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Lena Point Research Facility Project The Lena Point Research Facility Project will serve as a critical addition to National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service  (NMFS) facilities in Alaska. This new facility will allow NMFS to increase its capability to conduct critical and scientific research programs in Alaska.
Alaska provides about one-half of the value and tonnage of groundfish landed in the Federal EEZ each year. The continental shelf off Alaska constitutes 70 percent of the United States' continental shelf and has consistently produced nearly 5 billion pounds of commercially harvested fish each year for the past 30 years. For NMFS to manage for the long-term health of commercial, recreational, subsistence, and environmental resources in the North Pacific, its scientists and managers must understand how these resources interact with each other and their environment over time. There is growing awareness of information deficiencies that dictate an increased emphasis on improved management through support for additional research in these areas in the near future. Currently, there are no NMFS facilities in Alaska with sufficient space, in sufficient quantity or of sufficient quality, to address the growing concern for the region's marine resources. The proposed facility will enable NMFS to bring together  elements of program direction, conduct advanced marine science including laboratory initiatives, and provide the capability of holding interactive management and science meetings. These activities are critical to the future health of Alaska's fishing industry.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (SFOS) operates a graduate program out of its Juneau Center, located primarily in the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Anderson Building, adjacent to Auke Bay Lab. UAF plans to construct a new SFOS building on the NOAA/NMFS site. This will free up the Anderson Building for use by UAS, and allow the UAF/SFOS faculty and students to continue the long and synergistic relationship that has existed between NMFS and UAF/SFOS. The Lena Point project will utilize what was a rock quarry operation. Twenty-five percent of the natural vegetation is all that remains on the rock quarry site, and most of that is concentrated on the perimeter of the property, and in a wetland area near Point Lena Loop Road (east side of the property). The wetland area will not be disturbed. The proposed project design recognizes the sites past use and makes use of natural rock and water elements. Over time, if left undisturbed, the site would be reclaimed by natural vegetation. The proposed site design theme recognizes that with its use of local species in landscaping and rock forms utilizing rock from the site. According the designer, the natural succession and ever-changing environment provides a great opportunity for the creation of a site theme, research and understanding within an ever-changing natural environment. Water elements may also be introduced on the site as they would remind users of the facility's mission and relationship with the ocean. Vistas from the site are spectacular with views over Favorite Channel to the west and mountain views in all directions. For more information, please contact: John Gorman, PH: (907) 586-7641. |
