OPPTS Tribal News Spring 2008

United States Environmental Protection Agency OPPTS Tribal News Spring 2008

Volume II

Exposing its Ancient Ice

In This Issue

1 Article 1

Environmental voicesvoices Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances and Tribal Environmental News Exchange www.epa.gov/opptintr/tribal Table of Contents

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS Toby Anungazuk, Jr. Table of Contents Roger Burnside Pete Christich News & Events...... 3 Patricia Cochran Environmental Concerns & Issues...... 7 La’ona Dewilde Climate Change...... 11 Rhea DoBosh Brian H. Hirsch Wildlife & Endangered Species...... 15 Secody Hubbard Coal Mining & Industry...... 19 Janice King Jensen Oil Exploration & Industry...... 27 Janice Johnson Steve Johnson Solid Waste & Open Dumps...... 30 Mary Lauterbach Toxic Contaminants...... 37 A. J. Matthews Programs & Initiatives...... 43 Hailey McKenzie Howard Norman Success Stories...... 46 Doug O’Harra Alaska Faces Spruce Bark Beetle Infestation...... 54 Evon Peter Kid's Page...... 56 Joe Sarcone Bill Stokes Elders...... 58 Colleen E. Swan Jennifer Sweigart D. Warden Lynn Zender Chris Zimmer

2 OPPTS Tribal News requests interesting, relevant stories about pesticide and pollution prevention programs and projects in Indian country from our readers. If you want to share your experience with our readers, please write or Spruce Tree Beetle send an email message to Mary Lauterbach, EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue (MC7408M), Washington, DC 20460, lauter- [email protected].

The Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances is pleased to include the comments and opinions of contributors. Byline articles and interviews represent the opinions and views of contributors and not necessarily those of the U.S. Environmental To be placed on our mailing list, write to: Protection Agency. All web sites and URL's were true and current at the time of publication. OPPTS Tribal News, U.S. EPA, OPPT OPPTS Tribal News is a publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is intended for noncommercial, scientific, and educational purposes. As a federal governmen- 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue (MC7408M), Washington, DC tal agency, neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, its programs, nor the produc- 20460, or send an e-mail to [email protected]. ers of this publication can endorse any products or services. Also note, unless otherwise stated, the EPA does not represent that featured science articles have been scientifically peer-reviewed. OPPTS Tribal News can be viewed on the Internet at This publication may contain materials that may be subject to U.S. and foreign copyright laws. www.epa.gov/opptintr/tribal For an explanation of page number icon, please see page 54. Photograph of polar bears on cover courtesy of Scott Schliebe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Digital Library System. Mary Lauterbach, OPPTS Editor Danielle Glitz, Assistant Editor OPPTS Tribal News, Volume 5, Number 2 Shanita Brackett, Writer EPA 745-N-00-001 Hailey McKenzie, Intern ISSN: 1555-3175 (on line) 1555-3183 (in print) Michelle Humphrey, Photographer Brian Adams, Graphic Design News & Events Transition to Sustainable Energy Sources Adapted from “Traditional Wisdom and the Dilemma of Fossil Fuels in Alaska,” Evon Peter, Chairman, Native Movement

Byline articles and interviews or two. This is a very serious issue Strategy for represent the opinions and views of for communities around the world. the Transition to contributors and are not necessar- We must discuss the impacts of Sustainability ily those of the U.S. Environmental this reality as well as the possible We have to transition to a Protection Agency. solutions within each of our sustainable way of life once again. communities. We have many opportunities to use Elders have said that there will The burning of fossil fuels is tools that will make life much easier come a time when we will have also linked to global warming, than the lives our ancestors had. It to live from the land once again. which is beginning to have a major is a transition into a healthy and Although most of our peoples have impact on our way of life as well. sustainable way of life for us and never been fully separated from There is melting of sea ice, drying for many future generations. It is life on the land, we have become of the tundra that leads to out-of- our responsibility to our children, comfortable with some western control wildfires, land erosion, and grandchildren, and to their grand- ways that are not sustainable for the possible extinction of some animal children to make the transition in future generations. The environ- species. We cannot ignore the our lifetime. ment that we live in, the waters we climatic impacts of fossil fuel use. The transition to a healthy and drink, the air we breathe, and the sustainable way of life will most animals that give themselves to us, Things to Consider likely take a number of years. Each are either being depleted and/or Our elders teach us that we need community has a unique situa- 3 contaminated. The time has come to think of the future generations tion and therefore a unique set of for us to heal ourselves and in that and that we need to respect our challenges they will need to address. process begin to apply the tradi- relationships with the land, animals, There is no one solution for all tional wisdom of our peoples to the and spirits. A part of our spirituality communities, but there are some challenges we face. is how we maintain our relation- initial steps and actions that are We have time to make wise ships, not only with one another, universally applicable: decisions for future generations and but also with all of creation, all our ◗◗ Conserve energy and minimize ourselves that will ease the suffer- relations. There is wisdom in this the use of fossil fuels. One ing our people encounter. We must approach to life. approach might be to run prepare for a time of transition or We depend on water, air, food, diesel generators for a minimal risk facing a crisis situation later. and shelter for our survival. So number of hours each day, One of the more pressing issues it makes sense that we should maybe between 3-12 hours is the use of fuels in Alaska (gas, consider those things being avail- a day when it is most useful, propane, diesel, coal, etc.). able for future generations a neces- such as during business hours. The way of life most of us have sity in the decisions we make today. We should also only use snow- become comfortable with in the last Unfortunately, availability is not machines, four wheelers, and 50 or so years is based on the use of the only issue. We also need to boats when necessary. This will fossil fuels. We rely on gas, diesel, consider accessibility and contami- significantly reduce the amount or coal for our snow-machines, nation. In parts of the continental of money villages have to four wheelers, cars, boats, planes, United States, pollution has resulted raise for fuel expenses. electric generators, home heating, in water sources being unsuitable refrigerators, water pumping, and for human consumption. In other shipping of supplies. The reality we areas, people are advised to restrict face is that fossil fuels are a limited their fish consumption due to resource that will be running contamination levels. out at the current rates of global consumption within a generation News & Events

◗◗ Invest in renewable energy tion. Also, depending on the The purpose of this piece is to sources such as solar, wind, environment and what types of encourage deeper dialogue about and mini-hydro. While renew- foods people desire, it might be the realities we face in Alaska and able energy sources will not desirable to farm the land. around the world. It is a time sensi- be able to power villages with tive manner. ◗◗ Use available resources to 24-hour electricity, they can Our elders teach us that we support the transition to provide energy during times need to think of the future genera- health and sustainability. We of sun, wind, and/or flowing tions and that we need to respect have resources available to us currents. Perhaps funding saved our relationships with the land and from the federal government, in fossil fuel conservation efforts animals. We should listen. We need native corporations, founda- could be used to invest in to actively transition into a healthy tions, and individual donors renewable energy infrastructure. and sustainable lifestyle or be forced that can be used for this transi- into it later under much more diffi- ◗ ◗ Re-learn traditional ways tion. For example, rather than cult circumstances. of life and new sustainable pay out individual dividends practices. It would be wise to from the corporations we could re-learn traditional ways for choose (vote) to invest in renew- hunting, water harvesting, food able energy sources for the storage, and shelter construc- villages.

4 News & Events Alaska Forum on the Environment 2006

The eighth annual Alaska tunity for state, local, federal, and gathering on federal Forum on the Environment (AFE) military, private, and Native leaders lands, biological studies, bioter- was held February 6-10, 2006 at and professionals to come together rorism, cruise ship initiatives, the Egan Convention Center in and discuss the latest projects, effects of climate change, the Alaska Anchorage, Alaska. processes, and issues that affect the Native Claims Settlement Act, AFE is a statewide gathering of people of Alaska. military environmental restoration, environmental professionals from The AFE was originally called and tribal and federal government- government agencies, non-profit the Federal Facility Environmental to-government policies. and for-profit businesses, communi- Roundtable. It was an annual For more information on the ty leaders, Alaskan youth, conserva- conference focused on contami- event, please visit www.akforum. tionists, biologists and community nants, hazardous waste cleanup, com or contact AFE staff at elders. Each year, over 1,200 people hazardous materials manage- 888-301-0185 or info@akforum. attend AFE to learn more about ment, and pollution prevention at com. the environment and meet other federal facilities. It was expanded Alaskans that work in the environ- pursuant to an agreement, called mental field. the Statement of Cooperation, with The forum includes special environmental regulators, military keynote speakers and more focused, departments, and federal agencies. The following keynote speakers break-out sessions to discuss topics Since then, to operate and finance have participated in the Alaska of interest to AFE participants. AFE an event the size of the AFE, Forum on the Environment: offered over 80 breakout sessions Alaska Forum, Inc. was formed as 2008- 5 which were organized by subject a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) tracks including: climate change, organization to support the annual Jill Fredston, Author emergency response, environmen- event and its extended mission Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary, tal regulations, fish and wildlife to promote effective cooperation, DOI communication, and education in Sandra Cointreau, World Bank Alaska. 2007- AFE Mission Statement - The Planning Committee Clarence Alexander, Buffett Alaskans working together includes representatives from Award Winner to promote a clean, healthy the Environmental Protection Paul Rose, Explorer & BBC TV environment through commu- Agency, Alaska Department of Presenter nication and education. Environmental Conservation, U.S. N. Scott Momaday, Author, Army, U.S. Air Force, Federal Scholar, Poet Aviation Administration, U.S. 2006- populations, rural issues, energy, Navy, Mineral Management Wade Davis, National military issues, business issues, Service, Department of the Interior, Geographic pollution prevention, and contami- Alaska Native Science Commission, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Inuit nants. Conoco Phillips, Ecology & Circumpolar Conference The Forum also included Environment, Federal Emergency John Francis, Planetwalker presentations, panels, a session on Management Agency, Alaska Edwin Piñero, U.S. Federal environmental career opportunities, Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Executive organizational meetings, training and many others. classes, social events, vendor In the past five years, AFE displays/information booths, and a has offered technical sessions on “Talking Circle” with community environmental issues such as; leaders and tribal elders. alternative energy sources for rural The Forum provides an oppor- villages, subsistence hunting, fishing The inhabitant of the soul of the universe is never seen, its voice alone is heard. All we know is that it has a gentle voice, like a women, a voice so fine and gentle that even children cannot become afraid. And what it says is:..."Be not afraid of the universe" -Najgneq, Alaskan shaman

Source: Tommy Flamewalker Manasco Environmental Concerns & Issues My Earth Hailey McKenzie, Cherokee Nation (Deer Clan), Talequah, Oklahoma

Byline articles and interviews or drilling, it poses serious health the region for many miles represent the opinions and views of risks to the children, women, and before they settle. Instead of contributors and are not necessar- men making baskets. This is just preventing the release of the toxic ily those of the U.S. Environmental one example where health can be chemicals in the first place, compa- Protection Agency. seriously jeopardized as a result of nies often resort to settlements for environmental negligence. remediation. But no matter how Earth is the one place that we Environmental impacts due effective the clean-up, the dump all have in common. It is a home to mining and drilling are just as will always leave a dark mark on the shared by living and non-living significant. It is not exploitation of environment. things; it is a complex system made land alone, but the aftermath left Many of these projects are up of homogeneous and heteroge- behind. Many times companies promoted in the name of economic neous components that constantly are very effective at hiding their progress. It is said that they will interact with each other. As a caring environmental crimes until it’s benefit not only the companies citizen of this planet, I am fully too late. Drinking water becomes pursuing the drilling, but the aware of the many challenges that undrinkable, land becomes unable inhabitants of the land and country we and the future citizens must to support crop growth, and the as a whole. However, we know face to ensure the sustainability of air emissions spread throughout very well that the revenues are not our planet. One such issue that is always used in the best interests of of special importance to me is the citizens, especially in the states and mining and oil drilling near tribal countries where the ruling parties land. To me, this issue has at least might not be as concerned about 7 three equally important compo- the citizens and environment as nents of harm: the cultural threat, they are about the economy. One health concerns, and the environ- cannot deny the fact that economic mental impact. drives have a mighty force that Reservations and tribal lands even the most democratic systems are scarce in space and limited in cannot hold back. However, it is number. They are the few places not the political system alone that where native culture still thrives should be fighting the human and and hopes to stay alive. With the environmental injustices; it is the invasion of mining and drilling on duty of all citizens to stand up for this sacred land, many tribes are their interests. It is this concern for facing a cultural turmoil that leaves the environment and for the people them feeling stripped of their one that drives my desire to join the last place that they can call home. EPA, where I hope to become an Many native cultures still effective contributor to protecting practice traditional ways of living our home and all its inhabitants. where there is direct contact with the environment. One such trade that I have personal experience with is the practice of basket weaving. When weaving baskets, one must put the plant in the mouth to hold one end and then pull the bark down. If such plants come from land that is contaminated with pollutants, whether from mining Environmental Concerns & Issues International Cooperation, Challenges, and Goals Pete Christich and Rashida Shivers, EPA Office of International Affairs

Byline articles and interviews tant framework for Alaska’s inland watersheds, and climate change. represent the opinions and views of water ecosystems shared with The following three sections contributors and are not necessar- British Columbia and the Yukon highlight international issues, ily those of the U.S. Environmental Territory. Over many centuries, challenges, and goals affecting Protection Agency. indigenous people in this region Alaskan lands and waters. have lived in harmony with nature Alaska -British Columbia Alaska is a unique U.S. state. It by following life ways passed down Region: Since 1998, the United shares border regions with Canada through many generations, which States and Canada have engaged in and Russia, including shared has helped protect human health consultations about how to fulfill ecosystem regions with British and the diversity of wildlife and the 1909 Treaty for the Alsek, Columbia and the Yukon Territory, ecosystems. In Canada and the Stikhine, and Taku River water- and is part of ecosystems of the United States, indigenous people sheds. Since the mid-1990s, the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans. are also recognized as aboriginal two countries have consulted and Since 1909, the United States people. Their governments are coordinated on a Canadian-led and Canada have cooperated referred to as First Nations in multi-year review and assessment under the 1909 Boundary Waters Canada and as Tribes or Native of the proposed re-opening of the Treaty to prevent and control water Villages in the US. The exten- Tulsequah Chief mine and new pollution. Article IV of the 1909 sive United States-Canada border mine access road. Issues of concern Treaty states: “...It is further agreed includes a number of indigenous/ include ambient levels of certain that the waters herein defined aboriginal people’s governments or heavy metals in Taku River water, 8 as boundary waters and waters alliances, some of which span the as it flows from British Columbia flowing across the boundary shall US-Canada border. into Alaska, the Tulsequah Chief not be polluted on either side to In 1998, the Canadian and mine’s surface tailings impound- the injury of health or property on United States governments asked the ment proposed to be in a flood the other.” Under the 1909 Treaty, IJC to help explore and develop new plain, and the mine’s proposed the two countries are increasingly and improved watershed ecosystem access road, which could catalyze taking steps in shared watersheds to approaches along the entire US- additional development and cause ensure that water use, levels, flows, Canada border. The goals of this adverse environmental impacts. A and quality are addressed as part of long-term initiative include, for historical and cultural goal includes an integrated whole, and not on a example, improvement of consulta- ensuring protection of the Taku “piece meal” or conflicting basis. tion and partnering with Tribes/ River Tlingits’ traditional hunting In 1988, the US-Canada Native Village and First Nation and trading trail, which has existed International Joint Commission’s governments to help better fulfill over many centuries, and has end (IJC) Report on the US-Canada requirements of the 1909 Treaty. points on both sides of the Alaska Flathead River Basin reads “there The international region, -British Columbia border. As part of are far reaching implications of this which includes Alaska, is affected their joint review and assessment of Article IV principle as applied to by trends in the larger Northern the Tulsequah Chief mine project, an important migratory fishery that Hemisphere and worldwide trends. the two countries have stated that moves in both directions to spend Some of the issues of shared the 1909 Treaty, US-Canada Pacific part of its life cycle in each country. concern among the United States Salmon Treaty, and the UN Espoo In such cases, there is a mutual Government, Alaska Tribes, State of Convention, are important agree- obligation to protect that fishery by Alaska, Canada, and others include ments regarding Tulsequah Chief a range of management practices long-range transport of persistent mine project issues. in both countries which will ensure toxic air and water pollutants, Alaska -Yukon Region: The US/ that the provisions of the Treaty bio-accumulation of toxics in food Alaska border with Canada/Yukon will be jointly honoured.” chains, environment and develop- Territory includes shared rivers The 1909 Treaty is an impor- ment challenges within US-Canada and streams such as the Yukon- Environmental Concerns & Issues

