LETTER: Keep Juneau’s long-term flood solution moving forward

Published 5:30 am Saturday, August 8, 2026

I want to thank the City and Borough of Juneau for the additional efforts being made this year to support and prepare those of us living in the glacial outburst flood area. Because of the increased communication, planning, and resources, I feel better informed and more prepared for this year’s outburst. After what many of us have experienced, that has made a real difference.

With that said, we must continue keeping a long-term solution at the forefront. Temporary barriers and emergency preparations may help protect us in the short term, but families cannot continue living with this threat year after year. We must keep pushing until a permanent solution crosses the finish line.

Reaching that goal will require the city, the State of Alaska, the federal government, and our community working together. Our congressional delegation must continue advocating strongly on Juneau’s behalf. They need to emphasize that this is a life-and-safety priority, keep the necessary legislation moving through Congress, and fight for the federal funding required to design and build a permanent solution.

I appreciate the city’s work to help us prepare for this year. Now we must maintain that same urgency and commitment toward protecting Juneau for the future. We have made progress, but we cannot let up until a long-term solution is approved, funded, and completed.

Sandra Edwardson