Alyeska Pipeline to apply for permit to repair erosion in Wiseman area

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company is preparing to apply for permitting that would allow engineers to start work on repairing riverbank erosion occurring near an underground section of the pipe in the Wiseman area.

Alyeska engineers have been monitoring the underground pipe buried near milepost 228 just north of Coldfoot since 1997. There is concern the bank erosion occurring due to the almost seasonal flooding of the Koyukuk River could jeopardize the integrity of the pipeline.

Work to repair the riverbank was originally scheduled for the fall of 2001, but after careful monitoring, the operators of the pipeline believe it would be prudent to start work on the project by the beginning of May.

In order for Alyeska to start the work sooner than the June time frame, the company will apply for an emergency permit. Unlike the regular permitting procedure, which requires a six-month processing period, the emergency permit, once granted, will allow Alyeska to start the work immediately.

Alyeska engineers will secure the remaining portion of the bank against erosion by reinforcing it with a procedure commonly known as "rip-rap". This consists of lining that section of the riverbank with tons of large rock, inhibiting the erosive process and securing the integrity of the riverbank and the pipeline.

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