Porcupine Rivers system, and International Association, Arctic includes Alaska, smaller bi-national waters, such as Athabaskan Council, Gwich’in has resulted in Old Crow and Firth Rivers, and Joe Council International, Inuit development and and Aspen Creeks. The 1909 Treaty Circumpolar Conference, Russian advancement of approach- is an important framework for these Association of Indigenous Peoples es and shared visions of the surface waters which flow across of the North (RAIPON), and the future that will help achieve the US-Canada border. Additional Saami Council. sustainable development. international frameworks, appli- Ensuring the protection of cable to migratory animal species people, wildlife, and ecosystems Information, Internet such as salmon and caribou, also in the international region, which Sites, References apply to transboundary watershed includes Alaska, requires a diverse ◗◗ US-Canada International Joint ecosystems. Some of these addition- array of international frameworks Commission: www.ijc.org al agreements include the Pacific and cooperation, both binational ◗◗ Persistent Organic Pollutants, Salmon Treaty and Porcupine and multinational. Since the 1990’s, A Global Issue, A Global Caribou Herd Conservation national governments, indigenous Response, EPA report, 2001, Agreement. people’s governments, and others available from EPA OIA. The Yukon River Inter -Tribal have steadily strengthened inter- ◗◗ EPA Tribal News, Fall 2003/ Watershed Council (YRITWC) was national cooperation to include Spring 2004 issue, pp. 30-32 launched at a summit in Galena, important goals of human health ◗◗ Yukon River Inter Tribal Alaska in 1997 when Tribes and and environmental protection in Watershed Council: www. Canadian First Nations came this important and unique region. yritwc.com together to form a coalition to The Yukon River Inter-Tribal ◗◗ Arctic Council: www.arctic- address common concerns along the Watershed Council demonstrates council.org Yukon River. Today, the signatories that no Tribe or First Nation is ◗◗ International Union for 9 of the YRITWC number 64 Tribes an “island.” The Arctic Council Conservation of Nature: and First Nations. This binational demonstrates that no country www.iucn.org initiative helps the two countries is an island. Issues such as the ◗◗ Pete Christich: 202.564.6404, fulfill the 1909 Treaty, and it also long range transport of persistent or [email protected] serves as a model for consideration toxic air pollutants and global for other international watersheds. climate change highlight that no Arctic Region: Cooperation international region is an island. among Arctic territorial nations International cooperation, which since the 1970s, including their long-term cooperation under the UN Convention on Long Range Case Study: Steller’s Sea Cow Transport of Air Pollution and of the Bering Sea international work of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment The Steller’s sea cow, a marine mammal Susanne Susanne Swibold Program (AMAP), led to the that in length averaged 20 - 25 feet lived alongside indigenous people in the US - creation of the Arctic Council Russia Bering Sea region for many genera- in 1996. The Arctic Council is a tions. The sea cow grazed on plants such regional model effort on sustain- as kelp. After the arrival of Europeans in able development. The Council the 1700s, in less than 30 years, these large, gentle, herding animals helps member countries develop became extinct. and advance regional approaches Over the past century, the United States, Canada, other countries, inter- on social, economic, health, and national organizations, indigenous people's governments, and others have learned and are demonstrating that international cooperation is environmental issues. It includes, in needed to ensure that other animals do not suffer the same fate as addition to government members Steller’s sea cows. Countries are aligned internationally in their focus, of the eight Arctic nations, these work, and goals in the Alaska international region to protect wildlife, indigenous peoples’ representatives people, and ecosystems. as Permanent Participants: the Aleut Environmental Concerns & Issues

Tribes Benefit from GIS Software Attention Science A J Matthews, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, and Engineering Environmental Services Students: The EPA Can Help You Pay Byline articles and inter- Tuition! views represent the opinions and views of contributors and If we are going to meet the are not necessarily those of the complex environmental challenges of tomorrow, we need to start U.S. Environmental Protection planning today. That’s why the Agency. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is helping future A geographic information scientists and engineers get the system (GIS) is a combina- training they need. Each year, tion of computer software, EPA awards fellowships to the hardware, and data designed nation’s top undergraduate and graduate students to help them to support the collection, Data acquistion is another complete their degrees. analysis, and display of geographic- key aspect in the success of a GIS What is STAR and GRO? related data. GIS is extremely program. Data can be acquired Two fellowship programs are beneficial to Tribes and can easily through many channels includ- available to students pursuing be obtained. The Bureau of Indian ing free downloads, data sharing degrees in environmental fields. Affairs (BIA) has an Enterprise agreements, and by purchase from The Science to Achieve Results License Agreement with ESRI, consultants or GIS companies. GIS (STAR) fellowship supports the company that produces the data can also be created using GPS graduate research in environmental science and engineering 10 information or by manipulating commonly used ArcGIS software. disciplines. The Greater Research The Geographic Data Service pre-existing data. It is important Opportunities (GRO) fellowship Center (GDSC) was established by that GIS data be updated and program is primarily designed the BIA in order to maintain the maintained in an organized, central to support students attend- license agreement. Under this agree- location. Relevant and readily ing colleges and universities ment, federally recognized Indian available data is a key factor in that traditionally have limited Tribes can obtain ArcGIS software the optimization of a Tribal GIS funds for research and develop- program. ment. In 2005, 168 STAR and and support at no cost. Licenses are GRO research fellowships were available for a variety of software The combination of state of the awarded to students from more options from the baseline entry art software, qualified users, and a than 110 universities in 43 states level package (ArcView) to the solid foundation of data will allow and the District of Columbia. more complicated analysis software any Tribe to maximize the potential All applicants for STAR and GRO (ArcInfo). Free training opportuni- of a GIS to meet the many needs of fellowships undergo a rigorous ties are also provided through the Tribal operations. peer-review process, ensuring GDSC in both instructor-led and that some of the best students in the country are chosen. online course formats. The courses Key Sites ◗◗ ESRI Main Page Who is Eligible? cover a variety of topics varying Applicants must be U.S. citizens from GIS introduction to more www.esri.com or lawfully admitted into the specific issues including geoprocess- ◗◗ Geographic Data Service Center country for permanent residence. ing and spatial analysis. The enter- www.esri.com/industries/federal/ In addition, fellows must be prise license agreement provides bia attending a college or university an avenue for the acquisition of ◗◗ ESRI Virtual Campus within the United States. For more information and appli- software and the qualification of campus.esri.com ◗◗ Data Depot (Free Downloads) cations, please visit www.epa. users through training and support. gov/ncer/fellow. With these benefits, Tribal organiza- data.geocomm.com tions can easily establish a successful GIS program. Environmental Concerns & Issues Climate Change Signs of a Warming Planet Adapted from “Hot summer a sign of warming planet,” Anchorage Daily News, Doug O’Harra, February 22, 2005

The opinions and views expressed panel discussions at the Alaska global temperatures over the past in this chapter are from the article Forum on the Environment in 400,000 years. from which it was adapted, and February 2005, Dr. Corell outlined ◗◗ The difference between a full ice are not necessarily those of the the devastating impact of a warming age and the sort of warm inter- Environmental Protection Agency. climate and melting ice across the glacial period now occurring on North. These impacts were summa- Earth appears to be only about Alaska’s long, hot summers are a rized by an international scientific 10 degrees Fahrenheit. great indication of a warming planet. committee commissioned to evaluate ◗◗ Similar studies of ice cores, tree Last year, temperatures in Alaska and synthesize knowledge on rings, and sediment show that averaged five degrees Fahrenheit climate variability, climate change, global temperatures spiked begin- above normal during the months and increased ultraviolet radiation ning with rapid industrialization of May, June, July, and August. and their consequences. Dr. Corell in the 1700’s to 1800’s, when According to Doug O’Harra, the served as chairperson of the commit- greenhouse gases like carbon warmer temperatures were driven tee. The committee also studied dioxide began to rise. by the warmest ocean temperatures how contaminants reach the Arctic ◗◗ Climate shifts are changing the ever measured in the Northern through air and water currents and ecosystem faster than plants and Hemisphere, matched globally by then enter the food chain. animals can respond and are the fourth-warmest year on record. Sheila Watt-Cloutier, chairperson stressing trees in Alaska’s interior, Episodes of lightening and the state’s of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, triggering insect outbreaks like 11 decrease in rainfall resulted in nearly also participated in panel discus- the spruce bark beetle in the 6.5 million acres of Alaskan land sions on contaminants and climate Southcentral region, and threat- burned. change at the Alaska Forum, and ening to push Arctic species like “Throw in melting glaciers, disin- suggested that excessive greenhouse the polar bear toward extinction. tegrating permafrost, diminishing gas emissions by the United States ◗◗ There is a need for a national sea ice, coastal erosion, changes in directly threaten the human rights “climate aware” campaign to vegetation and wildlife, insect infesta- of Arctic residents. Other effects reduce energy consumption. tions, rising sea level, and increasing of Alaska’s warm summer resulted People can begin by putting exposure to contaminants brought in lower surface water levels in the up storm windows, deciding to on air and sea currents, and Alaskans Yukon Flats region. According to walk instead of drive, lowering know firsthand about the poten- Craig Fleener, Council of Athabascan thermostats, and buying products tial damage and cost caused by the Tribal Governments, there was only from companies that also reduce shifting climate. The Climate is really a half-inch of rain in certain parts emissions. warming now, and you Alaskans of the Yukon Flats region, and the know that,” said Robert Corell, chair- waters could not be navigated. “The person of the Arctic Climate Impact community of Birch Creek was nearly Assessment Steering Committee for landlocked,” reported Fleener. the international Arctic Council, Doug O’Harra concluded his “Because this really is the bellwether, article with a summary of findings the canary in the mine: What we see presented by Dr. Robert Corell over the next decade here and in the during other meetings and speeches. Arctic, the rest of the world will see in Dr. Corell reports the following: the next 25 years.” ◗◗ Analysis of air sampled from Dr. Corell is a senior fellow ice cores in Antarctica shows a of the American Meteorological close match between greenhouse Society. As a participant in several gas concentrations and average Environmental Concerns & Issues Climate Change Impact of Climate Change on Alaska Native Communities Patricia Cochran, Alaska Native Science Commission

Byline articles and interviews ◗◗ Impacts of commercial and Alaska Natives have noticed many represent the opinions and views of sports fishing indications of major changes in contributors and are not necessar- ◗◗ Local and foreign sources of climate. ily those of the U.S. Environmental contaminants Protection Agency. ◗◗ Changes in the ecosystem What climate changes ◗◗ Perpetuation of culture. have been observed What are the environ- during the last 30 mental concerns of It is known that climate change affects a community’s way of life. years? some Alaska Natives? Alaska Natives have always expected ◗◗ Temperatures in parts of Alaska ◗ ◗ Global warming fluctuations from year-to-year in average more than four degrees ◗ ◗ Abnormalities in subsistence weather, hunting conditions, ice warmer during the last 30 years foods patterns, and animal populations. ◗◗ Permafrost is becoming imper- ◗ ◗ Human health However, since the 1970’s, some manent

Observations from Alaska Natives

Erosion, Ice, and Wind Temperatures Patterns 12 [Regarding] the temperatures, it used “There have been a lot of changes in to get warm, but now it gets hot. There the sea ice currents and the weather. are droughts in some places. There Solid ice has disappeared, and there are trees where there never used to be are no huge icebergs during the fall and trees. The tree line is moving out where winter. The ice now comes later and goes it didn’t used to be. If contaminants are out earlier, and it is getting thinner. The current is in the snow, then they are everywhere. stronger and it is windier on the island. We had a bad They will contaminate fish. We’re not going to walk hunting season with lots of high winds. Our elders around with a gas mask on; we’re going to have to tell us that our earth is getting old and needs to be figure out how to live. replaced by a new one.” — Orville Huntington, Husila — Jerry Wongittilin, Sr., Savoonga

“[In] Copper River, we’ve noticed that in the last 10 Seasonal Characteristics and years, it doesn’t freeze across like it used to. The Weather temperatures are warmer. The lakes are drying up. Over the last two years, the water has been low “Last spring we got only six walrus because of the in June affecting the fish run. Sockeyes are much weather and ice moving out too quickly. A long time smaller and so are hatchery fish.” ago, it used to be really nice for weeks and even — Gloria Stickwan, Cooper Center sometimes for months. Now, we only have a day or two of good weather, and this impacts our hunting. “This year our ice didn’t last long because it was so The hunters talk about the ice getting a lot thinner. It thin. It made it dangerous to go out. There was open is going out too quick. water between Wales and Brevig at Lost River. The — William Takak, Shaktoolik ice at Wales, when it forms, goes out a quarter of a mile and forms a pressure ridge. The ice was very thin [last year] and rotted very early between the Byline articles and interviews represent the opinions pressure ridge and the village.” and views of contributors and are not necessarily those — Ellen Richards, Wales of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Concerns & Issues Climate Change

◗◗ Glaciers are retreating by 15 affect phytoplankton and zooplank- not only mirror percent every decade ton growth, which indirectly affect scientists’ predic- ◗◗ More incidents reported of fish, marine mammals, and human tions, but provide hunters and travelers falling harvests due to lifecycle dependen- first-hand evidence of through thin sea ice cies. the effects of climate change. ◗◗ Spruce beetles are decimating Researchers investigating these For more information, contact forest areas climate observations believe that Patricia Cochran, Alaska Native ◗◗ The Iditarod (dog sled race) changes in solar activity, position- Science Commission, at pcochran@ has moved north due to lack of ing of the moon, variations in the aknsc.org or visit www.native- snow. Aleutian low (the low pressure science.org or www.nativeknowl- center located near the Aleutian edge.org. Climate change affects shore Islands), and atmospheric pressure erosion and wind patterns, ice “regime” shifts are the cause. conditions, seasonal character- When considering the broad istics, and human populations. impacts of climate change, Alaska In studying shore erosion at Natives are already seeing the Shishmaref, Alaska, scientists have effects on cultural and traditional observed that the sea is almost ways of acquiring and storing food. ice-free well into December instead The observations of Alaska Natives of October, and that there are more frequent storms in the area in the summer and fall. Also, the sea is gnawing away at the local airstrip and has “relocated” 18 homes. Climate change also impacts 13 ◗ food resources. Water temperatures Alaska Inter-Tribal Council ◗ Sample template on how to (AITC) has developed a website keep a climate change obser- for Villages on non-local source vation journal contaminant issues. “Nunat” ◗◗ Materials (presentations, will be about climate change, handouts, etc.) from recent resource development (mining conferences etc.), and contaminants, and ◗◗ Calendar of events and grant how these events might impact deadlines subsistence. The website became ◗◗ Introduction tutorials/infor- “live” in February 2008. www. mation on main and sub nunat.net topics Planned features of the site ◗◗ Personal stories of how include: climate change is impacting ◗◗ Village-to-village message villages and lives board for mining, climate ◗◗ Email listserves to keep change, contaminants, subsis- informed, and a list of groups tence changes, etc. that meet about climate ◗◗ Fish database for villages to change, mining, etc. share “unusual” fish observa- ◗◗ “Where is my mine at?” tions with other Villages, and Links to status of mining pictures/video of fish caught permitting process with that look different contact information etc. ◗◗ “Climate change” gallery – video and photo uploads of people’s climate and subsistence change observations Environmental Concerns & Issues Climate Change Impacts of Climate Change in Golovin Alaska Toby Anungazuk Jr., Environmental Coordinator Chinik Eskimo Community Tribal Environmental Program

Byline articles and interviews represent the opinions and views of contributors and are not necessarily those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The community of Golovin is in the Norton Sound. Cape Darby and Rocky Point, on the Golovin Bay, act as a buffer zone to almost all severe storms. In previous decades, occurrences of high water in Golovin were infrequent. From the mid-1960’s to 1992, the lower part of Golovin was inundated only twice with a potentially damaging storm surge. However, such storms August colors. This summer, the hunting regulations do not always are now occurring more frequently. first salmon berries ripened a week keep up with the changing weather 14 In 2003, a storm surge hit Golovin earlier than ever before. In addition patterns, hunters may be forced that lasted for approximately to early vegetative maturation, to hunt in more adverse weather one day before the high water many small birds and ducks have conditions. Salmon and herring receded. In late October 2004, begun to lay eggs earlier. What will fishing harvests could decline if Northwesterly winds of less than happen if most of the birds hatch most of the fish arrive early before 40 knots, coupled with severe high eggs early and we have a late spring the nets are set. Clouds arriving water conditions and an extremely freeze after the eggs hatch? Our at the coast have lost most of the high tide, caused water to breach concern is that the food sources moisture necessary for the different the roads and the beach ridge at an needed for raising young may not types of berries to ripen. When unprecedented speed. be at their optimum levels, and there is less rain, the tundra has In Golovin, we are experienc- the birds and ducks may not try to desert like conditions, which ing a much earlier spring thaw. lay a new batch of eggs. Another seriously raises the threat level for The snow is melting over a month concern is that sea mammals rely on a tundra fire. Such a fire could be earlier than it did in the late 1980’s, stable ice conditions to raise their disastrous to the community and and it doesn’t start freezing until pups. Will these sea mammals, animal habitats. later in the fall. Snow does not which remain an important part of We believe that contaminants in accumulate on the ground until the Golovin diet, be more difficult “Arctic Haze,” including airborne after the Thanksgiving holiday. to harvest because they are follow- dust, absorb heat and, therefore, Ice is melting on the water bodies ing the northward receding ice contribute to early snow melts. approximately one month earlier earlier in the season than usual? Once the dust melts some of the and freezing over a month later These climate changes also snow accumulated on the ground than in the past. make it more difficult to “predict” and exposes patches of earth, the In the beginning of July, Agnes the weather. Weather prediction ground temperature begins to rise, Amarok, Golovin’s Eldest, noted is essential for hunting, fishing, speeding up the melting process. that the grass, willows, and edible harvesting, and protecting human greens had already changed to and animal habitats. Because Environmental Concerns & Issues Wildlife & Endangered Species The Basics of the 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA) Secody Hubbard, EPA Office of Civil Rights

