Portage Creek Village Council and Residents of Portage Creek with Assistance from Agnew::Beck Consulting, LLC

Portageg Creek Comprehensive Plan October 2006

A plan developed by the Portage Creek Village Council and residents of Portage Creek With assistance from Agnew::Beck Consulting, LLC

Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... 1 RESOLUTIONS FROM GOVERNING ENTITIES...... 2 INTRODUCTION & SUMMARY OF GOALS ...... 4 Process to Prepare Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan...... 4 Purpose of Plan ...... 6 Support in State Statutes ...... 6 Requirements of Funding Organizations ...... 7 Planning Efforts in Bristol Bay...... 7 Summary of Goals ...... 8 Land Use, Environment & Housing...... 8 Economic Development...... 8 Public Services & Facilities ...... 8 Transportation ...... 8 Community Wellness, Culture & Education...... 8 Leadership...... 9 VISION & VALUES ...... 10 Vision Statement ...... 10 Personal Statements about Vision for Portage Creek’s Future...... 10 Community Values ...... 11 VILLAGE BACKGROUND...... 12 Introduction...... 12 Public Administration ...... 12 Village Location ...... 12 History & Culture ...... 14 Land, Environment & Climate ...... 14 Soil Conditions ...... 14 Environmental Issues ...... 15 Subsistence Patterns ...... 15 Land Ownership...... 15 Population...... 16 Population Trends...... 16 Gender...... 18 Age...... 18 Race...... 18 Economy ...... 18 Overview...... 18 Income and Employment ...... 19 Source: Portage Creek Village Council members, 2006 ...... 22 Local Businesses...... 22 Transportation & Access ...... 24 Infrastructure & Utilities...... 25 Water...... 25 Sewage ...... 25 Fuel ...... 25 Electricity...... 25 Solid Waste...... 25 Housing ...... 26 Summary of Bristol Bay Housing Authority Programs ...... 27 Public Services & Facilities ...... 29 Schools...... 29 Recreation...... 29 Healthcare...... 29 Communications...... 29 Safety, Fire Suppression & Emergency Services...... 29 Mail ...... 30 Local Service Providers...... 30 GOALS & STRATEGIES...... 35 Land Use, Environment & Housing ...... 35 Context ...... 35 Goals ...... 38 Goals & Priority Actions...... 38 Economic Development...... 47 Economic Development...... 48 Context ...... 48 Goals & Priority Actions...... 49 Goals & Priority Actions...... 50 Public Facilities, Services & Transportation...... 53 Context ...... 53 PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES ...... 55 Goals ...... 55 Goals & Priority Actions...... 55 TRANSPORTATION ...... 61

Goals ...... 61 Goals & Priority Actions...... 61 Community Wellness, Culture & Education ...... 65 Context ...... 65 Goals ...... 66 Goals & Priority Actions...... 67 Leadership ...... 70 Context ...... 70 Goals ...... 70 Goals & Priority Actions...... 71 IMPLEMENTATION ...... 73 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVISION PROCESS ...... 76 REFERENCES ...... 78 APPENDICES ...... 79 List of Maps Map 1. Location of Portage Creek, Alaska ...... 6 Map 2. Portage Creek Area Map ...... 13 Map 3. Portage Creek Area Map – Land Use Patterns...... 17 Map 4. Portage Creek Development Map ...... 37 Map 5. Portage Creek Community Map ...... 41 Map 6. Portage Creek Land Use Map...... 42 Map 7. Portage Creek Housing Infrastructure Map ...... 43 Map 8. Pebble Mine Area Map...... 44 Map 9. Portage Creek Transportation Network...... 63 List of Figures Figure 1. The Comprehensive Planning Process...... 3 Figure 2. Village Planning Process...... 5 Figure 4. Input-Output Model of Village Economy...... 23 Figure 5. A Village’s Capacity for Expansion...... 45 Figure 6. Planning Future Homes and Community Spaces...... 47 Figure 7. Input-Output Model of Portage Creek Village Economy ...... 52

List of Tables Table 1. Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan Process...... 4 Table 2. Population: Portage Creek and the Dillingham Census Area (1930-2005)...... 16 Table 3. Total Population, Gender & Age: Alaska, Dillingham Census Area and Portage Creek18 Table 4. Population by Race: Portage Creek and the Dillingham Census Area ...... 18 Table 5. Poverty Status in 2000 – Portage Creek, Dillingham Census Area and Alaska...... 19 Table 6. Personal Income in 2000 – Portage Creek, Dillingham Census Area, and Alaska...... 19 Table 7. Portage Creek Employment...... 20 Table 8. Portage Creek - Employment by Industry ...... 20 Table 8. Portage Creek - Employment by Industry ...... 21 Table 9. Number of Local Jobs...... 22 Table 10. Portage Creek Employers and Positions...... 22 Table11. Current Business Licenses in Portage Creek...... 24 Table 13. Portage Creek Housing Characteristics...... 26 Table 14. Dillingham Census Area and Alaska Housing Statistics ...... 27 Table 15. Southwest Regional School Enrollment...... 31 Table 16. Capacity and Desirability of Future Development Areas...... 45 Table 16. Capacity and Desirability of Future Development Areas...... 46 Table 18. Characteristics of Seasonal Transportation Modes...... 54 Table 19. Portage Creek Public Services & Facilities Matrix...... 58 Table 20. Road Surfacing Options...... 64

