Transportation in the Region
  Unlike most areas in America, a road system does not exist throughout the Bering Strait Region. As a result, most village residents do not own automobiles, nor do they possess operating licenses. Primary modes of land transportation include snowmobiles and All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's). Both summer and winter vehicles are relied upon for subsistence activities such as hunting, trapping, and fishing, and for visiting & bartering with other communities.    

 
Photo Courtesy of Bering Air 		  Air transportation is the most common and reliable mode of transportation in the Bering Strait Region. The aviation system is the only dependable mode to all communities throughout the year. The primary source of air transportation throughout the Bering Strait villages is small single or twin engine commuter airplanes. While Alaska's population only accounts for 2% of the US population, Alaskans use 13% of all commuter airlines and air taxi trips in the US, and transport most commercial goods via airfreight. As a result, Alaskans use commuter airlines 65 times more often than the average US citizen. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 1997).
A majority of the communities are located on or near the coast, and community residents utilize the rivers and coastline as vital routes for transportation during the summer months. In late May to early October, boats with outboard motors are used to travel to fish camps, whaling camps, and for hunting. Although marine freight to the Bering Straight Region is seasonal, it offers a good way to haul bulk goods and materials, and serves as an economical alternative to airfreight. After the ice breaks up in late May, marine freight services (mostly barges) visit coastal villages bringing important shipments of cargo such as gasoline & heating oil, canned & dry goods; and other basic supplies & staples. Construction materials and equipment; automobiles, boats, and snowmobiles; and fully assembled houses are also shipped on a seasonal basis.


Housing Costs in the Region


The cost of housing in Alaska positively correlates to transportation costs. In January 2001, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation & the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development conducted an annual survey that tracks a basket of items representing approximately 30% of the total cost of materials needed to build a single home. A consistent finding from this and previous surveys was that building materials cost more in rural than in urban areas, and more in northern Alaska than in the Southeast. The main reason for higher costs in rural areas is the added cost of transportation; the further a community is from Seattle, the more expensive the price of building materials. (Data Source: AHFC & AKDOL). Other factors to higher costs include smaller markets found in rural areas, the presence of permafrost, and colder climates.


Source: AHFC & AKDOL


Of the total 2,371 occupied housing units in Bering Straits Region in 1990, almost 57% of these homes were owner-occupied, a percentage nearly equal to the state average (56%), but 7% less than the national average of 64% (NCES & MESA 1990). In 1990, home ownership rates for the state of Alaska ranked 46th in the nation (1st being the highest) (US Bureau of the Census 1990).

Water & Sewer


Alaska's rural communities often lack the most basic forms of public infrastructure, including piped water and indoor plumbing. (AHFC 1995, Pg. 4) Many of the homes in Nome's surrounding villages do not have running water or plumbing. Of the 2,371 occupied housing units in the Norton Sound region in 1990, 86% (2,039) lacked complete plumbing facilities (US Census Bureau 1990). Many people in the Bering Strait Region rely on public washeterias as the main source for washing and drinking water, and use honeybuckets to dispose of human waste. Some washeterias are located in small, dilapidated buildings, and have inefficient or damaged equipment. Because funding and technical expertise are often unavailable for regular maintenance and repairs on existing equipment, some communities resort to purchasing used washers and dryers to replace damaged ones. Often times, however, broken or inoperable equipment is never replaced or fixed. Although hauling water is second nature to many rural residents, it is an inconvenient and cumbersome process, increases the risk of water contamination, and contributes to unhealthy living conditions. Although Alaska Governor Tony Knowles declared an initiative to "put the honey bucket in the museum," (Ulmer1995) the installation of sewer and water has been slow throughout rural Alaska.

Energy


In 1990, Alaska ranked number 1 in the nation for energy consumption per capita with 1,058 million BTU's compared to the national average of 326 million BTU's. (US Census Bureau 1990) Primary heating sources were fuel oil and kerosene for 2,054 homes, wood for 255 homes, and electricity for 30 housing units. Other sources include bottled, tank, or LP gas; and coal or coke. Such a high consumption level is attributed to the state's relatively dark and cold winter seasons. Fuel is usually barged into most villages and stored in large tanks. Because fuel capacity is a factor, a high quality of construction is needed to ensure the safety and longevity of the storage units. Constructing and maintaining large and safe bulk fuel tanks is very expensive, and many of tanks are in need of repair or replacement to due age, weathering, or damaged parts.

Alaska's 1990 Energy Consumption Per Person (in million BTU's)
was More Than 3 Times Greater than the National Average


Telecommunications


The installation of telecommunication infrastructure in the Bering Strait Region has historically lagged behind the rest of the United States. It wasn't until the early '70's when local telephone services appeared in the Region's villages. Satellite earth stations were introduced to the Region in 1976, and by 1989, digital services via satellite made their public debut at Nome's Northwest College Campus. Initial connections at the Northwest Campus operated at 9600 baud rates, speeds well below Lower 48 standards. For the Bering Strait Region, this meant an ongoing technological lapse from the rapidly developing information systems, data transfer and communication technologies elsewhere in America. By 1995, however, increased rural competition led to the installation of earth stations throughout the Region and a T-1 frame relay circuit in Nome.

Since 1995, there have been numerous improvements to the telecommunication services offered in the region. Internet Services in Nome, and wireless connections in the region's villages are offered by GCI. In 2006 Cellular Telephone through Dobson Communication (later AT&T) came to Nome and in 2007 was joined by ACS Cellular. For the future, a fiber connection to Anchorage and DSL connection to the villages are planned.

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