Copper River Basin LEPC

State of Alaska DMVA DHS&EM

Copper River Basin LEPC
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1. Geographic Location: The Copper River Valley boundaries follow the of the Copper River Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA) which is area 17 on Alaska REAA map. The northern boundary at McCallum Creek on the Richardson Hwy. The southern line is south of Stewart Creek approximately mile 43 on the Richardson Hwy. The eastern boundary is the Mat-Su Borough boundary line on the Glenn Highway at approximately mile 134. The eastern side is on the Tok highway cut off is around mile 72 near Mentasta Pass.

2. Size and Activity: The population of the Copper Valley is 3,086 as of the 2000 census. This area is 20,649 square miles and has the largest national park in the United States, Wrangell St. Elias, which has a glacier the size of Rhode Island, and 13.2 million sq. acres within it’s boundaries.

Activities include fishing in the summer with a growing tourism industry beginning to develop. One of the major employers is the State of Alaska. Agencies such as, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), and the School District. Federal agencies such as Bureau of Lan Management (BLM) and the National Park Service (NPS)are also the major players in the area. A small farming community in the Kenny Lake area also is part of Copper Valley.

3. Communities: All but one community out of the 22 are road accessible and that is Chisana. The communities include: Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Copperville, Gakona, Glennallen, Gulkana, Kenny Lake, McCarthy, Mendeltna, Mentasta Lake, Nelchina, Paxson, Silver Springs, Slana, Tazlina, Tolsona, and Willow Creek.

4. Hazard Analysis: Several communities near the Copper River or the Gakona Rivers are in a flood plain. Wild land fire is one of the real possible hazards due to the dry and dead scrub alders and willow brush in the valley. The beetle-killed spruce is another real threat. The Alyeska pipeline runs through area for approximately 176 miles and crosses 76 rivers and streams. Most of the rivers are salmon spawning streams. There is also a pump station in the area (PS12). Earthquakes are also a natural hazard threat.

In November 2002 a 7.9 earthquake changed the sub surface structure of the area and scientist believe that volcanic activity may now be a problem in the future. A volcanic eruption would cause melting glaciers to flood the valley in all flood plain areas.

Severe winter storms and temperatures have gone as low as –70 degrees for two weeks at a time. Avalanche danger has taken power lines down which causes the local utility to produce diesel generated power .

5. Staffing: The Copper River LEPC has contracted with the Copper Valley Economic Development Council to do office work, agendas, minutes, coordinate training exercise meetings, arrange meetings and work groups, and designed a web site for viewing work projects.

6. Status of Emergency Planning Process:

Emergency Operations Plan	Yes
Initial Hazard Analysis	Yes
Hazardous Materials Annex to EOP	Yes

7. Plan focus: All Hazards

8. LEPC Grant Awards: SFY 2008

Baseline Grant of	$5,000.00
Special Project Grant of	$0.00

10. Government/Industry Support or Matches: There is no formal government borough or city in this area. The LEPC receives no support from any local governmental entity.

Alaska State Emergency Response Commission
P.O. Box 5750, Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5750
Phone: (907)428-7000 Fax: (907)428-7009
dhs&em_emergency_mgmt@ak-prepared.com