List of Appendices Appendix A: Bristol Bay Regional Background Information Appendix B: Business & Technical Assistance Resources Appendix C: Business Plan Basics Appendix D: Business & Jobs Survey Form Appendix E: “Input-Output Model of Village Economy” Worksheet Appendix F: Sample Resolution from Governing Entities Adopting Comprehensive Plan Appendix G: Resources for Native Art & Craft Sales Appendix H: Resources for Rural Tourism Development Appendix I: Energy Alternatives Appendix J: Housing Funding Opportunities Appendix K: Board Members Appendix L: Interim Alternatives to Re-Opening the Portage Creek School

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Portage Creek Community Comprehensive Plan is the result of a team effort by Portage Creek Village Council, Choggiung, Ltd. and other residents and tribal members of Portage Creek. This plan is the direct result of their contributions of time and knowledge of their community, and their desire for a healthy future. The Village Council as well as community members at-large comprised the Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan Planning Team. Key members of the Planning Team include: Mary Ann Johnson, Village Administrator Charlie Johnson, President of the Village Council Matrona Andrew, Environmental Program Coordinator Craig Johnson Lena Kapotak Wassillie Kapotak A Planning Team work session, one community visit and three Community Workshops, and one Review Session were held to gather public input for this plan. At the community workshop in June, 2006, 14 adults, youth and Elders attended. Their contributions truly made this plan a community document. Photos were provided by Agnew::Beck Consulting, LLC. Maps were compiled by the State of Alaska Department of Community, Commerce and Economic Development (DCCED) as part of the Community Profiles Mapping Project. Map annotations were made by Agnew::Beck, based on community comments. Funding for the preparation of this plan was provided by the Portage Creek Village Council.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 1

RESOLUTIONS FROM GOVERNING ENTITIES

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 2 Figure 1. The Comprehensive Planning Process

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 3 INTRODUCTION & SUMMARY OF GOALS While the population of Portage Creek has decreased in the past few years, this Comprehensive Plan is written with the goal of many residents intending to move back in the future. As the background information in this plan shows, the population in the past 50 years has varied from as little as 5 residents to as many as 60. While many challenges face the village of Portage Creek, this community has great potential to once again become a thriving community with an operating school and other public facilities, sustainable businesses, and residents living subsistence lifestyles. This Comprehensive Plan outlines many strategies to reach the community’s goals in not only reviving the community’s population but improving the quality of life and sustainability of the village. Process to Prepare Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan The 2006 Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan builds on the work of several previous plans, community visits, resident interviews and research done by Agnew::Beck Consulting. (Key references are listed in the “References” section on page 84.) Additionally, a series of meetings and workshops were held between April and September 2006. These work sessions were well-attended, and were held in order to gather community input on issues and concerns of importance to Portage Creek. Community-wide planning goals were discussed over the course of the entire process. Priority actions, strategies and resources needed to implement Portage Creek’s Comprehensive Plan goals were also discussed. The following table summarizes the process to prepare this comprehensive plan. Table 1. Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan Process Date Event

March, 2006 Portage Creek Start-Up Meeting April, 2006 Portage Creek Community Workshop #1 – Identify Issues & Goals Community visit, conduct resident interviews, Community Workshop #2 June, 2006 and meeting with the youth of Portage Creek July, 2006 Draft Comprehensive Plan released for community review August, 2006 Portage Creek Community Workshop #3 – Review Draft Comp Plan September, 2006 Portage Creek Review Session November, 2006 Final Comprehensive Plan released

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 4 Figure 2. Village Planning Process

