State approves barge landing at Nightmute Airport

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has approved an amendment to allow construction of a barge landing at Nightmute Airport on the Bering Sea coast.

The decision modifies an existing land assignment between state agencies that previously prohibited development at the site. The barge landing will support airport operations in Nightmute, a Yup'ik community of about 280 people located 164 miles west of Bethel.

The public comment period for this project has closed. The state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities requested the change to its Interagency Land Management Assignment, which governs how state land at the airport can be used.

The approved amendment removes language that blocked construction within the assignment area. The modified agreement has no expiration date.

The affected land is in Section 34, Township 5 North, Range 88 West, Seward Meridian. Nightmute is accessible only by air or water, making the barge landing critical for delivering fuel, construction materials, and other supplies that cannot arrive by plane.

Questions about the decision can be directed to Annalee Sims at the Department of Natural Resources Southcentral Regional Land Office at 907-269-5035 or [email protected]. The full decision document is available through the state's online public notice system.