Congress passed the Endangered curtailment of its habitat or range; enclaves are independent entities Species Preservation Act of 1966 (B) overutilization for commercial, with inherent powers of self-govern- and the Endangered Species recreational, scientific, or educa- ment based on treaties, statutes, Conservation Act of 1969. tional purposes; (C) disease or judicial decisions, executive orders, Although the laws allowed for a predation; (D) the inadequacy of or agreements. The US FWS, as a listing of endangered species for existing regulatory mechanisms; representative of the Federal govern- protection, they were limited in or, (E) other natural or manmade ment, has responsibilities to observe their protective scope. Finally, factors affecting its continued several key elements of Federal- in 1973, Congress passed the existence. Indian relations in protecting native Endangered Species Act (ESA), natural resources. They are: which is considered to be one of ESA and Tribal ◗◗ The Federal trust responsibility the most comprehensive conserva- Governments toward Indian tribes tion laws for wildlife in the world. American Indian lands in the ◗◗ Respect for tribal rights The law is administered by the lower 48 States comprise over 45 ◗◗ Acknowledgement of treaty Interior Department’s Fish and million acres of reserved lands, obligations of the United States Wildlife Service (US FWS) and the and another 40 million acres of toward tribes National Oceanic and Atmospheric traditional Native lands in Alaska ◗◗ The government-to-government Administration (NOAA). US FWS with over 200 Federally recognized relationship in working with has primary responsibility for tribes. Much of the acreage in tribes 15 terrestrial and freshwater organisms, native Alaska remains untouched ◗◗ Protection of natural resources while NOAA-Fisheries has marine and unspoiled. The protection of that the Federal government species responsibility. native lands is vital to tribes as holds in trust for tribes. The ESA is intended to conserve human welfare is tied closely to Implementing the ESA in ecosystems that endangered and the land. The reservation environ- relation to Indian tribes, the threatened species depend on. ment including land, natural Departments of Interior and Federal agencies are required to resources, and wildlife species Commerce issued Secretarial ensure that the actions taken by an not only provides economic self- Order #3206 (American Indian agency do not jeopardize a listed sufficiency, but they are an intri- Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal species and/or destroy or modify cate part of native spirituality and Trust Responsibilities, and the critical habitat. In protecting physical sustenance in the inter- Endangered Species Act) in plant and wildlife, all species are connected web of the American June, 1997, that clarified roles, eligible for listing as endangered Indian way of life. Sustaining the responsibilities, and guidance in or threatened, with the exception overall reservation and native land’s working with tribal Governments. of pest insects. Currently, the list environmental integrity is not only Essentially, the Order acknowledges of threaten or endangered species essential to preserving the reserva- the trust responsibility and treaty contains mammals, birds, fish, tions themselves, but also satisfies obligations, and sets principles for snails, clams/mussels, reptiles, Tribal Government's priority to Agency coordination with tribal insects, plants, etc. The most listed keep native lands healthy and viable governments. The Order, however, species under the law are plants, environments for future genera- excluded Alaska Natives. ESA mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and tions. Section 10(e) provides that clam/mussels. In working with Tribal the Act’s prohibition on Generally, the determination Governments, the US FWS recog- takings of species of endangered and threatened nizes that the unique legal posture generally does species is based on the following of the tribes in relation to the not factors: (A) the present or threat- federal government is deeply rooted ened destruction, modification, or in American history. These unique Environmental Concerns & Issues Wildlife & Endangered Species

apply to Alaska Natives if the mendations for management Availability and Request for taking is primarily for subsistence actions, plans, or regulations; Comment, 65 FR 41709, July purposes. In January of 2001, the population and harvest monitoring 6, 2000) Secretary of Interior issued Order projects; law enforcement activi- ◗◗ Secretarial Order #3206: No. 3225 (Endangered Species Act ties; education programs; research American Indian Tribal and Subsistence Uses in Alaska, design, data collection and use Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Supplement to Order No. 3206) of traditional knowledge; habitat Responsibilities, and the which established a consultation protection programs; and recovery Endangered Species Act (June framework relative to the subsis- projects that minimize the cultural 5, 1997) tence exemption in Sec.10(e) of the and economic impact on Alaska ◗◗ Questions & Answers— ESA. The consultation framework Native communities. Working in American Indian Tribal addresses conservation concerns a conservation-partnership and Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust relative to a species that is listed as government-to-government manner Responsibilities, and the endangered or threatened under the will benefit both the endangered Endangered Species Act ESA and also used for subsistence resources and will exercise treaty ◗◗ U.S. Department of Interior, by Alaska Natives, tribes and other rights of tribal governments. Bureau of Indian Affairs Native organizations. Alaska is served by the US Fish ◗◗ Department of the Interior, Today, the Department of and Wildlife located in Anchorage, Responsibilities for Indian Trust Interior collaborates with Alaska Alaska. Alaska is Region 7. Resources Natives when subsistence take For further information regard- ◗◗ List of Federally Recognized negatively impacts certain listed ing specific species, issues, and American Indian Tribes species. In devising cooperative regulations, consult the following and Alaska Natives (Federal agreements, they not only form organizations and documents: Register: December 5, 2003 conservation partnerships and ◗◗ Office of the Native American [Volume 68, Number 234] ). 16 conserve listed species, but the Liaison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Or contact: agreements also meet the subsis- Service Native American Liaison tence needs. ◗◗ Executive Order 13175, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management of subsistence Consultation and Coordination 1011 East Tudor Road species by FWS and Alaska Natives with Indian Tribal Governments Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6199 share a common goal of conserving (November 6, 2000) T-LIP Contact: Tony DeGange sensitive species including candi- ◗◗ Final Recommendations of (907) 786-3492 date, proposed, and listed species. the Working Group on the Other collaborative management ESA and Indian Water Rights efforts include: forming recom- (Federal Register Notice of Environmental Concerns & Issues Wildlife & Endangered Species Endangered Species List of Alaska

On December 27, 2006, the Secretary of Interior announced a proposal to have the Polar Bear listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and to conduct a twelve month study before making a final decision to list the species. The proposal cites concerns about the effect of receding sea ice on the habits of polar bears, which use the ice as a platform to hunt for prey, and intends to investigate other factors that may have an adverse effect on the polar bear populations. The proposed rule and other information about the proposal is available on the Marine Mammal website at: alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/issues.htm

The species listed below have been identified as endangered in Alaska by the Commissioner of Fish and Game. This information was gathered from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation. For more information, please visit www.adfg.state.ak.us or contact the Office of the Commissioner at ADF&G Headquarters, P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, Alaska 99802-5526, (907) 465-4100. Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis Short-tailed albatross, Diomedea albatrus Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae Right whale, Eubalaena glacialis Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus Steller's sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus

Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis The Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis, is currently listed as an Alaska endangered species and a federal endan- 17 gered species. Eskimo curlews are medium-sized shorebirds and are related to the whimbrel. They are about 12-inches long and have a slightly down-curved bill. Their coloring is dark cinnamon, and they have solid primary feathers. In the mid-1800’s, huge flocks of the Eskimo curlew migrated from South America to their nesting areas in the Alaska and Canadian arctic. According to researchers, unrestricted market hunting led to the decline of the species between 1870 and 1890. The last documented sighting of the Eskimo curlew was in Texas in 1962. Source Author: Skip Ambrose.

Short-tailed albatross, Diomedea albatrus The Short-tailed albatross, Diomedea albatrus, is currently listed as an Alaska endangered species and a federal endangered species. Mostly seen in the North Pacific, the Short-tailed albatross is a large seabird with narrow, seven-foot-long wings for soaring low over the ocean. The young birds are chocolate brown and turn white as they grow older. The adult short-tailed albatross have an entirely white back, white or pale yellow head and back of neck, and black and white wings. Their bill is large, pink, and hooked at the end with a blue tip. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, feather hunters killed an estimated five million short-tailed albatrosses, resulting in much of their decline. The species then further declined after volcanic eruptions in Japan in the 1930’s. From the late 1940’s to 1993, the species numbers have dramatically grown from fewer than 50 to over 600. Source Author: Jean Fitts Cochrane. U.S. Fish & Wildlife U.S. Wildlife Service, Fish & Alaska Image Library Environmental Concerns & Issues Wildlife & Endangered Species

Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae The Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, is currently listed as an Alaska endangered species and a federal endangered species. Humpback whales have stocky bodies and flat, broad heads. Their upper bodies are black or blue-black, and their flippers, grooved undersides, flanks, and underside of the flukes can be white or black. Humpback whales can be found in a wide range of ocean habitats from the waters surrounding tropical islands to shallow waters off continental coasts. They are seasonal feeders and build up body fat reserves in the summer and then migrate to warmer subtropical areas during the winter breeding season. In Alaska, humpbacks feed mostly on krill and small fish. Currently, there are approximately 1,000 to 1,200 humpback whales compared to the estimated 15,000 whales that existed in the North Pacific prior to mechanized commercial whaling. Source Author: Tamra Faris.

Right whale, Eubalaena glacialis The Right whale, Eubalaena glacialis, is currently listed as an Alaska endangered species and a federal endangered species. Northern right whales are found in the northern and southern hemispheres, including both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Alaska right whales feed in the northern waters of the Pacific Ocean during the summer and migrate to lower latitudes to breed during the winter. Northern right whales grow up to 56 feet in length and are mostly 18 black with some white patches on their bellies. Northern right whales were over-hunted from Alaska Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Division Conservation of 1835 to the 1850's. They were sought after because of their thick blubber, long baleen, and slow swim speed. Currently, there are approximately 100 to 500 Northern right whales. Source Author: Linda Shaw.

Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus The Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus, is currently listed as an Alaska endangered species and a federal endangered species. The blue whale is the largest living animal in the world, with an estimated average length of 75 to 80 feet and weight of 200,000 pounds. Their coloring is mottled bluish-gray, and their heads are wide and flat. Blue whales migrate long distances between equatorial wintering grounds and high latitude feeding areas. Blue whales spend most of their time along the edges of the continental shelves and are seldom seen in coastal Alaska waters. An estimated 4,900 to 6,000 blue whales inhabited the northern Pacific Ocean prior to whaling. During the whaling seasons of 1910 to 1966, however, an estimated 8,200 blue whales were killed in the North Pacific. Currently, there are approximately 1,200 to 1,700 blue whales in the North Pacific. Source Author: Steve Zimmerman. Steller’s sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus The Steller’s sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus, is listed as endangered for the segment of the population located west of 144 deg. W. longitude (a line near Cape Suckling, AK). The population of this western stock declined 75% between 1976 and 1990. The decline was believed to be caused by direct takings, reduced prey abundance, or certain diseases and contaminants. Other stocks of the Steller’s sea lion are listed as threatened. Source: Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Environmental Concerns & Issues Mining & Industry Mining in Alaska, A Tribal Member's Perspective Hailey McKenzie, Cherokee Nation (Deer Clan), Talequah, Oklahoma Hailey was EPA's summer tribal intern to the "OPPTS Tribal News, in 2004. A part of this intern experience is for each intern to develop an article for the publication that features their own environmental interest area or shares their own unique tribally affiliated issues related to the environment. Byline articles and interviews by which free gold is washed from and ore transfer facilities can result in represent the opinions and views of stream gravels, dominated Alaskan impacts hundreds of miles away from contributors and are not necessar- mining from the early 1900’s through the mine sites. ily those of the U.S. Environmental the late 1950’s. However, the practice In some cases, the regulatory Protection Agency. has been eclipsed by large, industrial process is complex. For example, there Mining is essential for harvesting hardrock mines operated by multina- are mines in transboundary areas that the resources needed to fuel our high- tional companies.2 have impacts in Canada. Other factors tech world. However, it is important The Interior and Arctic regions are contributing to regulatory complex- to consider the associated hazards the primary targets for future mining ity include: the location of mines on to the people that live around the in Alaska. The latest mining boom corporation lands that can be native, mining sites and to the land and water began with the development of the or nested in a variety of ways so that that surround these areas. Red Dog Mine in the 1980’s, and was the ownership cannot easily be deter- The mining sector is made up of compounded by the discovery of gold mined; the fact that some mines are establishments that extract natural deposits near Fairbanks (Fort Knox enclaves in parks or other types of resources from the earth such as crude Mine) and Delta (Pogo Mine). These Federal land; and, the fact that some petroleum, mineral solids, ores, coal, mineral deposit discoveries have resulted mines have legacy property rights and and natural gas. Mining also refers in rapid, aggressive claim staking and deeds, often in special status. 19 to practices such as well operations, exploration by mining companies.2 In addition to the aforementioned crushing, screening, washing, flota- Metal mining is one of the problems, there has been a lack of tion, and other preparation customar- largest producers of toxics in the proper consultation with tribes in ily performed at the mine site or as United States, generating up to two many of these cases. It is not easy to part of mining activity.1 billion tons of solid waste annually. properly examine the records. In one Alaska is known for having According to the U.S. Environmental case I have worked on for many years, an abundance of gold and rich Protection Agency’s (US EPA) Toxics there has been consultation with one deposits of lead, silver, zinc, and Release Inventory (TRI), metal selected tribe, but not with other tribes copper. The Kennecott Copper mining produces over 50 percent of who also have felt impacts in their Mine (now a National Park) in the toxics reported through the TRI. In communities. It should not be the Wrangell Mountains was one of the 2003, Alaska’s only operational metal responsibility of one tribe to inform richest copper deposits ever found. mines, Red Dog, Greens Creek, and another. Furthermore, one tribe should Teck-Cominco’s Red Dog Mine, Fort Knox, were ranked as the top certainly not speak for, or in any located in the DeLong Mountains 50 three toxic producers within the state.3 other way be responsible for, the tribal miles northeast of the Native Village Douglas Dobyns, of the Sitka citizens of the other tribe(s), unless of Kivalina, is currently the world’s Tribe of Alaska, provided his personal there are protocols and resolutions largest lead-zinc mine. It is estimated opinion on the impacts of mining in between the tribal governments that that the mine holds 25 million tons of Alaska. The following is a summary of provide the basis for that to occur.4 zinc. Platinum has also been mined in his comments. There is a need to raise aware- Alaska. In addition to metal mining, A number of Tribes from Alaska ness of the nearby and far-off prospectors are conducting explorations have voiced concerns over mining impacts of mining, the for precious gems, such as diamonds impacts. The impacts can be far- current problems, and and sapphires, in stream gravels.2 reaching and long lasting. Transfers potential future Placer gold mining, the process and run off from water, wind, roads, problems.

1 US Census Bureau. Data Tools Catalog Census 2000. 2 Northern Alaska Environmental Center website. www.northern.org/artman/publish/mining.shtml. 3 Metal Mining and the Toxics Release Inventory – Fact Sheet. www.northern.org/artman/publish/metalmining.pdf. 4 Direct communication with Douglas Dobyns, member of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. Environmental Concerns & Issues Mining & Industry Cooperating Tribes, A Tribal Perspective Colleen E. Swan, Kivalina, Alaska

Byline articles and interviews ally contained and diverted to the represent the opinions and views of tailings containment pond. However, contributors and are not necessar- I never felt peace of mind after that “Any scientist would tell you ily those of the U.S. Environmental and, therefore, began my campaign that what grows in certain Protection Agency. to protect our environment against environments grows there for contamination from the largest lead a reason...Anything that grows Tribes acting as cooperating and zinc mine in the world. in Northwest Alaska in our agencies when a federal project falls In an effort to reach this goal, our geographic area is what we within their geographic area or reser- tribal government requested desig- eat, [and] what we eat...thrives and survives in the Arctic. What vation makes more sense than project nation as a cooperating agency (or we eat is who we are, and it is proponents care to admit. Native stake holder) on a project that would so important to us to be able people have an intimate knowledge expand the Red Dog Mine operations. to protect our tribal resources. of their surroundings and are more This project was headed by the Army We need to be able to protect aware of the dynamics of the natural Corps of Engineers (Alaska District) ourselves and our way of life. environment they live in. The road (ACoE). The purpose of the project Colleen Swan, Native Village of that led me to this conclusion was was to expand the Delong Mountain Kivalina not an easy one to travel. It was an Transportation Terminal System to Our request for designation as uphill road that was riddled with improve efficiency and safety. But how a cooperating agency was initially manmade obstacles and jagged rocks, would this project benefit the public 20 denied based on the fact that we not traveled by many others. It and be of national benefit as required were a tribe without reservation saddens me to know that there still by the National Environmental status and didn’t have “special is much disrespect for Native People. Policy Act of 1969 when it served expertise.” However, our opposi- There still is a sense among many, only the Red Dog Mine? Red Dog tion to this decision drove our case including our own people, that rural Mine is a private company owned by to Washington D.C., where we Alaska native people are not equipped TeckCominco, whose parent company explained that we were a federally- with advanced knowledge and techni- is located in Canada. Public funds recognized tribe serving its members cal skills like people of other races. were to be used to finance the project. and have certain responsibilities to The Indigenous people’s knowledge It was stated that the improvements those members as approved by the comes from centuries of observations would include reducing the cost of Secretary of Interior in our constitu- made as they experienced life in the fuel to the villages in the Northwest tion and by-laws. wild, untamed lands. Arctic Borough by turning the Red In the end, the decision made My experience began a little more Dog Mine Port into a centralized fuel by the ACoE was overturned than 10 years ago while working as distribution point. However, in order and it became possible for all Tribal Administrator for the Native to accomplish these goals, they would tribes in Alaska to be designated Village of Kivalina. I began with have to buy fuel from Singapore or Cooperating Agencies. However, little knowledge about politics, but other foreign countries at drastically the designation was not granted learned quickly after considering what reduced costs. But wouldn’t we then to our tribe because we were not was at stake. Our village was almost reduce fuel sales in the United States? able to reach an agreement with immediately impacted by pollution Also, an environmental impact state- the ACoE as to what our tribe’s from the newly-constructed Red Dog ment reported that the project would responsibilities would be for the Mine. Contaminated run-off from have a devastating impact on our way Cooperating Agency Agreement. the waste rock pile flowed into our of life, based on a preliminary study That is a consequence that we will fresh water source, the Wulik River of the possible environmental and have to deal with if the Delong and killed thousands of wild trout human health effects resulting from Mountain Transportation Terminal fish, one of our people’s main sources the project. Improvement Project is approved. of food. The run-off was eventu- Environmental Concerns & Issues Mining & Industry Canadian Mine Threatens Alaskan Interests in Taku: Review Process Leaves Many Questions Unanswered Chris Zimmer, Rivers Without Borders