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 5 Map 1. Location of Portage Creek, Alaska Purpose of Plan Villages, regional organizations and statewide entities all recognize the need for communities to clearly state their goals and visions for the future. Community planning is the process of coming together to agree on a future direction, and gathering momentum to carry it forward. A united community is like a river that starts out braided and dispersed, but gains power by funneling all its separate channels into one stream. A united community, regardless of size or location, can achieve its goals through building consensus and clearly pursuing a direction that all community members support. This is the key to self-sufficiency and self-governance. Community goals can range from Source: Bristol Bay, Comprehensive Economic Development constructing facilities, such as housing or Strategy, Bristol Bay Native Association a community center, to expanding infrastructure, creating jobs, protecting subsistence areas and sustaining cultural traditions. By planning ahead, villages can act on new opportunities and be prepared for challenges associated with economic and demographic changes. Support in State Statutes In Alaska, comprehensive plans are mandated of all organized municipalities by Title 29 of the Alaska State Statutes. While Portage Creek is part of the Unorganized Borough, and therefore not covered under this mandate, a comprehensive plan is nevertheless useful to help guide community development. The key elements of the state statute are extracted below: State Statute Sec. 29.40.030. Comprehensive plan (a) The comprehensive plan is a compilation of policy statements, goals, standards, and maps for guiding the physical, social, and economic development, both private and public, of the first or second class borough, and may include, but is not limited to, the following: - Statements of policies, goals, and standards; - Land use plan; - Community facilities plan; - Transportation plan; and - Recommendations for implementing a comprehensive plan. (b) With the recommendations of the planning commission, the assembly shall adopt by ordinance a comprehensive plan. The assembly shall, after receiving the recommendations of

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 6 the planning commission, periodically undertake an overall review of the comprehensive plan and update the plan as necessary. Requirements of Funding Organizations In addition to Alaska State Statutes, funding agencies have become increasingly interested in community planning and many are now requiring that some type of community plan be in place in order to fund infrastructure and economic development projects. For example, the United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) requires a unique planning process and document called a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to qualify for assistance under its economic adjustment, planning, and public works programs. In addition, beginning with the Federal Fiscal Year 2005 funding cycle, the Denali Commission, which partners with other state and federal agencies and nonprofit agencies, will require a community to have a comprehensive community plan identifying community priority projects prior to funding considerations. This plan is intended to meet the criteria of both the Denali Commission and the EDA, and fulfill the planning requirement for those funding sources. Planning Efforts in Bristol Bay Bristol Bay regional organizations have recently increased their capacity to assist villages with completing community plans. The Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation (BBEDC) has developed a grant program to assist member villages with planning efforts. Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA) developed a Community Development Inventory and a Community Comprehensive Planning Guidebook to assist village planning efforts, through a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. The Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC) has developed a web-based inventory of community development priorities and planning efforts. In addition, both BBNA and SWAMC have completed regional plans that complement this village plan: BBNA Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, 2005 at: http://www.bbna.com/econdev/CEDS2005.pdf Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC) Economic Development Strategy, 2003 - 2008, updated 2004 at: http://www.swamc.org/economics/economics.html

A COMP PLAN IS: • A general statement of community goals • Long term; looks ahead 10, 20, 30 years • A means to gain local control over changes affecting community life • A means to acquire resources to carry out community priorities (e.g. a reference for grant applications) • The foundation for a range of implementation actions: roads, trails, public facilities, land use policies A COMP PLAN IS NOT: • A zoning ordinance • An application for incorporation • A method for taxation

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 7 Summary of Goals

Land Use, Environment & Housing Protect subsistence use areas and access to those areas. Work with all Native villages and organizations potentially affected by mining, oil and gas development to create a unified response to ensure development does not proceed unless subsistence impacts are adequately addressed and village interests are respected. Mitigate impacts of recreation use along Nushagak and adjacent lands. Maintain a good stock of quality housing in village. Have genuine ability to make and influence decisions about land use in the community and in the region. Maintain the natural beauty and qualities that make Portage Creek a good place to live. Mitigate erosion and impacts from spring break-up and run-off (especially on roads).

Economic Development Increase local benefit from area tourism. Find ways to decrease cost of living. Increase employment opportunities in Portage Creek. Encourage job training and local hire. Increase number of viable locally-owned businesses.

Public Services & Facilities Construct and maintain essential public facilities and services. Work to decrease cost of fuel and utilities. Purchase needed capital equipment.

Transportation Provide adequate and safe transportation network. Alleviate summertime congestion on river in specific areas. Partner with area landowners to maintain safe transportation network.

Community Wellness, Culture & Education Maintain a local option for schooling in Portage Creek. Provide health services in the community. Locate social services providers and services in community. Create community youth activities and identify location to house activities. Maintain cultural identity and traditional ways.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 8 Leadership Increase control over land use and development issues affecting Portage Creek. Encourage leadership organizations and residents to work together to support the overall health and growth of the community. Maintain good relationships with and work closely with other Nushagak area and Bristol Bay communities on issues affecting the whole area. Build on the knowledge of Elders and traditional ways of life to guide Portage Creek’s future. Work with Portage Creek youth to become the next generation of leaders.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 9 VISION & VALUES The beauty of Portage Creek and its surrounding area is often remarked upon by residents and visitors. While the current population of the community is low, those who grew up in Portage Creek remember their childhoods very fondly and speak often of returning to live there some day. Many long-time residents who have moved away continue to return seasonally to their summer homes and fish camps and continue their traditional practices of subsistence fishing, hunting and berry picking. Today’s residents are also very attracted to the place, and have a vision of the future that includes being a year-round residence for their own children and grandchildren. Vision Statement Portage Creek is a healthy, vibrant, year-round community with a good school, roads, jobs and community facilities where youth, Elder and all residents can live a healthy lifestyle, and engage in traditional subsistence practices in a beautiful, clean, natural environment.

