EASTERN ALEUTIANS

While the State of Alaska mobilizes to break ground on a road passing through its smallest national wildlife refuge, various environmental groups are trying to halt construction.

Construction on a controversial stretch of road between two Eastern Aleutian towns could begin as soon as next month, according to the State of Alaska.

An international marine renewable energy company is looking to help False Pass bring tidal energy to its shores.

Nelson Lagoon is about to run out of water. The Alaska Native village of 40 people on the Alaska Peninsula expects its supply to run dry by March 20, after a January storm destroyed the underground pipeline connecting the community to its only water source.

A controversial stretch of road connecting two Eastern Aleutian communities is heading toward construction.The Alaska Department of Transportation has applied for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to build the road and is taking public comments on the proposed work until Jan. 12.

Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced a land exchange agreement Thursday with King Cove’s Native corporation, making way for the controversial construction of what many consider to be a lifesaving stretch of road.

The regional airline announced Tuesday they were suspending air service to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Cold Bay and Sand Point in the Aleutians, effective Aug. 16.

Unalaska could see winds of up to 100 miles per hour on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.The federal agency has issued a high wind warning for the Eastern Aleutians including Unalaska and Nikolski from 10 a.m to 9 p.m. Saturday with south to southwest winds of 50 to 70 mph. The strongest winds of around 90 mph are expected from noon to 4 p.m., with gusts up to 100 mph possible, as winds move through the mountains.

The telecommunications company said their crews were finishing construction in King Cove and Sand Point, the two largest communities in the Aleutians East Borough.

A volcanic eruption on Unimak Island has triggered an air quality advisory in Unalaska, the first time Unalaska has been affected by Mount Shishaldin’s summertime eruptions.