Middleton Island

Middleton Island is located approximately 75 miles southwest of Cordova in the Gulf of Alaska. It was inhabited and used by the Chugach and Eyak peoples who referred to it as Ochtek. The Air Force constructed a Radar and Early Warning station there in 1955. The Middleton Island Air Force Station was decommissioned in 1963. The station impacted ANCSA lands, which is the majority of land on the island. Today, buildings, fuel pipelines, drum dumps, and machinery remain on the island. The island itself is considered an important habitat for migrating birds.

An environmental assessment done in 2009 revealed the presence of asbestos, diesel range contaminants, and lead. NVE is currently working on a mitigation plan for Middleton Island. It is anticipated that work at Middleton Island will continue through 2012.

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