Personal Statements about Vision for Portage Creek’s Future Larger community Hoping it grows More people More housing Reestablish locally-controlled Portage Creek Village Corporation Build business around sport fishing through Village Corporation Youth have a recreation center, positive activities, be outdoors Elder youth interaction continue to teach subsistence Lots of game Alternative sources of power, solar batteries, efficient gas generators run computers, phone, internet, and minor electronics Open school lots of families, family involvement Consolidate fuel storage Cost effective ways to supply energy Increase local benefit to economy of area fishing and hunting – direct benefits:

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 10 o Reduce trespass, vandalism, garbage, waste removal o Capture fees or taxes from visitors and outside businesses o Local businesses: - Youth would sell crafts or cultural “tour” activities, native dance, mid-summer event to gather people together - Local guiding, learning from lodges to run local guiding businesses - Lodging Better airport Better roads Lights on runway o Gravel in spring o Look at privatizing or better maintenance o Municipality of Anchorage with state Community Values “It is the best place in the world” “We live our subsistence lifestyle without getting sick from it” Pebble Mine – concern about Mulchatna, mine tailings Healthy, safe lifestyle Learn survival, traditional ways from Elders, grandma, and grandpa “Live on the river and do not go hungry” Education and learning opportunities available to all (through SWRSD) Working together, learning to get along “The most beautiful place on the Nushagak River!”

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 11 VILLAGE BACKGROUND Introduction Background information for Portage Creek draws heavily from secondary and primary sources including the U.S. Census Bureau; the Alaska Community Database maintained by the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Community Advocacy; previous planning documents produced by the Portage Creek community, such as the Long-Range Transportation Plan and the Engineering Study of Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Facilities; and regional planning documents such as the Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Bristol Bay, the Southwest Alaska Economic Development Strategy 2003-2008, and subsistence fishing profiles by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Village Council members provided local information, and corrected secondary sources where necessary. For a list of key planning documents, see “References” sections on page 84. Public Administration Portage Creek lies within the Unorganized Borough and is not incorporated as a municipality. In the 1980’s, the Portage Creek Association, the local ANCSA village corporation, merged with Choggiung Ltd., the ANCSA village corporation for Dillingham. The Portage Creek Village Council is a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) recognized tribal council. Portage Creek is part of the Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA), the regional Native nonprofit organization that represents 32 villages of the Bristol Bay region. Village Location The Native Village of Portage Creek is located in the Bristol Bay Recording District in southwest Alaska. Portage Creek is located at the mouth of Portage Creek, a tributary of the Nushagak River, 29 miles southeast of Dillingham. It lies at approximately 58.900160° North Latitude and - 157.66153° West Longitude.1 Other communities in the vicinity include Koliganek, Ekwok and New Stuyahok to the north; Levelock to the northeast; and Manokotak, Twin Hills and Togiak to the west.

1 Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), Community Database website. http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_COMDB.htm

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 12 Map 2. Portage Creek Area Map

Source: Alaska Department of Community, Commerce and Economic Development, Community Mapping Project, 2005.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 13 History & Culture The village site was historically used by the Yup'ik Eskimos as an overnight summer camp. During the years of winter mail runs by dogsled, the spot was also used as a crossing point and camp. Portage Creek was so named because it was used at times to portage boats from the Nushagak River to the Kvichak River. In this way, travelers could avoid the open waters of Bristol Bay and the long trip around Etolin Point. The village was permanently settled in 1961 by families from Koliganek and other villages along the Nushagak River. A BIA school was established in 1963, and during the winter of 1964-65, 11 families lived in Portage Creek. In 1965, the village began to be served by a local, scheduled air carrier. The village is a popular recreational fishing and camping site from May through July, and a hunting location for local residents. Seasonal activities that residents (particularly the youth) enjoy include: fishing, ice-fishing, berry picking, swimming (at the “beach”), four-wheeling, snowmachining, boating, ice skating (on Portage Creek), hiking, maqiis (steams), visiting with friends and family from villages along the river and various team sports such as kickball, basketball and ‘Capture the Flag.’ Land, Environment, & Climate The area encompasses 13.1 sq. miles of land and 0 sq. miles of water.2 Portage Creek is in a transitional climate zone. The primary influence is maritime, although a continental climate does affect the weather here. Average summer temperatures range from 30 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Average winter temperatures range from well below zero to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation is 20 to 35 inches. Fog and low clouds are common during the summer, and may preclude access. The lake and river are ice-free from June through mid-November. Portage Creek does not have a known history of flooding nor does it participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.3 The village is within a low seismic hazard area.4 Soil Conditions The entire Bristol Bay region was formerly covered by glaciers and topography is representative of a post-glacial area. Portage Creek is situated on generally thawed uplands located adjacent to a channel of the lower Nushagak River in a broad coastal lowland setting. Geologic deposits in the area consist of unsorted mixtures of predominantly silt, sand, and gravel with alluvial sands and gravels; glacial loess; and thin, near-surface volcanic ash.5

