| The relocation of a rural coastal village in Alaska is the first contemporary example of an entire settlement in the United States being moved due to slow-onset, climate-induced environmental changes, including flooding and erosion. Several prior studies examined governmental responses in settlement relocations due to rapid-onset events, but very little is known about those arising from slow-onset events. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate relocation as a governmental response to slow-onset environmental changes. The theoretical framework was comprised of Warner's displacement theory and Huntington, Goodstein, and Euskirchen's adaptation theory. The research questions focused on the lessons that could be learned about the Planning Group's (PG) involvement in the village's relocation. Purposeful sampling was used to identify participants; semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 participants from the Department of Defense (DOD), PG, and elected officials; and 9 official public and non-public published documents were reviewed. Data were coded, categorized for thematic analysis, and member-checked. Findings showed that community involvement and a national relocation framework are essential requirements for successful relocation of a village. Recommendations for future research include a phenomenological study of the experiences of village residents during their relocation, a follow-up case study on the relocation after its final phase, and the impact of this relocation on the DOD. The implications for social change include informing policy makers and village residents about relocation as a governmental response with the result that more villages could relocate, as needed. |
