Courtesy of Suzi Golodoff

A new bridge that's about to be installed at Summer Bay was designed with wildlife in mind. But as salmon migration draws closer, residents and regulators are scrutinizing the project to make sure it doesn't cause more harm than good.

After 33 years, the wooden bridge that crosses Summer Bay Creek has seen better days. But it's always contained materials that were potentially harmful to fish. 

"There’s 20 creosote timbers that will be removed," says public works director Tom Cohenour. "The new bridge will have three pilings on each side that will be out of the water."

Northern Alaska Contractors was hired to do that work. They started setting up at Summer Bay last month -- moving machinery and rock near the creek.

But long-time resident Suzi Golodoff says something didn't look right to her.

"I just really cherish our habitat -- our salmon streams," Golodoff says. "And I get a little alarmed when I see heavy equipment mucking around in there."

Northern Alaska declined to comment for this story. But a photograph that Golodoff provided to KUCB shows an excavator pushing sand into the salmon stream.

Cloudy water can make it difficult for fish to migrate, according to Jeanette Alas. She's a habitat biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 

Alas says she received a number of complaints -- and photos -- from Unalaskans regarding the work at Summer Bay Creek.

"They had kind of excavated the stream banks and put up some sand fill for them to put in a temporary bridge," Alas says. "And that was not part of the original permit."

ADF&G approved a two-month window for working in the salmon habitat around the bridge based on preliminary construction plans. Northern Alaska hadn't even been hired yet when the permit was issued -- back in January.

Alas says it's not uncommon for things to happen in that order. If the contractor wants to make a significant change to the project compared to what's in the permit, though, they're supposed to notify ADF&G first.

That didn't happen in this case. Alas had to ask Northern Alaska for their updated work plans. She says Northern Alaska now has a revised permit, which allows the company to build a temporary footbridge. It also has some new requirements.

"I’m working with the contractor to put in some sediment control measures in the creek, so that we can isolate the work area," Alas says. "So there will still be a channel in the middle of the stream for fish passage."

Alas will have the local ADF&G office oversee some of that work in Unalaska. There won't be any penalties.

"When there’s a violation of one our permits, it’s not a bailable offense," Alas says. "It’s better for us to work with the applicants and their contractor to do what’s best for habitat protection."

Cohenour, the public works director, says the city is concerned about habitat, too. He says that's why the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is involved in the project. Cohenour says the DEC approved a stormwater and erosion plan that "was not technically required." 

"But the city opted to include it just as an above and beyond measure, to make sure there's less impact to the water and to the fish," Cohenour says.

According to their permits, Northern Alaska must finish working in the salmon stream by July 15. The company has until early October to complete the entire project.