2 State of Alaska, DCCED, Community Database, March 2006. 3 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2000. 4 U.S. Geological Survey, 2000. 5 Soil information is from the Engineering Study of Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Facilities at Portage Creek, completed by Bristol Environmental & Engineering Services Corporation, November 2001.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 14 Environmental Issues A persistent environmental issue in Portage Creek is erosion along roads, typically due to rain run off during break-up season. The community is in need of a new landfill because the current site is located less than 1,000 feet from the airport, which is much closer than the minimum separation distance required for an active airport serving piston-powered aircraft. FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-33 recommends a distance of 5,000 feet between wildlife attractants (e.g., landfills) and airport runways like Portage Creek’s. The community landfill also does not have a current ADEC Landfill Permit. Open burning is regularly practiced at the “working face” of the current landfill. Residents currently self-haul their refuse to the landfill. Because many people get their drinking water from the local spring, residents are particularly concerned about protecting this spring and keeping the water source clean. Subsistence Patterns To some extent, residents of Portage Creek depend on subsistence activities for various food sources. Salmon is found in both Portage Creek and the Nushagak River; whitefish reside in water bodies outside of the village; moose, caribou, geese and duck are popular game animals; and many berry patches are scattered around the village and surrounding area. In June and July, many residents live and work in seasonal subsistence fish camps. Portage Creek residents participate in an ongoing subsistence food exchange with other Bristol Bay communities. Food that is traded includes walrus, berries, seal, and herring roe. See the map on page 17 for existing subsistence uses in the area. Land Ownership Land ownership in the Portage Creek area includes: State of Alaska [Community Land 14(c)(3)]6, Choggiung Limited (an ANCSA corporation), Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Services, Department of Aviation, the Portage Creek Russian Orthodox Church and several private land owners (between 15-20 different land owners).

6 In 1995, Choggiung Ltd. completed its Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) 14(c)(3) requirement to convey land for community use in Portage Creek. Since Portage Creek is not incorporated as a city, the 248.8 acres of 14(c)(3) community land were conveyed to the State of Alaska in trust for a future city. The conveyance included some of the community buildings and facilities, the airport, some of the roads and trails, a boat landing area, and land for community expansion. Source: Engineering Study of Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Facilities at Portage Creek, completed by Bristol Environmental & Engineering Services Corporation, November 2001.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 15 Population

Population Trends Portage Creek has a year-round population that is relatively unstable in number. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that people starting settling in the area. Between the 1960’s and the mid 1980’s Portage Creek was a fairly active community. Since then, the population has ranged from 48 in 1980 to five in 1990 to 36 in 2000. Portage Creek’s original tribal enrollment was 78. The Village Council is currently in the process of updating their enrollment membership list. Table 2. Population: Portage Creek and the Dillingham Census Area (1930-2005)

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005

Portage Creek - - - - 60 48 5 36 37 Dillingham Census Area 4,024 3,485 4,616 4,012 4,922 4,926 Source: Alaska Department of Community, Commerce and Economic Development, Community Profiles. Population for 2000-2004 from Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Provisional Estimate.

A Mt. Edgecumbe High School student in Portage Creek for the summer, helping with the family business.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 16 Map 3. Portage Creek Area Map – Land Use Patterns

Source: Alaska Department of Community, Commerce and Economic Development, Community Mapping Project, 2005; annotations by Agnew::Beck

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 17 Gender The population in Portage Creek is fairly balanced between males and females. As of 2000 Census data, there were 47% females and 52% males (see Table 3.)