Byline articles and interviews federal permits) and the permitting hoverbarge, the permitting process- represent the opinions and views of process began in December 2007. es and concerns raised to date see contributors and are not necessar- The Alaska Department of Fish www.riverswithoutborders.org. ily those of the U.S. Environmental and Game (ADFG), fishermen, The Acid Mine Drainage Protection Agency. local businesses, Alaska Natives (AMD) problem continues at both and numerous others have raised Tulsequah Chief and Big Bull sites. Update: strong concerns about the potential Redcorp claims it can’t clean up Since this article was written in for the hoverbarge and tug vessels this pollution until it re-opens the October 2006 Redcorp Ventures to harm spawning adult salmon, Tulsequah Chief mine because they has placed its road access plans incubating eggs and embryos and lack access to the site. However, on hold and is now proposing to rearing juvenile salmon, to degrade this past Summer Redcorp use a new and untested combina- salmon habitat, to erode river conducted several conventional tion of a hoverbarge and several banks and increase sedimenta- barging and helicopter operations types of tug vessels (including a tion and to disrupt the annual ice to bring in supplies, heavy equip- new “amphitrac” tug) to service freezeup and breakup regime. The ment and other materials for mine the Tulsequah Chief mine via the Alaska permitting process has now development so the claim of no Taku River and Juneau, Alaska. been suspended because Redcorp access is questionable. While this proposal would elimi- has twice failed to supply adequate The Taku River Tlingit First 21 nate the road and its numerous information to Alaska permitting Nation (TRTFN) is continuing impacts on the Taku, this new plan agencies. The British Columbia Land Use Planning negotiations raises serious concerns for Taku (BC) permitting process is also with the BC government. The salmon, wildlife and their habitats. underway, but the Canadian federal negotiations should move from Redcorp now requires permits from process has not yet been scoped. framing to substantial negotia- the State of Alaska (but no US For more information on the tions by early summer 2008. This planning process could provide long-term environmental and ecosystem protection supported by sustainable development, but such outcomes are far from guaranteed. British Columbia has always been clear that these negotiations have no bearing on their approval of road access to the Tulsequah Chief site, and there are strong indications that BC may require a legis- lated road access corridor reserve into the lower Taku whether or not the current mine propo- nent requires or builds such a road. The Taku Watershed is now Graphic courtesy Without Graphic Borders of Rivers Environmental Concerns & Issues Mining & Industry

more than ever at an important from my cabin in Juneau, eight Treaty?5 Or will the United States crossroads: will it become a new miles from the Taku, the commer- and Canada take this opportunity mining district with the river cial salmon fleet is wrapping up to develop a long term stewardship serving as an industrial highway a lucrative fishing season. Sport plan that allows for economic devel- and without proper environmen- fishermen also benefit from the opment, respects native rights, and tal review and long term land use Taku’s rich fisheries, with almost protects the Taku’s clean water and planning or will the State of Alaska half of the Juneau sport fish catch healthy salmon runs? conduct a more rigorous review dependent on the Taku.2 The Taku of the hoverbarge proposal and fishery is worth at least $7.5 million Wrong Mine, Wrong seize the opportunity presented by to Southeast Alaska, while tourism Place the BC/TRTFN planning talks? brings in over $18 million3. The Many Alaskans think this is the The way this is resolved will set Taku is the traditional home of the wrong mine in the wrong place: precedents, for better or worse, as Tlingit native people. an acid-generating mine, mixing to how transboundary industrial The future of this watershed zone and tailings dump upstream projects are reviewed and how fish is in doubt. A junior Canadian from some of the most important and wildlife protections will be mining company, Redcorp Ventures spawning and rearing habitats provided. (and its subsidiary Redfern in the watershed. The Alaska Resources), plans to re-open Department of Fish and Game is Original Article the Tulsequah Chief mine, and worried about Flannigan Slough, (October, 2006) probably the nearby Big Bull mine, just downstream from the conflu- and construct a 100 mile access ence of the Tulsequah and Taku Crossroads for World road through the heart of the water- Rivers, and wrote in 2001 that Class Watershed shed to Atlin, British Columbia “this area is extremely important The transboundary Taku River (BC). Other mining companies for rearing juvenile and staging 22 is one of the top five salmon rivers are interested in using this road to and spawning adult salmon… in Alaska and usually the top open mines, with mineral stakings Degradation of spawning or rearing producer of salmon in Southeast and exploration on the increase (see habitat or water quality in this area, Alaska. Up to 2 million salmon maps).4 from mining or other development return annually.1 Twice the size of The Taku is at a crossroads. activity, could have substantial Yellowstone Park, it is the largest Will it suffer from piecemeal devel- adverse effects on the health of unprotected, undeveloped water- opment without long term land anadromous fish stocks throughout shed on the west coast of North planning and without regard to the the river6.” America. obligations of the Boundary Waters The US EPA “is particularly As I write this in October 2006 Treaty and the Pacific Salmon concerned with the operator’s ability to maintain in perpetuity the tailings impoundment, proposed to be located in the active floodplain of Shazah Creek, the project’s ability to meet water quality objectives, and the potential for cumulative long- term water quality impacts.”7 Cleanup Failures The track record is not encour- aging. The Tulsequah Chief and Big Bull mines were abandoned by Cominco in the late 1950’s without being cleaned up, and acid mine drainage has since been pollut- ing the Tulsequah River, the main Photograph courtesy Photograph Morrison of Paul tributary to the Taku. Redfern Aerial view of Tulsequah Chief mine site, 2005 Environmental Concerns & Issues Mining & Industry

be best served by considering potential environmental effects of extended use of the road after mine site closure.”10 Statements by BC and Redfern about restricting access and closing the road are contradicted by BC law, which allows any company with a timber license or mining claim use of the road--a reality that BC was well aware of at the start of this project. According to a September 20, 1999 cable from the US Consulate in Vancouver, “BC officials acknowledged that under their law it would be virtually

Photograph courtesy Photograph Morrison of Paul impossible to refuse access to the Aerial view of Taku River, 2005” mine road to any legitimate third party.” has been violating the Canadian Canadians Ignore Road The parties are stepping Fisheries Act for 10 yeas and is the Issues forward. In January 2005, the subject of a federal cleanup order. The US EPA’s comments to president of Canarc said, “Our In 1990, Canadian regulators the Canadian federal environmen- re-activation of the New Polaris 23 found “considerable acid genera- tal assessment in February 2005 project coincides not only with tion” and “acutely toxic” water stated, “An associated concern is higher gold prices but also with samples at the Tulsequah Chief. the potential for other mines such the pending development of the Subsequent inspections through as the Polaris and Big Bull, and large Tulsequah Chief copper-zinc- October 2003 found that “none possibly others, to be re-opened gold-silver mine and road access of the measures undertaken by as well. The potential cumulative of Redcorp Ventures, immedi- [Redfern] had significantly reduced water quality impacts of multiple ately adjacent to the New Polaris the acutely lethal toxicity” of the mines operating in this highly 11 8 property.” Mineral exploration discharges from the two sites. In productive and sensitive watershed and staking is also dramatically July 2005, Redfern installed a treat- will require much more additional increasing in the Taku, especially ment plant at the Tulsequah Chief analysis…”9 along the road route (see maps).12 as a temporary measure. Although The lead Canadian federal BC and Redfern are promot- we have been denied access to agency, Department of Fisheries ing widespread development of the monitoring reports and other infor- and Oceans (DFO), ignored Taku based on the Tulsequah Chief mation on the cleanup by both comments such as these by access road and are, at the same Redfern and Canadian agencies, it adopting the completely unfound- time, making promises to close appears that this plant is receiving ed assumption that the Tulsequah the road. A 1993 news article said, mixed reviews. No apparent efforts Chief access road would be closed “John Greig of Redfern Resources are being made to clean up Big when the mine closed. In its July says that Taku River corridor road Bull. 2005 environmental assessment access is critical to develop- Although the mine and its approval, DFO asserted that the ment of the northwestern tailings dump pose serious risks to road would be decommissioned British Columbia mining Taku water quality and salmon, the with the mine, blatantly ignoring industry.”13 In its access road is the larger threat. The the advice of its own minister who reasons for access road is the “foot in the door” said in 2004 that “DFO under- approving to major industrial development in stands that its Fisheries Act and the the Taku watershed. CEAA [Canadian Environmental Assessment Act] reviews would Environmental Concerns & Issues Mining & Industry

Tulsequah Chief in 2002, the BC Alaskan and Other Ministry of Energy and Mines Concerns Ignored committed to “require that Redfern Alaskans have been worried close the access road as a means about this project for years, and of ensuring that any impacts to believe that these concerns have wildlife that result from the use of never really been addressed by the the access road stop, when the mine Canadian federal or BC govern- closes.” Yet, three months earlier on ment. September 13, 2002, the Ministry In December 2001, Alaska issued a press release promoting governor Tony Knowles wrote: their Geological Survey Branch’s “The State of Alaska has been “Joss’alun Discovery” in the Taku working on issues related to the watershed. The release included Tulsequah mine project for over a website link showing the as yet 7 years, but nothing to date gives unbuilt Tulsequah Chief mine road us confidence that our concerns and including a note that “The for protecting Taku River salmon occurrence is about 22 km from the and their habitat have been courtesy Photograph of Chris Zimmer, Without Borders Rivers proposed Tulsequah road route.” addressed.”15 The situation hasn’t Taku River sand flats and glacier on In a validation of the old saying gotten any better since then. In lower river, Oct. 2007 of “give ‘em an inch and they’ll take a March 2003, the United Southeast that the views of Alaskans were mile,” Redfern is now stating that the Alaska Gillnetters wrote, in a integrated into the BC assessment Tulsequah Chief “project” includes letter to the DFO minister, “we or even seen by Ministers making both the Tulsequah Chief and Big have never been satisfied that our 14 the decisions.”17 Bull. A mine of this size, and concerns have been addressed in a 24 After a February 8, 2005 Taku specifically reopening Big Bull, was serious manner.”16 In July 2004, Public Forum, convened by the never assessed by Canadian agencies Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho City of Juneau after Canadian and requires additional environmental wrote to the Canadian federal agencies refused to host a public assessment and new approvals. government, “There is no evidence hearing in Alaska, Mayor Botelho told Canadian radio, “The overwhelming majority of people testifying are either opposed to the mine development or very concerned that there has been insufficient demonstration that the watershed would be adequately protected.”18 What Next? During the federal assessment, DFO brushed aside substantive concerns and questions with a promise that the issues would be addressed in a detailed permitting process. However, it appears that this process is stalled. In fact, DFO is now claiming that no further review is needed before the issuance of permits for the access road.19 DFO is facing a lawsuit filed by Photograph courtesy Photograph of Chris Zimmer, Without Borders Rivers Rivers Without Borders that seeks to Acid mine drainage into Tulsequah River, Oct. 2007 Environmental Concerns & Issues Mining & Industry halt the issuance of any permits until economical ore deposit, and plan convened serious flaws in the DFO environ- on issuing a new feasibility study under the author- mental assessment are addressed, by early 2007. ity of the Boundary including the clearly wrong assump- Now is an excellent opportu- Waters Treaty is another tion that the road will be closed, and nity to take a step back from the vehicle to resolve the disputes until a detailed permitting process is focus on this one flawed project in the Taku, but Canada and completed as promised. A decision and develop a long term manage- BC oppose this option. from the Federal Court of Canada ment plan for this watershed. In “The Tlingit people on both is expected sometime in mid to late contrast to BC’s rush to develop sides of the border have a long-term 2007. the Taku watershed, the Taku River commitment to the land, while the The company must soon Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN) has mining company has only a short- demonstrate that it has an econom- developed a conservation-based term interest in this land,” said John ical project. On May 17, 2005, land plan that allows for economic Ward of the TRTFN in February Redcorp Ventures Ltd. halted its development while ensuring that 2005.22 The question at hand is feasibility study and announced the Taku will remain healthy whether governments and industries that the project is now on hold and productive.21 The Tlingit will take this long term view. due to a “combination of increased are now in formal government- For more information, please capital and operating expenditure to-government talks with BC contact: estimates and a reduced resource regarding land planning and the Chris Zimmer estimate,” and that more work future of the Taku. The Tlingit US Field Coordinator will be needed to make the project are asking that no development Rivers Without Borders “financeable.”20 They are now occur prior to the finalization of (907) 586-4905 conducting new drilling at the a detailed land management plan, [email protected] Tulsequah Chief and Big Bull in but BC has refused this request. An www.riverswithoutborders.org 25 a desperate attempt to find an International Joint Commission Graphic courtesy Without Graphic Borders of Rivers Environmental Concerns & Issues Mining & Industry

References: high levels of natural production”, Vol.9, Iss. 11; Sec. 1. pg. 45. 1. Undated factsheet, Alaska “maintain … safe passage of salmon 14. Redcorp Ventures, Second Department of Fish and Game; to and from their natal streams”, Quarter Interim Report for the Comments to DFO, US EPA and “maintain adequate water Period Ending June 30, 2006, page Region 10, February 18, 2005. quality and quantity.” 4. 2. Personal communication 7. Comments to DFO, US 15. Press release, Governor with Ed Jones, fisheries biologist, EPA Region 10, February 18, 2005. Tony Knowles, December 5, 2001. Alaska Department of Fish and 6. State of Alaska White Paper, 16. Letter from United Game, December 2004. October 2001. Southeast Alaska Gillnetters to 3. The Taku River Economy: 8. Letter from Environment DFO Minister Thibault, March 17, An Economic Profile Of The Taku Canada Minister David Anderson to 2003. River Area, The McDowell Group, Nicole Lischewski, February 12, 2004. 17. Letter from Juneau Mayor September 2004. 9. Comments to DFO, US Botelho to Canadian Department 4. See BC Mineral Titles EPA Region 10, February 18, 2005. of Foreign Affairs, July 6, 2004. Online site at www.mtonline.gov. 10. Letter from DFO Minister 18. CBC Radio transcript, bc.ca/ and attached maps. Geoff Regan, in response to Petition February 9, 2005. 5. Article IV of the Boundary 95A from the Society for Atlin’s 19. Email from Herb Waters Treaty says “waters flowing Sustainable Economic Initiatives, Klassen (DFO) to Nola Poirier across the boundary shall not be February 11, 2004 (Transboundary Watershed polluted on either side to the injury 11. Press release, Canarc Alliance), April 18, 2006. of health or property on the other.” Resource Corporation, January 12, 20. Press release, Redcorp In the Habitat and Restoration 2005. Ventures, May 17, 2005. portion (Attachment E) of Annex 4 12. See BC Mineral Titles 21. See www.roundriver.org/ of the 1985 Pacific Salmon Treaty Online site at www.mtonline.gov. trt_conservation_main.html. 26 Canada and the other signatories bc.ca/ and attached maps. 22. Joint press release, Douglas agreed to: “protect … habitat so 13. Mineral exploration over Indian Association and Taku River as to promote safe passage of adult the border, Rishel, John, Alaska Tlingit First Nation, February 9, and juvenile salmon and achieve Business Monthly. November 1993. 2005. Environmental Concerns & Issues Oil Exploration & Industry Maintaining The Environmental Stewardship of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Reviewed by: Rhea DoBosh, Information Officer, Joint Pipeline Office in Anchorage, Alaska

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is known the world over as one of the most significant achievements in engineering during the last thirty years. Since its incep- tion, the pipeline has influenced and altered the physical, social, political, and economic landscape of Alaska. Nowhere has this impact been felt more greatly than with its indigenous peoples. When oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay in 1968, the concept of a pipeline carrying oil down to a marine terminal in Valdez was born. There were major challenges facing the construction of such a pipeline Gene Gene Ferguson beginning with the location. The pipeline begins in Prudhoe Bay 27 which is located north of the Arctic corridor. The settlement terms impacts were equally evaluated. Circle with temperatures ranging included Alaska Natives receiving Unique considerations included from –115° F (including the wind 40 million acres and approximately subsistence harvest areas. Some chill factor) in the winter up to one billion dollars. areas of Alaska, notably the interior 70°F in the summer. Other major By 2004, the TAPS Federal and western areas where subsistence construction challenges included Grant and State Lease had been activities provide more than 50 diverse terrain in a highly active renewed. The environmental percent of the residents’ daily nutri- seismic region, major river cross- impact statement that was required tional requirement were examined ings, and permafrost (i.e., frozen in the renewal process contained for potential impact. ground). pipeline historical data. Since 1977, The Bureau of Land There were Alaska Natives who the pipeline has been in continu- Management and State of Alaska, filed protests with the Department ous operation. Under regulatory through the Joint Pipeline Office of the Interior to the transfer of control, the pipeline effects on the (JPO), were both required to work lands along the proposed pipeline physical environment, the land, through the government-to-govern- corridor, effectively blocking air quality, and water quality are ment relationship with the Alaska construction of the pipeline. The familiar. Much of the environmen- Native Tribes. The JPO developed pipeline owners negotiated with tal data that was considered was a government-to-government Alaska Natives living along the extrapolated from prior experi- relationship protocol, identified corridor route, promising jobs ence. The pipeline was basically affected tribes, and laid out a and contracting opportunities expected to continue without process and communication throughout the life of the pipeline significant change, and any changes plan. Public meetings in exchange for lifting the protests that did occur were estimated to were conducted they had filed with the Department. be limited and manageable. Some through the Alaska The Alaska Claims Settlement of the biological resources evalu- Administrative Act of 1971 resolved many land ated included vegetation, wetlands, Order issues along the proposed pipeline fish, birds, terrestrials, and marine mammals. Social and economic Environmental Concerns & Issues Oil Exploration & Industry

