Lake and Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan

Egegik Community Action Plan Egegik is located on the south bank of the on the Peninsula. The Becharof National Wildlife Refuge and are accessible from Egegik. Becharof Lake is the second largest Lake in Alaska and is the nursery for the world’s second largest run of sockeye salmon.

Community Strengths and Successes The community describes its strengths and successes in terms of the area’s historical fishing culture and recently completed community projects, including: the newly opened Fisherman’s Hall, a community center; rehabilitation of the City-owned dock which serves fuel and freight barges from Anchorage and Seattle; the City’s seven-acre landfill with newly funded batch oxidation incinerator; new LED streetlights; the City run power company; and a community greenhouse with chickens.

Community Recommendations Population, Education and Community Wellness. Egegik’s total population has been fairly steady over the last two decades, but has seen a noticeable drop in the number of children and youth. Low numbers of school age children and youth has put the school in danger of closing several years in a row. Some residents are concerned that low school enrollment is impacting the emotional health of Egegik’s young people. They do not have the opportunity to socialize with other young people their age. Some community members suggested engaging the Area Health Corporation (BBAHC) and the Lake and Peninsula School District on this issue. One community member said: “Community spirit is no longer in the school. Winterfest and community dances used to be very popular with the kids but doesn’t happen anymore.” There is community support for more events, activities and games that can bring the community together more often. Fisherman Hall just opened in the summer of 2012 and could provide the space for increased social activities among community members.

Table 1. Egegik Population and School Enrollment 1990-2012

EGEGIK 1990 2000 2010 2011 2012 Total Population 122 116 109 113 -

School enrollment (K-12) - 22 12 10 10

Sources: US Census Bureau (1990, 2000, 2010 populations), 2011 DCCED Commissioner Certified population estimate, community estimates (2012 population), Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (1990, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2012 school enrollment).

Housing. Residents identified a lack of affordable, quality housing, particularly for young families and elders. Census data shows available units but many are seasonal and some may be in sub-standard condition. The population swells by 1,000 to 2,000 fisherman and cannery workers during the commercial fishing season. Residents noted the need for health aide(s) in the community. Currently, the community receives health services from an

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Lake and Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan

itinerary health aide employed by BBAHC. One community member suggested that the City expand the housing it owns and rents to could attract a full-time health aide by offering staff housing. Currently, the City owns two houses and both are rented out. One currently houses a family with four kids; the other is for a teacher. This would bring additional revenue to the City and potentially attract future residents/workers to Egegik. Energy. Fuel prices are high, driving up the cost of living. Residents noted difficulty/expense of travel due to high fuel prices (air freight to Egegik is double King Salmon prices). Electricity costs have not risen as much due partially to continued support via the Alaska Energy Authority Power Cost Equalization Program. Egegik has a wind turbine, but there is a compatibility issue with the existing generator system, which now has to be upgraded. Many of the community’s buildings (residences, business, and public facilities) are in need of energy retrofits. The school is currently getting new windows.

Table 2. Egegik Energy Prices 2002-2010

EGEGIK 2002 2010 Cost of fuel (per gallon) $1.48 $3.52

Cost of electricity (per kWh) average residential 55.0 cents 56.0 cents rate before PCE

Source: Alaska Energy Authority PCE calculations and community feedback (2012)

Note: Fuel prices reflect price paid by utilities; these may differ from retail heating oil, gasoline, diesel and other fuel prices. Comprehensive current data on retail fuel prices for all the Lake and Peninsula communities are not available. The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) produces information on gasoline and heating fuel prices in select communities around Alaska. The most recent (July 2012) DCCED data includes three Lake and Peninsula communities: • Chignik Bay: gasoline $4.93/gallon; heating oil $5.06/gallon (up 20 percent since January 2012) • Kokhanok: gasoline $8.00/ gallon; heating oil $7.86/gallon • Nondalton: gasoline $7.79/ gallon (up 18 percent since January2012); heating oil $6.59/gallon Subsistence. Subsistence is a key part of the economy and lifestyle in Egegik. The community would like to see more protection of subsistence in how land, fish and game policies are developed and enforced. Economy. Egegik’s economy is based mainly on commercial fishing and fish processing. Five on shore processors are located on the Egegik; Icicle Seafoods (on the south shore of the Egegik River) and Coffee Point Seafoods (on the north side of the river) are the two largest processors. Numerous tenders operate in the Egegik Fishery, transporting fish to floating processors in Bristol Bay, as well as on-shore processors in Naknek and Dillingham.