Age Table 3 shows that the largest percentage (61%) of the population in Portage Creek is under 20 years old. The table also shows that the village has a smaller percentage of residents in the 20-24 age group than the Dillingham Census Area as a whole. This may indicate a greater percentage pursuing higher education opportunities in other locales, or a need for more employment options to retain younger residents. Table 3. Total Population, Gender & Age: Alaska, Dillingham Census Area and Portage Creek

Total Under 65 and Median Population Male Female 19 20-24 25-44 45-64 Older Age

Alaska 626,932 51.7% 48.3% 33.2% 6.3% 32.5% 22.3% 5.7% 32.4 Portage Creek 36 52.7% 47.2% 61.1% 2.7% 25% 5.5% 5.5% 14

Dillingham Census Area 4,922 52.2% 47.8% 40.7% 5.2% 28.9% 19.5% 5.7% 28.9 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000, GCT-P5.

Race The lifestyle in Portage Creek is strongly influenced by the majority Alaska Native population (86%). The remainder of the population is white. This breakdown is typical of areas outside of major population centers in the Bristol Bay area. Table 4. Population by Race: Portage Creek and the Dillingham Census Area

Alaska Other Two or White Native Black Asian race More Dillingham 35.6% 52.6% 0.6% 1.2% 0.6% 9.4% Portage Creek 13.8% 86.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Dillingham Census Area 21.6% 70.1% 0.4% 0.6% 0.6% 6.7% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000, SF-3.

Economy

Overview All residents depend to some extent on subsistence activities for various food sources. Many families have fish camps at Ekuk or Clarks Point. Salmon, whitefish, moose, caribou, duck, geese and berries are harvested. An exchange relationship exists between Bristol Bay communities for various types of foods and goods. The Portage Creek General Store and Lodge operates during the summer months selling various products to boaters and fishers along the river, providing lodging

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 18 facilities, boat storage, hauling, and rental. Other businesses have included babysitting, lodging opportunities, and guiding services.

Income and Employment The per capita income for Portage Creek residents in 2000 was $8,010, almost a third less than the statewide per capita income of $22,660. It should be noted that the population in the village has a high number of residents under the age of 18, bringing down the per capita income. A more telling indicator would be the median household income (Table 6) of $41,250, which is just below the state’s average. Table 5 shows that no families are indicated to be below the poverty level. Table 5. Poverty Status in 2000 – Portage Creek, Dillingham Census Area and Alaska Portage Creek Dillingham Number Percent Census Area Alaska Families 0 0% 199 18.3% 10,270 20% With related children under 18 years NA NA 174 23% 4,407 23.7% With children under 5 years NA NA 88 26.3% 2,428 35.8% Individuals 0 0.0% 1045 21.4% 57,602 9.4% 18 years and over NA NA 548 18.1% 35,561 8.3% 65 years and over NA NA 32 11.8% 2,330 6.8% Related children under 18 years NA NA 493 26.6% 20,792 11.2% Related children ages 5 to 17 years NA NA 370 26.7% 14,298 10.3% Unrelated individuals 15 years and over NA NA 183 29.1% 20,113 18.3% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000, DP-3. Table 6. Personal Income in 2000 – Portage Creek, Dillingham Census Area, and Alaska Dillingham Portage Creek Census Area Alaska Median Household Income $41,250 $43,079 $51,571 Median Family Household Income $41,250 $45,391 $59,036 Per Capita Income $8,010 $16,021 $22,660 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000, DP-3. When evaluating the local labor force it is important to look at the percentage of adults who are not working, as well as the unemployment rate. Unemployment rates count potential workers who are actively seeking work and filing for unemployment benefits. They may not count workers who have given up seeking employment. According to the US Census Bureau, Census 2000, 0% of the population is unemployed, a drastic difference from other Bristol Bay villages.7 For example, the percentage of unemployed people in Dillingham is 32%, in Togiak, 67%. These figures, however, generally do not take into account seasonal employment, such as commercial fishing, or subsistence activities.

7 This figure of a 0% poverty rate for Portage Creek means only that no one in the village actively seeking employment. With its small population, the figure should not be drawn from heavily.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 19 Table 7. Portage Creek Employment

Portage Creek Employment

Total Potential Work Force (Age 16+) 4

Total Employment 2 Civilian Employment 2 Military Employment 0 Civilian Unemployed (Seeking Work) 2 Percent Unemployed 0.0%

Adults Not in Labor Force 2 (Not Seeking Work) Percent of All 16+ Not Working 50.0% (Unemployed + Not Seeking) Private Wage & Salary Workers 0 Self-Employed Workers 0 Government Workers 2 (City, Borough, State, Federal) Unpaid Family Workers 0 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census 2000

In the spring, many sport fishing operators return to Portage Creek where their boats are kept for the winter. Seen here is a local entrepreneur bringing visitors and one of several fishing skiffs down to the “beach” for the summer fishing season.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 20 Table 8. Portage Creek - Employment by Industry Census data shows employment by Portage Creek - Employment by Industry industry. This often undercounts those involved in commercial fishing, due to Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, Mining 9 the timing of the Census during April when most people are not yet employed Construction 0 in that industry. The Census information clearly shows the importance of the Manufacturing 5 largely-government-funded “Education, Health and Social Services” category. Wholesale Trade: 0 The actual numbers in these categories, however, may be misrepresentative for several reasons. First, Census surveys Retail Trade: 3 could be filled out by Portage Creek residents claiming to spend most of the Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities: 0 year living in the village but whose job actually exists in another area. Information: 0 Regardless, these numbers illustrate the importance of the government sector in Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental & Leasing: 0 area employment.