No. 186 and Executive Order 13175. Quick facts about the pipeline: After a lengthy renewal and • The pipeline covers over 800 miles. approval process, the State Lease of Right-of-Way and Federal • The pipeline measures 48 inches wide, is Agreement and Grant were elevated above ground for 420 miles, and is renewed for another 30 years until buried for the next 380 miles. 2034 to the owners of the TAPS. Recent events including disrup- • The pipeline crosses three mountain ranges tion of oil production in the Gulf and more than 800 rivers and streams. of Mexico and world competition for energy have once again raised • Construction was completed in just over two the need to examine domestic years (March 1975 - May 1977). sources of energy and alternate sources of energy. TAPS’ impor- • More than 14 billion barrels of oil have moved tance is underscored as it transports through the pipeline. approximately 15 percent of the nation’s crude oil production. • There are approximately 579 animal crossings In order to continue with the along the pipeline. pipeline’s relative success for the next 30 years, it is in everyone’s Strategic The overall effect of recon- interest that the operation of the Reconfiguration (SR) figuration is expected to benefit pipeline continues to protect the The SR project represents the environment. According to environment and safeguards public the most recent environmental 28 the single biggest pipeline invest- health. Only then can economic ment since construction of the assessment released by the Bureau vitality be ensured for all of Alaska’s TAPS. The upgrade will replace of Land Management, pump inhabitants. As we continue to 30-year-old pump and control station electrification will reduce explore and develop new energy systems with state-of-the-art air emissions by two-thirds, elimi- sources, it is prudent to prevent modern systems that are easier nate pump station fuel hauling pollution in the first place. In the and less expensive to operate and and storage risks, and reduce the long term, this will be the most maintain. environmental impact of day-to- cost effective route. day Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (TAPS management company) operations, such as noise and wastewater handling. The following are some of the major environmental concerns involving the pipeline. Spills Spills are a major concern as they can cover large areas and can, in some cases, cause extensive irrep- arable damage to the ecosystem. Spills are difficult to clean-up and the impact to all the inhabitants may not be known until years later. Clean-up costs can be staggering. One of the most famous spills not directly associated with the pipeline was the famous 1989 Valdez Spill, Photo used under permission by Dave Perez, JPO. Environmental Concerns & Issues Oil Exploration & Industry

which was caused by a supertanker. the pipeline and sensitive equipment withstand seismic activity. TAPS The spill resulted in 11 million and pump stations. The right-of-way has experienced many earthquakes, gallons of oil being dumped into is regularly monitored and brushing including one with a magnitude of Prince William Sound. The legal is performed to keep foliage away 7.9. During all earthquake events, settlement in 1991 exceeded $800 from the pipeline and valves. Special the system acted as designed with million. Because certain wildlife wrapping and insulation resistant minimal damage. species have not recovered since the to fire was applied to the pipeline All of these concerns underscore 29 spill, additional claims may still be and equipment. TAPS has been “in the need to ensure the environ- forthcoming. the line of fire” many times over the mental stewardship of the pipeline. years with minimal damage. This will require, among other Leaks things, effective governmental Leaks are a concern because, Aging/Maintenance oversight through proper monitor- depending upon their size, they The pipeline is now over 25 ing, compliance with current can go undetected and over time years old and there are concerns environmental requirements, and can evolve into larger problems. regarding corrosion and the following state-of-the-art techni- Timely response is critical to detect increased need for maintenance and cal requirements and guidelines. and correct a leak. There have been repairs. Corrosion can cause leaks Oversight performed by the several spills through the pipeline's throughout the system. Federal/State Joint Pipeline Office history and vigilance needs to also can greatly assist compliance Sabotage continue to assure that leaks are and demonstrate governmental Adverse actions can damage detected quickly. cooperation. Only then can many the integrity of the pipeline and of the environmental concerns and Fires result in environmental damage. A risks be significantly reduced over 6.7 million acres of interior recent example of this was in 2001, the next 30 years. For more infor- Alaska land burned in the summer when a person shot a bullet into the mation on the Joint Pipeline Office, of 2004, the result of 736 fires. pipeline causing a major oil spill. please visit www.jpo.doi.gov. JPO monitored TAPS closely in More than 277,000 gallons of oil those areas affected by fire. Pipeline were spilled over 36 hours in the throughput was not affected and spruce forest that surrounded the only very minor repairs, which were pipeline. performed during regular maintenance activities, were needed. TAPS Natural Events original design considered the inevi- (Earthquakes) tability of fires in many locations. The unique zig zag pattern Several steps were taken to protect of the pipeline was designed to Environmental Concerns & Issues Solid Waste & Open Dumps The Challenge This article has been reprinted with permission from Janice Johnson, EPA Tribal Waste Journal Creative Director. “The Challenge” originally was published in the EPA Tribal Waste Journal, Issue 3, February 2004 (EPA530-N-03-0005).

The word “Alaska” conjures leaders throughout Alaska are ◗◗ A remote location makes images of tundra, rugged terrain, working to secure services that are shipping (back-hauling) waste and harsh conditions. This stereo- critical to the health and safety of difficult and expensive. type, however, doesn’t pay tribute their people. Proper solid waste ◗◗ Permitted land-fills are more to the state’s diversity. Alaska is management ranks near the top of expensive to build and maintain one-third the size of the continental the list. than open dumps. United States and is divided into Many Alaska Native villages ◗◗ Burning waste reduces waste five unique climate zones. Alaska do not have the funding, techni- volume, but concentrates toxic Natives are as diverse as the climate cal expertise, staff, or equipment materials and produces harmful and topography of the state, from required to close open dumps, or smoke. the Sugpiaq Aleuts of the Alaskan ensure safe disposal of solid wastes. The villages featured in this peninsula to the Inupiat, Yup’ik, Common difficulties associated issue of the Tribal Waste Journal and Siberian Eskimos of the Bering with solid waste management in have overcome some of these Sea and Arctic Ocean coasts to Alaska Native villages include: common obstacles through creativ- the Athabascan people of the ◗◗ Residents dispose of plastic, ity, persistence, and partnerships. interior to the Tlingits, Haidas, and metal, and paper waste. Tsimshians of the southeast coast. Although there are hundreds of Alaska Native villages, and 30 each village has a unique culture and history, Alaska Natives are united in their quest for funding, recognition, and social justice. Raven Sheldon of Selawik Village believes, “Everyone is entitled to basic services. The tribes up here are 3, 4, or even 5 years behind tribes in the lower 48 states when it comes to being able to provide basic services for members.” Tribal

“I want the people who read this issue of the Tribal Waste Journal to understand the big picture. I want to open peoples’ eyes and focus more attention on Alaska. Federal agencies should send representatives to visit Alaska villages to gain a better understanding of our situation. Tribes up here are being overlooked.” —Raven Sheldon, Selawik Village Environmental Concerns & Issues Solid Waste & Open Dumps

Environmental trainers gave more dependent on durable goods lates quickly villagers the tools to tap into the such as snowmobiles and appli- through sandy leadership and creative potential ances. soils and ocean winds of the community. Partnerships There are five distinct climate blow plastic bags and enabled them to leverage private, zones in Alaska—arctic, interior, other waste onto the tundra. state, and federal resources to west coast, south-central, and Unlike Selawik and St. Paul achieve community goals. maritime (which is further subdi- Island, Chilkat Indian Village is vided into western maritime and located in southeast Alaska on Considering Culture and eastern maritime). Each climate permeable silt soil rather than Climate zone has specific temperature tundra or sand. While Chilkat’s Villages interviewed are working and precipitation patterns. These environmental planner does not to implement solid waste manage- patterns, along with differences need to worry about protecting ment practices that are compatible in underlying bedrock, produce permafrost, she must consider the with the local environment and characteristic soils and vegetation impacts of the village landfill on culture. For thousands of years, patterns, from grassland tundra in a nearby river. Leachate from the Alaska Natives lived subsistence the arctic to temperate rainforest in landfill could potentially move lifestyles, hunting and gathering to the southeast. Solid waste manage- through the silt soil into Chilkat survive and producing very little ment solutions must be compat- River. waste. Rosalie Kalistook, environ- ible with, among other factors, the mental planner for the Association distinct climate and soils of each of Village Council Presidents village. “Alaska has five distinct explains, “In the past, people did Tundra dominates the west coast regions with different cultures not generate a lot of trash. Any and arctic regions of Alaska, where and climates. You can’t develop garbage they produced came from a thin layer of soil rests on top of a single solid waste manage- the land. They used to bury bones permafrost, a permanently frozen ment plan for every community 31 from terrestrial animals under layer of ground. Open dumps and in Alaska because each commu- the ground, giving them back to landfills can exert pressure on the nity is unique.” Mother Nature.” The biodegrad- permafrost and cause it to melt. As —Patricia Warren, environ- able nature of the waste stream the permafrost melts, the ground mental planner, Chilkat Indian changed as nomadic tribes assumed begins to sink. Some villages have Village a sedentary lifestyle, and Alaska discovered disposal options that Natives began to consume outside preserve the tundra, which is goods. Villages are inundated with not resilient once damaged. For For more information or to plastic, metal, and paper goods and example, Selawik is planning to obtain a copy of the EPA Tribal packaging, but most of them do build above ground disposal areas Waste Journal, please contact Janice not export waste. This change in surrounded by berms and fill them Johnson, EPA Tribal Waste Journal lifestyle has created waste manage- with special storage bags to prevent Creative Director, at 703.308.7280 ment problems that did not exist in waste and leachate from disturbing or [email protected] or visit the past. the tundra. www.epa.gov/tribalmsw. Some Alaska Natives, such as Solid waste management the Athabascans, were traditionally planners for St. Paul Island must highly mobile. According to Roy take into consideration sandy shore- Andrew of Kokhanok, “Between lines in addition to a treeless tundra 1955 and 1963, our people gave up interior. Residents are working the nomadic life style and settled to open a new landfill and close in Kokhanok permanently.” As a an old one, which is located in a result, community members became sand dune. Landfill leachate perco- Environmental Concerns & Issues Solid Waste & Open Dumps The Tundra Bag Concept Bill Stokes, 7 Generations Environmental Consultants

Byline articles and interviews villages). There represent the opinions and views of are two Tundra contributors and are not necessar- Bag sizes and both ily those of the U.S. Environmental bags use the same Protection Agency. basic technology. The solid waste Village dumps have long been is placed in the a serious environmental problem top of the Tundra for all of Alaska’s rural villages, Bag and, when especially tundra villages. The very full, the top is nature of permafrost soil makes pulled together landfill, and during the winter, the conventional landfill cell design all and tied with a knot. A plastic clip snow machine sled would allow but impossible for these villages. As allows the loops on the corners of the Tundra Bag to be transported there is no reasonable alternative, the Tundra Bag to be connected to the landfill. Additional frames the solid waste generated by the together so the Tundra Bags can and “Dump Truck” Tundra Bags villages is dumped onto the tundra form a berm and do not roll in the can be placed at the village landfill or open burned in place. wind. for those that want to transport Some villages are using The open dump “Cleanup” bag their own solid waste. As no polypropylene “super sacks” as an is a four foot cube bag that will site preparation is necessary, the alternative to open dumping with contain almost two cubic yards of landfill can be placed wherever the 32 limited success. The super sack solid waste and is designed to be village decides is the best location very successfully serves as a solid filled “in place” during a village and meets Alaska Department waste collection and transporta- dump cleanup. The première of Environmental Conservation tion method. Unfortunately, the design would be to use the regulations for Class III landfills. polypropylene bags degrade in “Cleanup” bags to build a berm There will need to be some UV (ultraviolet) light, and the around the perimeter of the old solid waste source separation at the solid waste is again exposed to the dump, thus creating a landfill cell. villages for this technology to work. environment. The “Dump Truck” bag is a Best practices would encourage that After more than 10 years smaller tundra bag that is designed all of the solid waste be placed in of research and development, a to be transported from the village garbage sacks before being placed unique woven fiberglass fabric to the landfill cell. This Tundra Bag in the Tundra Bag. Hazardous was fashioned called Tundra Teck. hangs on a steel pipe frame that is waste and medical wastes should This woven fiberglass fabric is UV bolted to the floor of an ATV trailer never be taken to the landfill. immune and will withstand the or snow machine sled. The “Dump Heavy, sharp metal and broken rigors of Alaska’s harsh climate. For Truck” bag is three feet square, four glass may create problems during the first time, a village-based solid feet high, and will contain a little dragging of the Tundra Bag at the waste collection and transportation more than one cubic yard of solid landfill. system, and creation of an above- waste. The “Dump Truck” Tundra As Tundra Bags are at the ground landfill cell is possible. Bag is designed so that the village cutting edge of village solid waste The Tundra Bag is designed solid waste technician can fill the technology, there will be a learning around three main concepts: bag in the village, transport it to curve to develop “best practices” creating an above-ground landfill the landfill, unhook the bag from for their use. However, this is much cell technology; providing a viable the frame, tie the top closed, pull preferred to the open dump technol- alternative to open burning of it from the frame, and drag it into ogy that the villages use now. solid waste; and, creating a cottage place in the landfill cell. industry for the villages (the During the summer, the board- Tundra Bags could be made in the walk would be used to access the Environmental Concerns & Issues Solid Waste & Open Dumps Awareness and Action: Village Based Solid Waste Management Solutions and EPA Joe Sarcone, Rural Sanitation Coordinator U.S. EPA Region 10, Alaska Operations Office

Through the years, rural Health Consortium (ANTHC), success with such efforts. sanitation conditions in Alaska Solid Waste Management The opportunities for reaching villages have often been compared Demonstration Projects, the annual recycling markets from rural Alaska to conditions in third world ANTHC Tribal Environmental are very limited with few exceptions countries. Today, approximately Management Conference, programs including aluminum can recycling. 15-20 percent of the households offered through the Yukon River Village environmental program in rural Alaska remain unserved by Inter-Tribal Watershed Council staff work with the Alaskans for piped water and sewer systems or (YRITWC), and Central Council Litter Prevention and Recycling an equivalent technology. In the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of (ALPAR) Flying Cans Program to majority of villages, the solid waste Alaska (including the much utilized back haul aluminum to recycling disposal site is an uncontrolled, Solid Waste Alaska Network, www. centers in larger cities. In 10 years, intermittently burning, open dump CCTHITA-SWAN.org). These Raven Ameri-Corps members site, in many instances located close programs continue to be funded, successfully removed more than to the village, and often in an area in large part, by EPA, but the work 200,000 pounds of aluminum from of free standing water or flooding. of getting things done with these villages to recycling destinations. The context in which these resources happens in the villages. Appropriate technologies for conditions persist is complex. Solid waste management reducing waste volume have been Variables that influence a village’s efforts in the village have primar- difficult to identify due in large capability to address issues of ily focused on two areas: the part to limited revenue within the 33 health and the environment are separation and proper disposal of village to support the operations. many and include socio-economic, hazardous and potentially hazard- The most commonly used low-cost political, cultural, and environmen- ous waste, and reductions in the technology is the burn box. Burn tal considerations. There is positive volume of waste going to the dump box designs vary, but they are change in protecting human health site. In the village waste stream, generally regarded as low-efficiency and the environment where there is the two commonly disposed of incinerators that can provide more village-level awareness and action. wastes identified as potentially control of the burning process than In the past decade, environmen- hazardous to human health and the open burning. Burn boxes offer tal awareness among residents of environment are used oil and lead an incremental improvement in villages in Alaska has dramatically acid batteries. More than a dozen protection to human health and the increased in large part due to two villages have purchased and now environment in relation to open programs, the EPA-Indian General operate used-oil heat recovery units burning, but remain an intermedi- Assistance Program (IGAP) and resulting in considerable power ate solution for solid waste manage- the RuralCAP, Raven Ameri-Corps costs savings in remote locations ment in villages. Other technolo- program. The village environ- where energy costs are extraordi- gies that are being introduced to mental program supervisors and narily high. Many village environ- villages include more efficient staff supported by these programs mental programs have organized burn box designs, moderately sized translate newly acquired knowledge lead-acid battery collection and proper incineration units, and and skills into actions that not only back haul through barge companies baler facilities. protect the environment but also and air carriers. In the past 10 empower Tribal governance. These years, Raven Ameri-Corps members resources are leveraged by a number successfully removed more than of other projects and programs 300,000 pounds of lead-acid including: the 7 Generations batteries from villages to battery Environmental Assessment recycling destinations. Other Training, the Alaska Native Tribal programs have experienced similar Environmental Concerns & Issues Solid Waste & Open Dumps Health Risks Associated with Waste Practices in Alaska Native Villages Lynn Zender, Ph.D., Zender Engineering

