NAVFAC outlines proposed $12M Peleliu dock project

There will be an increase of about 25 U.S. military personnel during the repair and reconstruction of the Peleliu South Dock, Naval Facilities and Engineering Command planners reassured citizens of Peleliu during an Aug. 14 meeting held in Koror.

About 200 citizens attended the Environmental Impact Statement meetings held this past week for the $12 million project. The meeting in Koror was the second, with the first held in Peleliu on Aug. 12. NAVFAC officials reassured attendees that the current personnel in Peleliu, which include 70 U.S. Marines, will not double — as some had feared. There will be an addition of about 25 U.S. Naval Construction Battalion sailors, known as Seabees, who will work with Marines on the renovation project under the guidance of the 30th Naval Construction Regiment.

NAVFAC officials said they’re purposefully keeping numbers to a minimum so as not to take up all hotel rooms and rentals, which would disrupt the state’s tourism industry.
Military personnel have been making minor repairs on the more than 80-year-old dock for about a year. Seabees constructed the South Dock in 1945 following the U.S. Marine Corps landing on the island during World War II.

Residents’ questions and comments will become part of the environmental impact statement, according to NAVFAC officials. Local leadership, including Peleliu Gov. Emais Roberts; Charles I. Obichang, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industry; and Jennifer Anson, National Security Coordinator; joined Department of Defense officials who shared information on the proposed project scope, construction timeline, and environmental baseline survey results.

Officials hope to start the two-year project within the coming months.

Roberts said this is one of several projects that will help Peleliu grow. In 2024, the U.S. military completed the rehabilitation of the World War II air strip. Marines also worked on the local museum as well as the Bloody Nose Ridge Monument and access trail and both projects have helped to bring attention to, as well as promote tourism and encourage economic activity in the southern state. He expressed appreciation for the partnership with the U.S. and for the patience of the people of Peleliu as the work continues.

Obichang also noted the importance of the south dock project, saying it is important for Peleliu and its people. “Right now, there are limitations to the existing structure, which is failing,” he said. “The South Dock improvements are essential to loading and unloading heavy equipment and materials.”

Renderings of the planned South Dock improvements in Peleliu, Palau. Courtesy of Department of Defense

The proposed project will restore the channel width and depth to its original 1945 dimensions. It will improve the existing South Dock wharves and laydown areas. The project is intended to provide infrastructure capable of supporting larger watercraft, including local barges. This shared-use facility would be suitable for use in all tidal conditions, improving upon existing limitations during low tide.

NAVFAC planners and engineers explained the various phases of the proposal, which are planned to cause minimum impact to dock operations. Environmental and cultural resource surveys were completed by a Palau-based environmental company, which is also preparing the environmental impact statement in accordance with Republic of Palau environmental regulations. The field surveys included identification and cataloging of marine and terrestrial habitats, biodiversity, and cultural areas of significance.
The proposal includes:

Removing deteriorated and unusable World War II-era steel pier structures
Clearing vegetation and grading a beach area
Dredging to the original 12-foot depth below the low-tide line
Installing navigational aids to increase safety at the harbor entrance and channel
Stabilizing the shoreline
Constructing a quay wall wharf with a roll-on/roll-off boat ramp
Constructing a public boat ramp to support safe launch and recovery of small craft for residents

The approximate $12 million price tag includes planning, materials, and labor, which will be conducted by U.S. Marines and sailors.

One resident asked about waste management during construction. “I’m strongly urging that you guys utilize local contractors … for waste management,” the resident said. “Please put the accountability, especially for the footprint of this project, into local hands so we could personally make sure that this is finalized in a very sensible way.” Officials responded, saying they fully intend for the project to benefit the local economy during construction.

The improvements will also improve emergency access to Peleliu because the dock will be accessible even during low tide, Obichang said.

“Twenty-four-hour access is really important for businesspeople, fishermen, and all people in Peleliu. In an emergency, we won’t have to wait until high tide to bring big vessels in and out of the South Dock,” he said, adding the project also represents Palau’s participation in the security of the Indo-Pacific region. “This dock is jointly beneficial for both countries [the United States and Palau], but the benefits are more tilted for Palau and the people of Peleliu. We've been waiting for this improvement for a long time.”

The proposal is one of several U.S. Pacific Fleet-led infrastructure improvement projects in Palau that support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command posture initiatives to ensure operational readiness in the region. In the last few years, Marines have reconstructed the World War II airstrip to once again accommodate military aircraft. In June 2024 the first fixed-wing aircraft landed. That airstrip is also being used by civilian planes that bring people and cargo from the big island of Babeldaob.

Palau and the U.S. have a special relationship defined by the Compact of Free Association. Palauans approved the Compact in the 1980s. It grants the U.S. military access to the nation’s EEZ, and Palauan citizens can travel to the U.S. to visit, work, and get an education. Thousands of Palauans live in the U.S., many of whom are either serving or have served in the U.S. military.

Minimizing the impact on the environment and protecting areas of cultural significance during construction are important considerations for planners. Construction areas will be isolated using temporary erosion controls such as cofferdams, silt curtains, and floating barriers to contain turbidity. There will also be strict oversight during construction, including environmental monitors to ensure the mitigation measures remain effective. An area identified to contain historical artifacts will be avoided completely to preserve Palauan history for future generations.

“The Peleliu South Dock improvements will provide great benefit and safety to the local community,” John Burke, environmental planning lead for U.S. Pacific Fleet, said. “We look forward to sharing the new facilities with the people of Peleliu.” mbj