Professional, Scientific, Management, The following two tables attempt to 6 Administrative & Waste Mgmt: clarify and broaden the employment picture. These tables list local employers Education, Health & Social Services: 13 and number of positions provided by each, including the estimated number of Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation 2 residents who commute outside of the & Food Services: village for work. Other Services (Except Public Admin): 2 As mentioned above, government entities employ a large percentage of the local Public Administration: 0 population. These employers and their funding sources are out of local control, Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census 2000. subject to federal or state budgeting cuts and political maneuvering. This reliance of the local economy on one sector can lead to economic instability. Diversification into the private sector, through small local businesses and small-scale manufacturing, would strengthen and stabilize the overall economy in Portage Creek.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 21 Table 9. Number of Local Jobs

Commuters Full Time Part Time On-call Seasonal (estimate)

4 5 - 1 -

Source: Portage Creek Village Council Survey, 2006.

Table 10. Portage Creek Employers and Positions

Employment in Portage Creek

Positions Full Time/Part Time Portage Creek Village Council Portage Creek Village Council 1 Full Time/5 Part Time Bristol Bay Native Association 1 Part Time Portage Creek Lodge & General Store 1 Seasonal Alaska Bush Guides 2 Full Time

Choggiung, Ltd. – River Patrol/Fish Camps varies

Source: Portage Creek Village Council members, 2006

Local Businesses Small local businesses are the vital seeds from which a local economy grows. Local businesses allow dollars to circulate more than once within a community. For example, if a resident receives their paycheck, and immediately drives or flies to another community to spend it, no dollars have been spent in the local economy. Conversely, if a resident receives a paycheck and then spends some of his or her earnings at a locally-owned grocery store, those dollars then help pay residents employed by the store and the local person who owns the store. If these people in turn spend their earnings locally, the dollars continue to circulate and spread wealth to a larger number of local residents. The figure below describes a simple ‘Input-Output’ model for a village economy. The object of local economic development should be to attract new sources of wealth into the community, such as new industries, dollars from outside visitors and new local employers, and then to develop local businesses so the wealth can remain in the local community.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 22 Figure 4. Input-Output Model of Village Economy

Source: Agnew::Beck Consulting, LLC

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 23 The records in the following table reflect current business licenses on file with the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Division of Occupational Licensing, Business Licensing Section. These licenses may not represent actual business activity. There have also been a number of businesses that have operated in Portage Creek but are no longer functioning. These have included several lodging places, a trading/gear company, a transportation and warehousing business, and a waste management and remediation firm. Table11. Current Business Licenses in Portage Creek SIC Codes Business Name (Primary - Secondary) Alla’s Babysitting 62 624410 Err’s Alaskan Bush Guide Services 713990 713990 Portage Creek General Store and Lodge 452990 5300

Transportation & Access Chartered air transport is most frequently used to reach Portage Creek, but scheduled flights are also available with Peninsula Air Ways (PenAir). There is a State-maintained 1,470' long by 60' wide gravel airstrip, maintained only during summer months, and seaplanes may land on the Nushagak River. Skiffs are also utilized to reach the community. Cargo goods are lightered to the “beach” (main access point to the Keefer Cutoff) since there are no docking facilities. Residents use snowmachines, boats and ATVs for local travel.

Portage Creek’s access to the river. Locals call this area the “beach.”

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 24 Infrastructure & Utilities

Water There are no central water, sewer or electrical facilities currently in operation in Portage Creek. In 1982, a community well was drilled at the school through the Village Safe Water (VSW) program. The well is high in iron and manganese (as is true for the well at the clinic), hence most residents haul water from a fresh water spring located about 20 minutes away, by skiff (see Map 2, page 17). In addition to the well, a 4,000 gallon potable water storage tank and community watering point were constructed. These services are not currently available to residents because they are operated through the school which has closed for the 2005-2006 school year.

Sewage With the exception of the homes constructed by the Bristol Bay Housing Authority, honey buckets and outhouses are used for sewage disposal. An engineering study of water, sewer and solid waste facilities was completed in 2001 (see “References” section on page 84). Funds have been requested by Portage Creek Village Council to conduct a sanitation study.