Byline articles and interviews activities and their associated values represent the opinions and views of and traditions are a dominant facet contributors and are not necessar- of Alaska Native life. As an indica- ily those of the U.S. Environmental tion of scale, in a survey of over Protection Agency. 100 villages, hunting or fishing was reported to take place in the Rural Alaska tribes face unique vicinity of the dump in 45 percent and challenging circumstances on of the villages. many fronts, including their waste It is well documented that management situation. Of the subsistence food intake is vital nearly 200 rural tribes not accessible to maintaining individual rural by road, about ninety-five percent Alaska Native health, as well as have unlined open dumps that are community socio-cultural health. typically unmanaged, unfenced, and In tribal communities, perhaps unconsolidated. Due to the extreme of greater concern than physical transportation and weather logistics, exposure to dump site contami- backhauling wastes to regional facil- nants is the residents’ concern lack of soil, a mere 6 percent of ities is not possible, and would cost that the dump sites are impact- villages apply cover material to households in these small villages ing their subsistence activities. In control vectors and minimize 34 several hundred dollars each month. 2000-2001, the Central Council of human-waste contact. At about 55 What is in these dumps? The Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of percent of dumps, users must walk dumps contain every waste that Alaska sponsored a state-wide solid on top of garbage to unload wastes. is generated in the village, includ- waste management project which Additionally, with the absence of ing hazardous wastes of all types, included a 110 village survey. In hardware stores, dumpsites are used vehicles, and construction wastes. this survey (discussed in more detail by some residents in about half of In at least 30 percent of the villages, below), 64 percent of residents from the villages to salvage parts. some to all honeybucket wastes disparate village situations reported Beyond exposure via the use (i.e., undiluted feces and urine altering their subsistence activities of the dumpsite, other unsanitary typically in tied-up plastic bags) are due to their fears of off-site contam- practices that are prevalent include; discarded at the site. Alternatively, ination. tracking contaminants or patho- garbage is discarded at the adjacent Contaminated water is another gens in town, eating or touching honeybucket disposal site, creating concern because of the common, contaminated foods, hunting in an expanded problem area. if not predominant, rural Alaska contaminated areas, and inhalation These open dumps are often practice of using untreated water or other exposure to smoke or ash located in low-lying tundra areas, sources for drinking and other from open burning wastes at the with direct hydrological connection household uses. Alaska Natives’ dump or in home burn barrels. to adjacent rivers and ponds. Fifty- heavy use of untreated water and Seventy-two percent of dumps were six percent of dumps are seasonally local subsistence foods strongly self-reported to be within one mile flooded. Some contamination of indicates a proportionately higher of homes, and at least 30 percent land and water from dump leachate overall contaminant exposure within one-quarter mile. Yet, or runoff is expected. Such a situa- from open dumps than would be burnboxes or dump fires are used in tion is problematic because Alaska expected for virtually any other up to 73 percent of Alaska villages. tribes retain a subsistence lifestyle. U.S. population group. Over 61 percent of residents in the Hunting, fishing, and gathering Exposure to dump site contami- 2001 health study reported being from the local environment provide nants is possible via a number of regularly bothered by dump odors the dietary mainstays. Subsistence routes. Due to lack of staff and/or or smoke during the course of Environmental Concerns & Issues Solid Waste & Open Dumps everyday activities. Open burning for waste management is permitted in rural Alaska. However, it would occur regardless of permission because many villages, if not most, lack heavy equipment, cover material, dry land, and/or operational monies. Without burning, their dump would expand into the river or town within a matter of months to a few years. Note, in the absence of roads, sites cannot be simply relocated. Historically, it has been difficult to quantitatively identify physical health risks posed to native villages because the population size is too small for statistically significant ence symptoms. Residents did not 2004 study examined over 10,000 results. However, two recent epide- need to visit the dump to be at records for babies born during miological studies have specifi- increased risk. People living closer 1997-2001 in 197 rural Alaska cally addressed Alaska village open than one mile to their dump were Native villages, along with village dumps. Both studies generated 19 times more likely to have eye dump rankings for overall dump significant associations between irritation and three to four times hazard condition and hazardous health and poor waste conditions. more likely to have headaches and/ content. A number of other risk 35 The previously mentioned or faintness. factors including age of mother, 2000-2001 solid waste manage- To avoid visiting the dump, cigarette use, prenatal care, village ment project included a 110 village residents in at least 66 percent of plumbing, and economic status, comprehensive self-report survey, villages burn waste just outside were accounted for. from which the descriptive statis- their home, typically in 55-gallon ◗◗ Differences were not found tics described in this article are drums. For a proxy measure of in the number of pre-term taken. In conjunction, increases in exposure to this smoke, residents' births, stillbirths, babies who health symptoms associated with waste burning habits were were classified as very-low birth a number of surrogate exposure examined. Residents who burned weight, or babies who were factors (such as dumpsite use and were five to 17 times more likely considered small for their gesta- home distance from the dump), to feel faint, and almost five to tional age. were evaluated in four pilot villages. ten times more likely to develop ◗◗ However, babies registered to The household surveys, which were numbness. The risks increased the mothers from villages with based on other dump site health more often people burned. Home high hazard dumps were about effect studies, included questions barrel burners were much more two to four times more likely related to general immune function likely than other residents to have to be low-birth weight (about (e.g., headache, nausea, eye irrita- developed rashes, and were at a 55 grams less) than babies tion, etc.), and household solid significantly increased risk for a from villages with lower hazard waste management and subsistence variety of other symptoms includ- rankings, with pregnancies practices. ing fever, sore throat, and cough. lasting on average 1.2 days Remarkably, people who visited In contaminated areas, one of less. their dump were 2 to 3.7 times the first negative effects can be ◗◗ Babies registered more likely to experience faintness, reproductive system problems. from villages fever, vomiting, stomach pain, ear Studies have found increases in that had and eye irritation, headache, and negative birth outcomes near numbness. Those who visited more contaminated areas. Thus, as a often were more likely to experi- follow-up to the 2001 study, a Environmental Concerns & Issues Solid Waste & Open Dumps

dumps with highly hazardous ties where expansion of the town ment decisions: Which practices contents were about 4.3 times footprint or relocation of the dump specific to Alaska villages are most more likely to have certain birth is not possible (as there are no hazardous? How hazardous are they defects. Additionally, a statisti- roads), these are not straightforward compared to alternatives? What cal indication for all birth defect questions, and stricter regulations wastes would make a true difference categories was found, with the without appropriately formed and separated from the wastestream? estimates similar to significant funded assistance would be, at best, How close can homes be built to a associations found in other fruitless. For example, the tradeoff dump site? How close can berries be studies on maternal populations between unhealthy smoke exposure picked? Are there significant differ- living near open dump sites in versus degradation of subsistence ences in health risks between the developing countries. grounds, or versus expansion of the various open burning units being dump onto the last usable dry land used? With this information, tribes The issue of risks to rural Alaska for homes, is a decision that only are empowered to best protect the Natives from waste management the tribe can make. In the case of community, while searching for facilities and practices is complex, smoke exposure, community short- resources that will provide improved and a solution is being sought by term health can suffer. In the other protection from waste risks in the a wide variety of agencies, tribal cases, community integrity can future. groups, and non-profits. With the suffer. Losing traditions can divide For more information on waste complex weave of road-less village the generations. Without their management conditions and studies transportation and weather logis- own home, youth may move away, discussed here, contact Dr. Lynn tics, the paramount importance and the community could lose its Zender at lzender@zender-engr. and intransigence of a subsistence future. net or visit the Solid Waste Alaska lifestyle, diverse governmental It is now possible to define the Network at www.ccthita-swan.org. relationships, policy trends, local health risks faced by villages in Dr. Zender also may provide full 36 capacity, and funding availability, such a way that the definitions can references for the materials present- whatever the solution is, it is at be used in making waste manage- ed in this article upon request. least a decade off. In communi- Environmental Concerns & Issues Toxic Contaminants Snake in the Sand Steve Johnson, DoD Lands Investigator for Sitka Tribe of Alaska

Byline articles and interviews add a little air to our dry suits, represent the opinions and views of don our fins, check our tanks and contributors and are not necessar- prepare for the journey below. It ily those of the U.S. Environmental is a beautiful winter day, azure Protection Agency. skies and turquoise waters meet on the island-studded canvas. The Standing up on the deck of 41-degree water is warmer than the ocean tidal currents sway us about the 24-foot boat, it’s hard to 24-degree air. With a large splash as we sink to the bottom. Tiny picture 30,000 military personnel we roll off the side of the boat bubbles flow out of the breath- in the Northwest coast rainfor- into the frigid waters, and after a ing apparatus shimmering to the est of Sitka, Alaska. My dive moment of adjustment we descend surface. As we approach the 60-foot buddy, Jeromy Campbell and I into the deep. Light surges of the bottom, the white bottom sands

37 Environmental Concerns & Issues Toxic Contaminants

of Abalone Island come into focus, “We dug up a couple hundred (NALEMP), a US Department of through the darkness of the deep a yards on Kruzof Island. We burned Defense (DoD) program, to carry dark line appears on the sea floor, the outer layers off and put the metal out the clean up effort. Pat Roth, where it has rested for more than in a 17 gallon drum, the fire stunk the Corps’ Project Manager, while 60 years. The cable once connected really bad. We figured we’d better sell not diving with them, is also excited area military sites during WWII. what we had. The price per pound about the project. “This work the Firing Coordinates from radar was too low so, we quit” – a quote Sitka Tribe of Alaska is completing positions above once raced through from the late Al Perkins Jr. is a shining example of what can it to the heavy artillery at the other Back on the boat, deck happen when the Department of end. hand Jim Nielsen and skipper Defense and Tribes work together.” Bringing the cable back to the Ben Johnson stack the cable as Under NALEMP, much of the surface has its own set of challenges. Campbell and I shimmy over the control and management of the With a lift bag in hand, Campbell stern of the boat onto the back project funds are turned over to lassos around the cable and snaps deck. Climbing out of the water in the tribe that is being impacted by the bag on. With a shot of air a dry suit and fins takes a certain remnants of past military activity. in the bag the cable lifts off the finesse that resembles a seal sliding The tribe wins by managing the bottom, dancing in the current. up on the rocks. The lead cable is clean up that is in its own back We give a few tugs on the control cut into 30-foot sections and tied to yard; the DoD wins by having the line and the surface crew hauls the the gunnel rails of the boat. material removed. Both parties cable in. Miles of the lead, copper, The condition of the cable enjoy a new relationship of coopera- creosote, and hemp cable run from varies greatly depending on the tion and trust that hopefully will island to island, connecting more bottom composition and depth. last for many, many years. Back in the boat, Campbell and 38 than 30 defense sites in the Sitka Shallower objects tend to break area. The cable which lies across down quicker while the sections I switch air tanks and head back to critical marine habitat, is poised to lying deeper remained largely intact. the bottom for more salvage work. release thousands of pounds of lead The deeper you go, the less oxygen As we sink to the bottom, the clicks into the environment. is in the water. The amount of sand and thumps of ocean creatures flow To the Tlingit people of south- and gravel also play a role. Water across our eardrum through the eastern Alaska, hunting, fishing and sand blasting whittles the 1-1⁄2 inch static of exhaling bubbles. I can’t gathering is a way of life. Clams, thick coating into small threads help but be proud to know the abalone seaweed, and chitons of the while other areas bury it in silt. waters will be better off with each low tide are important food sources Once the creosote coating is peeled section we pull. for the people. For thousands of off, the salt water goes to work on The author, Steve Johnson is the years the bounty of the waters the steel armor and exposes the lead DoD Lands Investigator for Sitka and the woods have sustained the and copper. Tribe of Alaska. For more informa- Tlingit. Today tribal elders are With the sand and wave action, tion, please contact Steve Johnson concerned about the extra chemicals the cable has the potential to release at [email protected]. and metals creeping into the food massive amounts of lead into the chain. At the north end of town, pristine waters. a popular shotgun shooting range The tribe is taking cleanup in its recently passed a policy prohibiting own hands. Sitka Tribe of Alaska, lead shot. Previously, the fall out the federally recognized tribal from this range peppered the clam entity for Sitka, is in the process beaches with lead. Through the of removing the lead cable. The years, the lead has spread. The same cable will be shipped to Seattle for concern exists with the lead cable. recycling. The tribe works coopera- Over the years, a number of private tively with the US Army Corps individuals have salvaged sections of of Engineers and receives funding the cable, hoping to get rich from from the Native American Land metals recycling. Environmental Mitigation Program Environmental Concerns & Issues Toxic Contaminants Regional Efforts to Reduce Risks from the Insecticide Lindane Janice King Jensen, EPA Office of Pesticide Programs and Chair of the Lindane Task Force

What is lindane? Lindane is an organochlorine insecticide that has been widely used for decades. Over the last several years, however, countries around the world have been working to limit or phase out uses of lindane due to its persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulative nature. Lindane is the gamma isomer in a mixture of isomers of hexachlo- rocyclohexane (HCH). Lindane is the only isomer with insecticidal properties. How is lindane used in North America? In agriculture, lindane is used on ornamental plants and as a 39 soil and seed treatment to protect although Mexico has agreed to the circumpolar Arctic region who seeds and seedlings. However, these phase out this use. The Food and depend on subsistence foods, such uses are in the process of being Drug Administration (FDA) is as caribou, seal, and whale. phased out. In December 2004, responsible for the public health Canada deregistered all agricultural uses of lindane in the United States. What is being done to uses. In August 2006, the U.S. mitigate risks? Environmental Protection Agency What are the current To reduce exposure on a (EPA) announced the voluntary concerns? regional basis, Canada, Mexico, cancellation of the six remaining Lindane and other HCH and the United States, through the seed treatment uses of lindane, isomers are mobile in the environ- Commission for Environmental effective July 2007. Mexico has ment, and through long-range Cooperation (CEC), developed a agreed to phase out all agricultural atmospheric transport, are depos- North American Regional Action uses of lindane using a prioritized ited in the Arctic, where they have Plan (NARAP) on lindane and approach. been detected in the air, surface other HCH isomers. The action For veterinary purposes, lindane water, groundwater, sediment, soil, plan was signed in November 2006. is used to protect livestock from ice, snowpack, fish, wildlife, and The Lindane NARAP was ticks, fleas, and other insects. It is humans. developed by the lindane task force, no longer registered for these uses Studies in test animals show that with representatives from govern- in Canada or the United States. lindane and other HCH isomers ments and public stakeholders, Mexico has agreed to phase out have a wide variety of toxicological including indigenous groups, these uses. effects, including reproductive and the pesticide industry, In the public health sector, neurotoxic impairments. academia, and the lindane is regulated as a pharmaceu- In February 2006, EPA environmental tical drug and is used in shampoos published a risk assessment that public interest and creams to treat head lice and indicated potential risks from sector. scabies. It is currently registered dietary exposure to two HCH for these uses in all three countries, isomers in Alaska and others in Environmental Concerns & Issues Toxic Contaminants

A unique aspect of the task lindane to the Stockholm ◗◗ Strengthen outreach and educa- force was that it included an indig- Convention on Persistent Organic tion efforts enous representative from each Pollutants. ◗◗ Improve compliance and country. The Alaskan Inter-Tribal In the United States, EPA enforcement measures Council represented indigenous is in the process of cancelling ◗◗ Leverage additional resources interests for the United States. the remaining agricultural uses ◗◗ Engage the international The Alaskan Community Action of lindane. FDA will work with community in risk reduction on Toxics represented the U.S. pharmaceutical companies to facili- activities. environmental sector. tate the development of alternatives As an example of regional To solicit additional perspec- to lindane for the treatment of lice collaboration, the CEC sponsored tives, the lindane task force and scabies. The Indian Health an international workshop on alter- convened two public meetings. Service (IHS) reports that the use natives to lindane in Mexico City, The first was held in Guadalajara, of lindane for lice and scabies treat- Mexico in October 2005. Mexico, in September 2003. The ments has been reduced from 2.6 second was held in Anchorage, percent in 2004 to less than 0.1 Conclusion Alaska, in February 2004. percent in 2006, and that lindane Regional cooperation is a is only used as a second or third What further steps powerful means for reducing and line agent when other treatments eliminating environmental contam- are North American have failed. IHS will review lindane ination. Bringing together expertise countries taking? orders and follow up with facilities and resources throughout North In Canada, Health Canada will that ordered a substantial amount America enables Canada, Mexico, continue to monitor the pharma- of lindane to determine if use was and the United States to generate ceutical use of lindane and will warranted. actions that strengthen protection Building on each country’s 40 explore measures for addressing beyond borders. potential health and environmental individual regulatory activities, the risks. three countries will: Where to find addition- In Mexico, following a stake- ◗◗ Collect and share information al information? ◗ holder process, the government ◗ Focus on the development and On the Lindane NARAP: announced its commitment to use of sustainable alternatives www.cec.org/ ◗ phase out all uses of lindane, with ◗ Address waste management, On the Stockholm Convention timeframes under discussion. In trade, and science and research on POPs: www.pops.int July 2005, Mexico nominated needs

EPA’s TRI Provides Outlook on Toxic Chemicals in Alaska EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory using these data access tools, (TRI) program allows EPA, states, communities have more power and Tribes to annually collect data to hold companies accountable on releases, transfers, waste manage- and make informed decisions ment, and source reduction activi- about how toxic chemicals are to ties of certain toxic chemicals from be managed. For more informa- industrial facilities and to make tion about EPA’s TRI program, these data publicly available. EPA visit www.epa.gov/tri or contact compiles TRI data each year and TRI User Support Service at makes it available through several 202-566-0250. data access tools, including the TRI Public Data Release and State Fact Sheets publications and the TRI Explorer web-based tool. When “There have been lots of changes from the natural environment that used to here…and my goal is to maintain the beautiful land while keeping things pristine and clean.”

— Rhoda Moonin, Nanwalek

“I want this [Saint Lawrence Island] to be cleaned up before it is too late. It used to be a good hunting place–now people are scared to pick anything from there.”

— Annie Alowa, Savoonga “Gramma Sophie's redeeming qualities shine through and have a quiet, but commanding effect on all the generations following her muckluk steps. She raises her children and grandchildren well as we learn to share guard- ianship of these old ways, honor our ancestors, guide and feed our families, respect our neighbors, and enjoy life.”