Table 3. Egegik Commercial Fishing Permits 2000- 2010

EGEGIK 2000 2010 Number of residents holding 46 16 commercial fishing permits (2012: 6)

Source: NOAA (2000) DCCED (2010) Residents (2012)

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Lake and Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan

The number of residents holding commercial fishing permits has declined considerably over the past several years. Lower fish prices and fisheries decline is leading to brain drain. Much of Egegik’s economy is currently sustained by grants or government funded jobs; there is little to no industry. Job opportunities are inadequate, yet at the same time, residents note that there are some jobs that could be available for reliable workers, but their experience is that people show up for jobs when they want to. Some residents are unable to get jobs because they lack GEDs. People need training locally in a variety of things, such as grant writing, trade skills, etc. Local residents also expressed interest in adding classes to the junior high and high school curriculum that could better prepare young people for the workforce. Examples include ETT and other medical classes that can be taken online via BBAHC. Capital Improvements. Egegik’s capital improvement priorities include erosion control (mainly on the upriver-side of the church hill) and improving housing stock. Though no plans are yet in place, the community would also like to improve its communications infrastructure: the internet at the school gets shut down in May, leaving households to seek internet services on their own. Of the internet options available to the community, currently satellite internet is the best, but it is still very slow, limited, and expensive compared to the service available in larger communities. Local Governance and Leadership. Notes from the Bristol Bay visioning project indicate that as a community, “Nobody can agree on key things to move the community forward; there is a lack of focus on a particular project.” Yet, the city is able to successfully generate revenue (from the fish tax), provide services, and complete a number of public projects. Though reportedly in decline, the fisheries and processing plants are still operating, drawing numerous summer employees. As a community, Egegik struggles to find cohesion, provide stable jobs to many of its members, and retain professional personnel.

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Priority Goals and Strategies The community identified economic growth and generating jobs as the main community priority to address.

PRIORITIES RESPONSIBILITY TIMEFRAME + NOTES Goal: Diversify and strengthen the local and sub-regional economy.

Provide training opportunities for youth that match skills sets needed in the Alaskan Tribe, City, Village Corporation; Begin within 3 years (2015) workforce and that keep young people in Egegik after they graduate from high partner with, LPSD, SAVEC, school. Borough

Expand housing stock; develop new approaches to constructing homes with Cooperative project by City/Tribe 2013 increased local resources. and Village Corporation; working with BB Housing and Borough for technical assistance

Goal: Improve community quality of life, health and wellness.

Develop a Fisherman Hall regular activity and events schedule that brings in young City 2013 people and adults from other communities.

Goal: Increase cooperative relationships among Tribe, City, and Village Corporation.

Tribe, City, and Village Corporation will work together to finalize the Tribe, City, Village Corporation Remainder of 2012 recommendations coming from the Lake and Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan process for Egegik.

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Egegik Public Facilities and Services Inventory

SERVICE/FACILITY PROVIDER CURRENT FACILITIES ISSUES/NOTES/NEEDS

Transportation & Infrastructure Airport City 5,000 foot gravel runway City owned Dock repair funded 2011 Boat Landing City Dock (rebuilt 2011) (DCRA) Maintenance Equipment City Three dozers, one grader, two dump trucks, two backhoes Electricity City of Egegik Two generators (90 kW) Bulk Fuel City 118,000 gal; LPSD 2,000 gal; total = 120,000 gal; 3 community wells, two water storage tanks. Piped sewer Water/Sewer City system, treatment plant, sewage lagoon. (pvt washeteria)

Solid Waste City Class 3 permitted landfill and incinerator Phone: ACS AT&T Alascom GCI Communications Internet: (school only) Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Inc., GCI Services & Facilities Volunteer Fire Department, three Fire & EMS trained firefighters, clinic and volunteers provide EMS Two fire trucks, ambulance Police State Trooper (King Salmon), Postal Service USPS Post Office Community Center City Hall, Fisherman’s Hall Village Corporation: Village Council Egegik Village Tribal Council Office Becharof Corporation City Council City of Egegik City Hall Village Council owns; BBAHC Health Clinic operates Egekik Village Clinic Built 2003. Recreation Facilities Recreation/Youth Center School LPSD School building

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