has sought federal disaster relief following last year’s floods.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but can I get your commitment and, general, your commitment, that we're not just going to study this. The people of Juneau are having flooding every summer,” said Sen. Sullivan. “We need to get on this soon. Can I get your commitment and any other updates you want to give me on that? I appreciate you surging a high-level team for a week in Alaska to be in Juneau when this happened again. We need a Corps of Engineers solution to this.”

“I've committed to you and General Graham has committed to me that we are going to be focused on a long-, medium- and short-term solution to address this challenge,” said Mr. Telle. “The short-term solution is what you saw in August, and you're going to see it again as long as we need it while we're developing the medium- and long-term solutions.”

Juneau has faced recurring glacial flooding over several years, with August seeing record-breaking events. In May, Assistant Secretary Telle agreed to expedite solutions using President Trump’s Day One executive order aimed at removing delays from critical projects in Alaska.

“Senator Sullivan, this is what we're built for—being able to take a complex situation and work with our state and local partners to put a project in place rapidly,” said Gen. Graham. “As you saw with General Goetz up there, that's what we're committed to. I know there's a smaller outburst happening as we speak there. We're working again with the city on—I think they held off on repairing some of the existing Hesco barriers until this finishes. The technical report that we'll look at lays the foundation for a long-term fix. We expect that next spring and we will watch that closely as that work unfolds. That work that we're doing is going to be with all the partners who, across the government at all levels, have the ability to add to this solution. That's our commitment to you.”

On August 16, Senator Sullivan visited Mendenhall Glacier by helicopter for an overview of flood impacts and met with various agencies including local government representatives, tribal leaders from Central Council of the Tlingit-Haida, USACE officials such as Brigadier General Joseph "Clete" Goetz (who was sent at Sullivan’s request), Coast Guard personnel, Forest Service staff, National Weather Service representatives, and State of Alaska officials.

During his remarks at the hearing, Senator Sullivan highlighted past executive orders affecting Alaska projects: “You've seen this chart before...the 70 executive orders that the Biden administration issued singularly...focused on Alaska...No state got sanctioned more by their own federal government than we did in Alaska by the Biden administration.” He contrasted these actions with President Trump’s order intended “to immediately review...any agency action that may...delay any critical project in Alaska.”

Assistant Secretary Telle responded: “Senator Sullivan, I indicated to you that I had tattooed that paragraph of that executive order on my heart.”

Sullivan commended recent rapid responses: “Let me compliment you on...the really important work...when we had another glacial lake outburst flood in Juneau...this was the worst but it wasn't as bad because...the Corps of Engineers had acted quickly...” He reiterated calls for continued attention: “We’ve got a lot of work…can I get your commitment…and any other updates…We need a Corps of Engineers solution…”

Telle replied: “Your leadership helped guide our decision making…I’m just so proud…for [their] work…to save lives and property…in mid-August…I’ve committed…and General Graham has committed…that we are going to be focused on a long-, medium- and short-term solution…”

General Graham added: “Senator Sullivan,…we’re built for—being able…to put a project in place rapidly.…That’s our commitment…”

Sullivan concluded by acknowledging support from officials involved: “Great,…I know the people of Juneau really appreciate that.…”