— Excerpt from “Gramma Sophie” from Rose High Bear, granddaughter of the late Sophie VanderPoole, Alaskan Athabascan

Source: www.wisdomoftheelders.org Programs and Initiatives The Yukon River Contaminant Database La’ona Dewilde and D. Warden, the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council

Byline articles and interviews locations for areas of concern in techniques and reading the represent the opinions and views of villages such as: dumps, junk yards, on line maps. Volunteer partici- contribtors and are not necessar- military waste sites, sewage lagoons, pation in this program is integral ily those of the U.S. Environmental oil spills, and fuel storage sites. We to making this database a powerful Protection Agency. hope to have site locations for as tool for management, monitoring, many of the 72 communities in the development, remediation, and The Yukon River Watershed Yukon River Watershed as possible. grant writing activities. is the fourth largest watershed in The watershed council is in the Anyone with internet access North America. It encompasses over process of developing an interactive will be able to view the contami- 330,000 square miles and contains mapping website. People along the nants mapping project. Through The Yukon River, which at 1,980 river will be able to submit water this program, we hope to give the miles long is the third longest river quality monitoring data and infor- public an up-to-date snapshot of in North America. This northern mation regarding contaminated the contaminants in the Yukon treasure is home to 72 tribes in and land use sites to the watershed River Watershed. If you have Alaska and the Yukon Territory, council, and view the detailed questions or comments regarding Canada. Twenty-five percent of the maps we have created on line. this program, please contact La’ona tribes in Alaska depend upon the To facilitate participation in this DeWilde at (907) 456-1568 or Yukon River for their survival. Even program, watershed council staff e-mail: [email protected]. For though Alaska is the Last Frontier will meet with environmental tribal more information, please visit the with a seemingly pristine environ- technicians, students, and volun- YRITWC website at www.yritwc. ment, contaminants are found in teers in the villages to train them com. 43 many places throughout the water- in data collection and submission shed. Sources of contamination include oil spills, military operations, mining operations, leaking sewage lagoons, and nuclear waste. In 1997, tribal leaders held a meeting in Galena to discuss the concerns of the area’s inhabitants who noticed changes and anoma- lies in their food. During that meeting, the Yukon River Inter- Tribal Watershed Council (hereafter referred to as the watershed council) was formed with the mission: “to be able to drink from the river in 50 years.” One of the ways we are working to reach that goal is to implement the Contaminants Identification and Tracking Program. The watershed council contaminant mapping program is now underway. To date, we have mapped contaminated sites in 27 villages. Our goal is to continue updating the database until we have site Programs and Initiatives Resources and Tools

Living in a rural Alaska native landfill inspection forms, as well as presents the potential environ- village poses unique environmen- funding resources. mental impacts of the operations tal problems not encountered The manual was produced and activities, and identifies the in other communities. Some of by Susanne Unger, an environ- environmental requirements they these problems include: the neces- mental outreach specialist from must meet. Information includes, sity of honey buckets, the lack of the Chugachmiut, and was but is not limited to, pollution roads to remote locations, extreme supported by the U.S. EPA and prevention techniques, compli- weather conditions, and landfills the State of Alaska Department of ance and technical assistance, and on frozen ground, just to name a Environmental Conservation in financial resources. This document few. Numerous resource documents Chagachmiut. Copies of the manual is a must have reference on a and tools have been developed to may be obtained from the Alaska variety of environmental topics and aide communities in identifying Department of Environmental issues. For more information on and prioritizing their environmen- Conservation, Division of Statewide this guidance document, contact tal issues. Two such resources are Public Service, Rural Issues Jonathan Binder at 202-564-2516 discussed below. Program, located in Anchorage, or [email protected]. The A resource manual entitled The Alaska. Contact the program staff Profile is available at www.epa.gov/ Seven Generations- Addressing toll free at 1-800-510-2332. compliance/resources/publications/ Village Environmental Issues for The Profile of Tribal assistance/sectors/notebooks/tribal. the Future Generations of Rural Government Operations is a plain html or by calling 1-800-490-9198 Alaska was developed to help the language guide that provides an and asking for the Profile of 44 people in rural Alaska improve overview of many tribal govern- Tribal Government Operations, the environmental health condi- ment operations and activities, EPA Document number: tions within their communities. EPA/310-R-05-001. The manual is divided into three separate sections. Section 1 covers aspects of the environmental assessment and planning processes. Section 2 covers environmental assessment surveys. Some of the issues covered in the villager planning survey are: safe drinking water, abandoned vehicles and drums, beach or river bank erosion, village dump/landfill, construction materials left by contractors, raw sewage spills/sewage disposal, annual clean-up, indoor air pollution, outdoor air pollution, fuel oil contaminated soils, fish and animal carcasses left in villages, trash left out in open village space, contaminated subsistence foods, old military sites, and hazardous/toxic materials. Section 3 of the manual contains resources, such as examples of environmental planning surveys, environmental workplans, and “To survive, we must gather. We gather the eggs, the greens, the roots, the berries. We gather the fish and we must gather the animals that we use. We also gather our strength. We gather our courage and our knowledge. We gather the spirits. We gather our families and our friends. We gather our people. We gather the wood for our fires and houses. We gather the herbs that keep us healthy. We gather the stories of the present and keep those with the stories of our past. This helps us gather the days of the future into the present. We are the gatherers. This is the way of the human beings.” —Excerpt from “The Gathering Song” from Alaskan Yup’ik storyteller, Jack Dalton

Source: www.wisdomoftheelders.org Success Stories Renewable Energy, The Alaskan Tribal Experience Brian H. Hirsch, Ph.D.

Byline articles and interviews Wind Development and produce ice in the summer represent the opinions and views of From the Ground Up months for value-added processing contributors and are not necessar- The Bristol Bay region of Alaska of fish, according to Bob Kramer, ily those of the U.S. Environmental is famed for the largest wild sockeye President of SECAP and the utility Protection Agency. salmon runs in the world, but the operator for Pilot Point. “Our global price drop caused by salmon economies and people are hurting, Daily life in remote Alaskan farming elsewhere and high diesel and wind power can help us hold communities, from harvesting tradi- costs has these commercial fishing on to more of the value of our fish. tional foods to producing electricity communities reeling. Wind can also help us hold down from expensive and dirty diesel fuel, While some villages have liter- electricity rates and maintain our is more like a third world country ally shut down and residents moved clean environment,” says Kramer. than the “lower 48” United States. to Anchorage and elsewhere, five of The grassroots approach and While electricity costs roughly the communities on the southern community involvement, which 10 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) Alaska Peninsula decided that their includes local energy education and in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, best response may be blowing in employing village youth to help it costs more than 60 cents per the wind. The communities, all with the projects, is particularly kWh in some Alaska villages, and predominately indigenous Aleut, appealing to many, though it has gasoline is now rocketing past Yupik, and/or Aluutiq with popula- resulted in less funding and smaller $6 per gallon. There are several tions hovering around 100, are projects than some of the other reasons for this, including high fuel Egegik, Pilot Point, Ugashik, Port high profile efforts across the state. 46 delivery and storage costs in remote Heiden, and Chignik Bay. But with other communities in the areas and low efficiencies and high Over three years ago they region expressing interest in joining maintenance costs for diesel genera- all joined forces to form the SECAP and ongoing success of the tors in general. The true cost of Sustainable Energy Council of the organization, government officials diesel-produced electricity in Alaska Alaska Peninsula (SECAP). In short and private funders are taking villages is even more, since fuel order they pooled resources, held notice of the innovative group and storage tanks are highly subsidized meetings in each community, and their fresh approach to community and environmental impacts are not created a multi-village organiza- development. factored into the market price. tional structure that includes each Harnessing the Midnight This economic reality, and community’s Tribal Council, electric environmental nightmare, has led utility, and city government, along Sun many to look at renewable energy with technical assistance providers Far from the windy west coast of options, such as wind and solar and other regional stakeholders. Alaska, the indigenous Athabascan power, as possible alternatives to On the ground, they have communities of Arctic Village, diesel fuel for electricity production already installed two 10 kW wind Venetie, and Chickaloon are using in remote areas. turbines in two different communi- the sun’s rays to produce electric- In Alaska, there are several ties and wind monitoring towers ity directly from photovoltaic (PV) ongoing efforts to capture the wind to determine project feasibility in panels. and/or sun to produce clean, and two other communities. Ongoing All of these communities are hopefully cheaper, electricity, thus projects, in part funded with EPA located in the interior region of reducing the need for diesel fuel. support, include solar photovoltaics Alaska, nestled in river and mountain While there are many examples combined with a wind turbine to valleys, sheltered from strong winds. of renewable energy use through- power a community building and But the sun shines there more out Alaska, this article focuses on additional wind turbines. regularly than coastal areas that tribally owned projects. The overall plan is to use wind are often shrouded in fog. These power to reduce diesel use and Athabascan communities are now electricity costs throughout the year turning the sun into kilowatt-hours. Success Stories

Of course there are a few construct an above-ground founda- ulum for the months each year, namely late tion to avoid disturbing or melting solar PV system November through early February, the permafrost soils. is an evolving effort when the PV panels are nothing Chickaloon Village’s 2.2 kW that demonstrates how more than dark, expensive snow tracking PV system, which began the tribe and the school collectors. But for the rest of the production in late 2004, provides are merging traditions such as year the panels make up for it and, power to their award-winning Tribal living with the seasons and only in fact, work better in the cold School, and will be the focus of an taking what you need with modern (about a 15 percent efficiency gain energy curriculum for the entire technology such as solar panels and because of lowered heat resistance), community. “We’ve been looking computer-based data collection and and get an added boost from snow- into renewable energy for some analysis. reflected sunlight in the spring and time, and we’re very excited about All three solar projects are early winter. this solar project. This is just the owned and managed by Alaska What makes all of these projects beginning of a long-term develop- Native Tribes. Since the PV systems even more unique is the use of ment plan that includes hydrogen are much smaller and less expensive a customized “dual-axis tracking and fuel cells along with solar and than the wind turbines discussed system” that rotates the PV panels hydropower,” said Chickaloon above, projects can be started to follow the sun as it moves Chief Gary Harrison. with much less money up-front. across the sky. In the far north, Chickaloon Village’s school PV systems are also well-suited such tracking systems signifi- won an Honoring Nations award for individual homes, cabins, and cantly increase power production as from Harvard University for their hunting camps, and can be added compared to stationary PV panels innovative program that combines to incrementally as funding and because the sun moves so much traditional and academic subjects local capacity permits. across the horizon, especially in the from language to math. The curric- 47 summer months. “The solar tracking array has more than tripled our production. Even in the winter it has provided incredible energy savings for our community,” says Lance Whitwell, Energy Programs Manager for the Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government. “The fuel savings alone have more than paid for the cost of the system,” Whitwell adds. Venetie, population 250, has a 1.2 kW stationary and a 2.2 kW tracking PV system. The community has also developed an innovative heat recovery system that uses waste heat from its diesel generating plant to dry clothes in the village laundry facility, thus meeting almost 10 Beth USFWS, Jackson, Digital Library System percent of the entire village energy load with renewable energy and conservation in the summer months, according to Whitwell. In the very far-north Gwich’in communities of Arctic Village and Venetie, the tracking systems needed additional customizing to Success Stories The Indian General Assistance Program in Alaska – Success Stories from Alaska Adapted from The Indian General Assistance Program – Success Stories from Alaska U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, Alaska Office, October 2004

The General Assistance Through the GAP, our village the importance of the work that Program (GAP) increases commu- has been able to begin dealing with they do. nities’ ability to meet their environ- some of our solid-waste issues, Up until 20 years ago, all mental needs and encourages such as 8000+ pounds of lead-acid island activities were regulated partnerships between tribes and batteries and several buckets of and controlled by the Federal other entities. Capacity building is household batteries back-hauled, Government. Therefore, when the one goal of the GAP. To attain this 416 triple-rinsed fuel drums government pulled out and the goal, community members partici- back-hauled, and 500+ pounds fishing industry came in to fill the pate in training programs on topics of crushed aluminum cans that economic void, the tribal govern- such as hazardous waste operations, have been flown out of Ugashik. A ment was not ready or able to build above-ground storage tank opera- monitored collection site has been a tribal environmental program. tions, rural landfill operator certi- set up for recycle/reuse products; The impact on the water quality, fication, emergency planning and the site is a depository for clean the increase in noise and air pollu- response, and freshwater aquatic 55-gallon drums, scrap metals, and tion, and the general impact on assessment/monitoring. Another white goods. As the opportunity the environment are taking their goal of the GAP is to promote the arises, these items are back-hauled toll. Economic development needs improvement of fiscal and admin- out of the village either by free to be balanced with monitoring 48 istrative program management. back-haul, or the use of available of the environment to ensure its Such improvements help the Tribal grant funds. It is very helpful to health and wellbeing, as well as the Governments in obtaining other our village that GAP provides grant sustainability of the development funding opportunities. funds for the implementation of taking place. Alaskan Tribes participating such programs. With the increase Aleut cultural continuity, social in the GAP shared the following award that Ugashik recently traditions, and the economic well success stories with the Region 10 received, we will be able to accom- being of the community rely on Alaska Tribal Office. plish two more important steps customary/traditional practices. toward the construction of the Due to the increased human inter- UGASHIK needed Ugashik Class III Landfill. actions with the Pribilofs’ Bering Ugashik is located on the Another major accomplishment Sea environment, the need for northwest coast of the Alaskan made possible through GAP is monitoring and watching these Peninsula, 16 miles up the Ugashik that the villages in our region have interactions, and protecting and River. Hattie Albecker, Ugashik begun to work more closely with conserving our island ecosystem has Traditional Council’s Environmental one another. Two examples are the become vital. Coordinator, provided this account of formation of the Ugashik Water The Tribal Government of St. what the GAP has accomplished. shed Council and the Sustainable Paul has made great strides in the Before the GAP, Ugashik Energy Commission of the Alaska development and implementation did not have an environmental Peninsula. of a tribal environmental protection program. Our program began in program. In April 1998, the Tribal February of 2000. The availability The ALEUT COMMUNITY of Government of St. Paul created of the capacity-building opportu- ST. PAUL ISLAND the Ecosystem Conservation Office nities through the GAP and the St. Paul Island is located 770 air (ECO) to address concerns and initiative of the Ugashik residents miles from Anchorage, in the Bering issues such as customary/traditional have resulted in a much cleaner Sea. Phil Zavadil, co-director of uses (subsistence), water quality, and healthier environment for all the Ecosystem Conservation Office, air quality, land management, residents. We have set the ground- provided this background informa- etc. ECO provides a place for work for our future generations. tion about the Island, the tribe, and community members to take their Success Stories concerns, have them investigated Management Plan for St. Paul trash separa- and dealt with, and communicated Island and the final draft of our tion and recycling back to them. In addition, ECO Integrated Waste Management (aluminum cans and provides a local point of contact Plan. batteries) programs, and for off-island organizations with Now in the fifth year of the cleaned up the village. We the same or similar concerns. The GAP, we are continuing to focus have a burn box and a waste-oil EPA GAP grant helped to lay this on solid waste with the continued heater. Last year, we removed about foundation. implementation of a recycling three totes of batteries and are During our first year of partici- program, including developing a continuing to do so. We back-haul pating in the GAP, we began devel- recycling management plan. We batteries by barge and back-haul oping a Tribal Environmental are finishing our Environmental cans by air. Many tribes participate Agreement (TEA) and collecting Management Plan; conducting on- in Alaskans for Litter Prevention surveys previously prepared by other going observations of our island and Recycling - a program that organizations regarding environ- ecosystem; working with commu- creates opportunities for back-haul mental issues. We also developed nity representations to conduct of clean aluminum cans by local a Village Environmental Planning pollution prevention education; and airlines. This program is widely Survey and contacted Federal and providing on-going environmen- known as Flying Cans. state agencies to conduct a full tal education to children and the environmental assessment, as well community. NATIVE VILLAGE OF as monitored and assessed environ- GAP has given ECO staff the EKWOK mental hazards within the commu- skills and capacity to successfully Ekwok is located along the nity and around the island. apply for many environmental Nushagak River, 43 miles northeast of In our second year, we contin- grants as well as other non-environ- Dillingham and 285 miles southwest ued the work on issues identified mental grants and contracts. Some of Anchorage. Submitted by Loraine 49 in the FY 1999 grant, and signed environmental grants that we have King, Environmental Planner. a Tribal Environmental Agreement received include: Alaska Native The GAP benefits our commu- (TEA) with EPA in Fall 2000. We Health Board’s Alaska Solid Waste nity by providing us with the also began working on a Specific Management Demonstration Grant opportunity to build our tribal Action Plan (SAP) and began (3 years in a row); Tribal Open capacity to effectively manage and monitoring and observing the Dump Cleanup Project Grant; develop an environmental program changes occurring in the island’s and, Alaska Inter-Tribal Council’s in our community. We were able environment using indigenous/ Integrated Waste Management to provide employment for two traditional knowledge and wisdom Grant. community members and, thereby, and western science. cut back on unemployment. In our third year, we worked NEW KOLIGANEK The staff and a council member on the SAP and using traditional Koliganek is located on the were able to obtain training and knowledge in monitoring our left bank of the Nushagak River needed skills to learn about differ- island environment. We focused and lies 65 miles northeast of ent aspects of the GAP grant on addressing our community’s Dillingham. Anu Wysocki, Koliganek’s such as requirements, laws, and solid and hazardous waste issues Environmental Director, has this to regulations, as well as learn about and educating our community on a say about what the GAP has done in many other programs we can tap variety of environmental issues. their community. into for funding implementation We recently completed our The GAP has benefited my projects. The staff was also able fourth year of the GAP. We contin- village in many ways. Our village to receive other high-tech ued building upon the founda- is cleaner and more educated on training, such as computer tion laid over the past three years environmental issues. We have program training. by reassessing our community’s addressed our solid waste issues, Through educating environmental concerns and target- and have applied for and received the commu- ing specific issues identified by the Solid Waste Grant for three nity, the ECO and the community. We consecutive years. We have hired a completed the Environmental solid waste operator, implemented Success Stories

members became more aware of on hazardous waste through our decorate canvas bags and then environmental issues and concerns. newsletter and community presen- distributed them in the community. Now we are able to issue a newslet- tations. We are looking at starting a We include an environmental page ter and provide youth activities household hazardous waste collec- each month in the village newslet- to the students, as well as hold tion soon. We’ve already started ter. We have developed special community meetings. We were able some used-oil collection, and projects within the village (such to start a recycling center through have back hauled many pounds of as home assessments) in order to the Alaska Native Health Board batteries. get people more directly involved (ANHB) grant, and pass a resolu- with environmental issues. We are tion for nonsmoking in and near NATIVE VILLAGE OF EAGLE working on a water quality assess- public buildings through the Clean Eagle village is on the southern ment program, an oil-spill response Indoor Air Demonstration Grant. bank of the Yukon River, three miles plan, and a Tribal Environmental We have also signed off on a east of the City of Eagle, on the Agreement. Tribal Environmental Agreement Taylor Highway. Submitted by Barry Our recycling program is with Region 10. We have revised Westphal, Environmental Planner successful for two reasons: our our memorandum of understand- We started with GAP three accessibility to a large village ing with the City of Ekwok to years ago. We began with develop- truck for hauling recyclable items include Ekwok Native Limited and ing an environmental plan that to Anchorage, and the efforts of are starting to hold joint meetings identified environmental issues volunteers. Recycling doesn’t to work on issues together. We have within our community and laid work without community effort. developed working relationships a foundation of where we were at At times, individuals volunteer to with federal and state agencies, as that time. The plan will be updated take items, such as old appliances, well as other surrounding commu- periodically and act as a form out to a recycling center when they nities. We are involved with the of direction for our program to go to town. We hope to be able 50 Nushagak Mulchatna Watershed, develop. The GAP has produced to expand to other items such as which involves networking and the funds and guidance neces- cardboard and plastics. cooperative working with other sary for our village to develop tribes along the Nushagak River and maintain an environmental GWICH’YAA ZHEE and the Nushagak Bay Villages. We program. The program is raising (FORT YUKON) TRIBAL have eight certified HAZWOPER awareness of environmental issues GOVERNMENT and concerns in our community students, and are working to Fort Yukon is located on the and is enabling us to present infor- complete our generic oil-spill plan. Arctic Circle, at the confluence of the mation and answers that in turn We have addressed some solid Yukon and Porcupine Rivers, 145 make changes in the community. and hazardous waste issues with air miles northeast of Fairbanks. Because of GAP, our capacity to the GAP grant. The solid-waste 2003 GAP accomplishments were deal with environmental issues will issues are: recycling aluminum submitted by Vickie Thomas, grow. cans, newspapers, cardboard boxes, Environmental Manager. Styrofoam, and education of the After developing the founda- Fort Yukon is participat- students and community on solid tional environmental plan, we have ing in the household hazardous waste (littering, effort of recycling, been able to start several different waste back-haul with Yutana and landfill issues). We also have projects. There have been seven barge lines. Our environmental purchased a chipper/shredder environmental presentations done program successfully back-hauled through the ANHB grant. The in our school that included two 93 lead acid batteries, 63 drums of community has shredded the brush field trips that gave the upper waste oil, 8 old vehicles, and 318 that was cut, and some commu- grades (6-12) an introduction to pounds of aluminum cans out of nity members used the brush as rapid bio-assessment methods. Fort Yukon in 2003. We hope to chips to light their steam baths Other topics included groundwa- increase the amount of aluminum and for flower gardens and plants. ter and recycling. We also had an cans that are being back-hauled and The hazardous-waste issues are: art contest to raise awareness of recycled in Fairbanks. recycling of batteries of all sizes and environmental issues. The students We plan and coordinate the shapes, and providing information used environmental themes to volunteer, community-wide, spring Success Stories and fall cleanups. We receive small environmental committee set up store. Another grants from local organizations to to discuss environmental issues project is our purchase prizes, plastic bags, gift and concerns that we receive from “used clothing and certificates, and food for a cookout. community members. I also have a appliance exchange We usually have prizes for the complaint form that is available for program.” cleanest yard, most-improved yards, people to fill out. and best landscaping. Prizes and Other Projects give-aways increase participation in Recycling We are facing the possibil- the cleanups. The tribal government’s garage ity of closing an old dumpsite. We received a grant through is being used as the recycling center. We are working with a trainer to the Alaska Native Health Board All recyclables are dropped off or conduct Hazmat or HAZWOPER to purchase a used oil burner. picked up by our department. Some training. Our current landfill has During our “Fall Cleanup,” we items we collect are: aluminum been cleaned up and a drop-off area got the businesses involved. The cans and tabs, lead-acid batteries, has been established for commu- local government and power plant ink cartridges, cardboard boxes, nity members. There is an area for found a lot in their storage areas. newspapers, paper bags, Styrofoam, wood materials and batteries. We We shipped it all out on the barge. used tires, and plastic grocery are now working on establishing We have a small amount in storage bags. We are teaching community areas for aluminum cans, as well for the waste-oil burner to burn members how to reuse other items. as household hazardous waste. We during the winter months. Plus, The local government passed an just constructed a burn box and are we are receiving used oil from the ordinance banning the use of plastic now deciding on when and what to community members. We are also grocery bags in the stores. Instead, burn. We are still working on estab- educating the community about customers are asked to use canvas lishing a solid-waste management the danger of contaminating our bags, purchase paper bags, or use plan for our area. 51 groundwater. I have a volunteer the cardboard boxes from the Success Stories Non-pesticide Reliant Approaches to Rat Control in the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Region Adapted from an article provided by Ron Kendall, EPA Office of Pesticides

The Aleutian/Pribilof Islands History of Rats in Adak changing the habitat in the target Tribe was awarded a grant in 2004 Adak is an incorporated city zone. The remaining rats can then for “Rat Prevention, Rat Control with a year round population of be trapped and poisoned to an and Rodenticide Certification approximately 100 people. Rats acceptable level. Training in the Aleutian/Pribilof were probably brought to Adak Adak’s draft IPM Plan was Islands Region—Alaska Maritime by U.S. military ships. While the successful. The city was able to use National Wildlife Refuge.” The military was on the island, they APIA’s contribution to their project focus of this project is two-fold: had 30 or more people whose sole as leverage to get another $20,000 to develop a program to control job was rat control. At its peak, the towards supplies from the USFWS. rats in areas where rats are estab- base was home to 6,000 people, The most economical order of lished; and, to develop strategies complete with housing. Since the any rat control strategy is sanita- to ensure areas that are rat free military began to pull out in 1996, tion and habitat modification, then remain that way. The Aleutian/ the responsibility of rat control has traps and poison. If you hope to Pribilof Islands Region is part of fallen on the Community Council. completely eradicate an established the Alaska Maritime National The community’s approach rat population, the cost is estimated Wildlife Refuge. It is home to some to rat control does not rely on to be $150/acre. of the largest colonies of seabirds pesticides. Instead, the commu- in the world. Beginning with the nity manages its rat population The Initial Plan arrival of outsider seafaring visitors, by changing the rat’s habitat, thus A committee was established to 52 numerous islands in the Aleutians making it difficult for them to live create an IPM specifically designed have become infested with invasive and breed. An 80 percent reduction for Adak. The committee was Norway rats. The bird popula- in rat numbers can be achieved by comprised of representatives from tion, native vegetation, and human each entity in Adak. An IPM is a health are threatened by this omnivorous and disease carrying invasive species. The Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Association (APIA) will partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. These agencies will provide comprehensive training and certification, and assist in the development of integrated pest management (IPM) plans. Aleutian/ Pribilof Islands Association expects this project will develop programs that can be transferred to other Aleutian communities. The following story is framed from the Tribes first status report in March 2005. Success Stories holistic method of reducing pest ◗◗ Materials stacked beside this developed numbers. It involves modifying the warehouse near the fish plant a monitoring environment to reduce favorable will be stacked on pallets away plan and evaluation habitat, thereby reducing the popula- from the building. methods to track success. tion dramatically. Once the popula- They also trained a group of tion has been reduced, trapping Housing Area certified rodenticide applicators. and/or poisoning the remaining rats ◗◗ Eliminate the tall grass are not such daunting or expensive surrounding the unused elemen- The Future of Rat Control tasks. An IPM requires establishing a tary school. on Adak target area, defining tolerance levels, ◗◗ Eliminate the tall grass between The city plans to create a full- developing a monitoring plan, and housing units which provides time position for rat control. The creating an evaluation process that safe transit for rats between position will be funded through can be used to refine the plan as houses. grants, if possible, and contribu- needed. tions from the City, The Aleut Corporation (TAC), and Aleut Target Area Airport ◗ Enterprise Corporation (AEC). Everyone agreed that the ◗ Traps should be placed around the perimeter of cargo areas to APIA will provide the City of Adak housing, fish plant, dock, harbor, with $14,000 for help with person- and airport were critical areas. A ensure no rats escape that might come in with cargo and that no nel for rat control and $1,000 steep mountain on one side borders towards rat control supplies. the housing area and a road on the rats get into cargo leaving the other side borders the whole area. island. Trap and Bait ◗ Those border areas will be desig- ◗ Grass around the perimeter of the airport should be mowed/ Information nated as “buffer zones.” All traps should be secured weed-whacked, and trap lines either by staking or wiring as rats 53 should be set and monitored as Tolerance Level may drag traps away or eagles may ◗ needed. ◗ No rats in homes where people abduct the rat and the trap it is in. live The best bait, as suggested ◗ ◗ No rats coming off or getting Fire Station by Peter Dunlevy, is small pieces on ships The fire station was not of sponge soaked in herring oil. ◗ ◗ No rats coming off or getting included in the target zone, but The oil does not go rancid, the on airplanes should follow the same proce- sponge pieces can be stored in a ◗ ◗ No rats in the fish plant. dures as the warehouses, including jar indefinitely and reused, and the mowing/weed-whacking a perimeter The following habitat changes rats like it. Alternatives are peanut around the outside of the building were suggested for the target and butter, apples, nuts, and just about that can be defended with a line of buffer zones: anything else the rats are used to traps placed 20 meters apart. The eating. Rats are wary of new foods. Fisheries Plant traps should be monitored and data ◗◗ One of the two docks in Adak: recorded. Traps will be placed every 20 Buffer Zones meters on the docks and on the Buffer zones will be kept walkways beneath. mowed or a herbicide will be ◗◗ Adak Fisheries plan: Crates will applied to eliminate the grass, be moved 18” from outside thereby reducing the ease of rats walls, creating a path for traps. entering the target area. Traps can be set throughout buffer zones to Warehouses help prevent rat penetration. Owls ◗◗ Grass will be cut or herbicide should be encouraged to frequent applied along shoreline and the buffer zones by placing more the lumber will be stacked on perches or roosts for them. pallets. The tribe and their partners Alaska Faces Spruce Bark Beetle Infestation Adapted from “Forest Health Update - A Decade of Beetle Activity in Alaska,” Roger Burnside

Byline articles and interviews regions. Significant represent the opinions and views of infestation also has been Table 1. Cumulative infested acres based contributors and are not necessar- witnessed along the lower on aerial surveys 1989-2000: A cumulative ily those of the U.S. Environmental Yukon and Kuskokwim breakdown, by ownership, of areas infested by Protection Agency. rivers and tributaries, spruce beetle within the Kenai Peninsula and the Lake Clark/Iliamna Copper River regions of Alaska (GIS estimate For the last decade, natives of region, the Cook Inlet from 1989-2000 aerial survey data). Alaska have witnessed a devastat- west of Anchorage Ownership Kenai Copper ing infestation of beetles in natural (including 88,000 acres Peninsula River land areas filled with spruce trees. within this municipal- Region* Region** The beetles live in and feed on the ity) and in southeast State of Alaska 425,200 147,400*** phloem of the spruce trees and have Alaska, predominantly Federal 538,600 313,200 caused the death of tens of millions near Haines, Juneau and Borough 46,000 of trees. The spread of the spruce Gustavus. Other Municipal 1,600 bark beetle in Alaska is concentrat- The following table Alaska Native 260,600 219,900 ed mainly in the Kenai Peninsula, (Table 1) has been but has continued to spread to the replicated from Roger Other Private 122,500 Copper River regions of the state. Burnside’s article “Forest University of AK 13,100 According to Roger Burnside, Health Update - A Total: 1,407,600 680,500 an entomologist with the Alaska Decade of Beetle Activity *Source: Kenai Peninsula Borough ELVMI vegetation 54 State Department of Natural in Alaska.” mapping project (A. DeVolder) **Source: AkDNR DOF & Resources, Division of Forestry, the The infestation creates IISFS, S&PF Forest Conditions surrey database (D. Wittiuer) spruce bark beetle epidemic has wildfire hazards and an *** Total Copper River region infested acreage may include affected over 1.4 million acres of overwhelming decrease miscellaneous small private parcels, University of Alaska parcels or floating Native Allotments (land ownership codes the Kenai Peninsula and 680,500 in the population of were not specific enough to pull this information from the acres in the Copper River valley spruce trees across the forest damage database). between Glennallen and McCarthy region. The Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Borough. Other programs created Program is headed by the to support this mission include the Kenai Peninsula Borough and FireWise Community Mitigation establishes program partner- Plans, which provide community ships with public and private slash disposal, remove dead trees landowners to address these along utility corridors, and utilize concerns and reduce wildfire regional fire crews to remove hazard hazards and other related trees in high use public areas, threats to the public’s life and campgrounds, and public buildings. safety. Initiatives supported For more information on the by the program and Kenai Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Peninsula Borough began Program and other programs led by in 1999 and have included the Kenai Peninsula Borough, visit a wildfire hazard and risk www.borough.kenai.ak.us/sbb. assessment for the peninsula, Editor’s note: Since the posting the identification of fire of this website, lindane is no longer escape routes, the creation registered for use for beetle control. of community zones of refuge, and the production of a landcover map of the Graphic courtesy Without Graphic Borders of Rivers “Sacred grounds is ground that has been invested with belief. Belief, at its root, exists independent of meaning. That is, its expression and object may escape what we can perceive as definable meaning. The intrinsic power of sacred ground is often ineffable and abstract.”

—N. Scott Momaday

Source: www.wisdomoftheelders.org Kid's Page “The Smelly Shirt of the Shaman Tiuk” Written and Contributed by: Howard Norman Edited by: Jennifer Sweigart

This happened a long time ago, when boats were first coming into the Hudson Bay and the town of Churchill was new. The tundra had all the same animals; the sky had all the same birds. Beluga whales (Qilaläqáq) came in to feed in the Churchill River. The weather was the same. But now there was a town right on the coast. Some Inuit people lived there. Many people who were European lived there too. It was a new town. Tiuk – the shaman (Angakuq) from Padlei – was a very powerful magician. In those days, Tiuk traveled with a smelly shirt. It was made of seal-hide and it smelled so rancid that, in every Inuit village Tiuk visited, people had a named for the shirt. In Eskimo Point, they called it “Nose-choker.” In Chesterfield Inlet, they called it, “Seal-guts-rotting-in-the-sun.” In Whale Cove, they called it “Stink-shirt.” Tiuk and his shirt traveled away fast from the new town, along the river. It was winter then. It was snowing (Áput) hard. While Tiuk and his smelly shirt were fishing on a frozen sea (Táriuq) , they heard a strange sound in the distance. But Tiuk could not see anything because it was snowing so thickly.

56 “Go and see what is making such a sound!” Tiuk said to his shirt and the shirt flew off. When the shirt came back, it said “It is the sound of homesickness-wailing. There are ghosts. They are wandering about. They are wailing.” The wails were of some Europeans who died in Churchill. Then – one-by-one—the ghosts of the European people appeared out of the falling snow. “What do you want?” said Tiuk. “We heard that you, Tiuk, could cure people back from the dead.” “That is true,” said Tiuk. “Cure us back to life, then,” said the ghosts. “We are homesick.” “So many homesick-wails at once is a sound I had never heard before,” said Tiuk. “I like the sound. If I cure you, I won’t hear it anymore.” “No, no, we have taught it to the wolves (Ámarüq),” said the ghost. “They already howl, but we taught them human homesickness-wails. You can make them howl it for you. Just use your magic on them. Just threaten them with your smelly shirt.” “Very well then,” said Tiuk. He used his magic to cure the European people back to life. They set out for Churchill. Tiuk set out far inland. It is said that Tiuk never stepped foot in Churchill again. *This is part of a story originally told by Marc Nuqac, a Caribou Eskimo. Caribou Eskimos live up and down the Northwest coast of the Hudson Bay. The Caribou Eskimos tell this story in their native language Inuit. Kid's Page

Match the following words from the story to their picture to find the Inuit translation:

Graphic matching English language Inuit translation Inuit translation

Whale Áput

Sea Táriuq

Snow Ámarüq

Wolf Qilaläqáq

Shaman Angakuq Elders

“When an elder dies, a library burns.” —Proverb

“The World of nature is the source of all life…Balance is required in the world of nature.” —Dr. Walter Soboleff, Tlingit (Source: EPA Region 10 Tribal Elders Summit)

“We have one great word in our culture: haa shage- inyaa. This was a Great Spirit above us, and today we have translated that reverence to God.” 58 —Dr. Walter Soboleff, Tlingit

“…Keeping the past with the future” —Natalie Kvasnikoff, Village of Nanwalek

“English is my second language, not first language” —Rhoda Moonin, Village of Nanwalek Elders

“When I was four years old, after one very beautiful day on the island where I was raised, I was so joyous in trying to describe in words the beauty of the nature that surrounded us that my grand- father and village elder spoke to me... ‘You know that as soon as you use words to describe the beauty in nature, you diminish its value.’ Perhaps in those few words he encapsulated the very basis of Aleut survival.” - Larry Merculieff, Tribal Elder, Aleut St. Paul, Pribiloff Islands

59 Photograph courtesy of Roy Corral Roy of courtesy Photograph

“Cycle of Life That is our calendar We live by our calendar our way of life Based on Life November - Sheep October - Caribou September - Moose August - Harvest” - Sarah James, Tribal Elder, Arctic Village