Fuel Fuel is barged from Dillingham twice a year (spring and fall) by Yukon Fuel. Residents stock as much as they can during these times in 55-gallon drums and personal storage tanks. On rare occasions, when supplies run out in the winter, residents haul fuel from Dillingham by snowmachine. The Portage Creek General Store sells gasoline during the summer months only. In addition to their tanks, two other bulk fuel tanks exist in Portage Creek – one at the school, the other at the Village Council building.

Electricity There is no functioning community electric system. With the recent decline in population, the newly remodeled and purchased community diesel generator was shut down. The school, Village Council building and many residents have individual generators.

Solid Waste Portage Creek currently disposes of trash at a community landfill. The landfill site is not permitted by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) and is not compliant with the FAA recommendations regarding minimum distance from airports and runways. The Portage Creek Village Council and Choggiung, Ltd. are currently working to identify a new landfill site and to secure site control. It is a community priority to clean up and close the existing landfill. See “Environmental Issues” on page 15 for more information on the landfill.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 25 Housing Table 13. Portage Creek Housing Characteristics

As of 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau noted Portage Creek Housing Characteristics that there were 22 total housing units in Portage Creek. This figure was tabulated Total Housing Units: 22 prior to the construction of the 3 additional homes by the Bristol Bay Housing Authority Occupied Housing (Households): 7 in 2003. Most of the houses in Portage Creek Vacant Housing: 15 are stick frame construction. Seven houses are occupied, leaving 15 houses vacant. Of Vacant Due to Seasonal Use: 8 the vacant houses, eight are vacant due to Owner-Occupied Housing: 3 seasonal use. Of the occupied houses, three are owner-occupied, four are renter-occupied. Median Value Owned Homes: $0 Only five houses in Portage Creek are family Renter-Occupied Housing: 4 households with an average family size of 5.14 persons, which is higher than the Dillingham Median Rent Paid: $0 Census Area as a whole (3.84 persons). The Total Households: 7 remaining two houses are non-family households. The overall average household Avg. Household Size: 5.14 size is 6.6 individuals. This is higher than the Family Households: 5 average household size of 3.20 individuals for the Dillingham Census Area as a whole. Two Avg. Family Household Size: 6.6 potentially misleading statistics from this table are the two $0 amounts for the Median Value Non-Family Households: 2 Owned Homes and the Median Rent Paid. Pop. Living in Households: 36 Due to an exceedingly small sample size, these data were not available to the US Census. Pop. Living in Group Quarters: 0 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 26 Table 14. Dillingham Census Area and Alaska Housing Statistics

Housing Statistics Dillingham Census Area Alaska Housing units, 2002 2,341 265,377 Homeownership rate, 2000 60.4% 62.5% Housing units in multi-unit structures, percent, 2000 13.7% 27.0% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2000 $105,300 $144,200 Households, 2000 1,529 221,600 Persons per household, 2000 3.20 2.74 Median household income, 1999 $43,079 $51,571 Per capita money income, 1999 $16,021 $22,660 Persons below poverty, percent, 1999 21.4% 9.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000

Summary of Bristol Bay Housing Authority Programs The Bristol Bay Housing Authority was created by Alaska Statute AS 18.55.955 in 1974 to administer Low Income Housing programs funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The programs are governed by the terms of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act. In 1996, Congress revamped Indian Housing Programs with the passage of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA). The two programs authorized for Indian tribes under NAHASDA are the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) which is a formula-based grant program and Title VI Loan Guarantee which provides financing guarantees to Indian tribes for private market loans to develop affordable housing. The Indian Housing Block Grant Program (IHBG) is a formula grant that provides a range of affordable housing activities on Indian reservations and Indian areas. In Alaska, eligible IHBG recipients are federally-recognized Indian tribes or their Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE). An eligible recipient must submit to HUD an Indian Housing Plan (IHP) each year to receive funding. At the end of each year, recipients must submit to HUD an Annual Performance Report (APR) reporting on their progress in meeting the goals and objectives included in their IHPs. Eligible activities include housing development, assistance to housing developed under the Indian Housing Program, housing services to eligible families and individuals, crime prevention and safety, and model activities that provide creative approaches to solving affordable housing problems. The Portage Creek Village Council has chosen BBHA as their “Tribally Designated Housing Entity,” as provided for in NAHASDA. BBHA passes through to the Council one half of the “Need” funds provided by a formula allocation under NAHASDA. BBHA maintains a “Regional Pool” with the other half of the funds from each village participating in the “Pool,” and constructs new homes on an annual basis from a ranked village list.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 27 BBHA monitors sub-recipient activity for provision of housing services and programs administered by the individual tribes who use BBHA as their Tribally Designated Housing Entity. Under the prior 1937 Act (USHA), 4 single-family homes were built in Portage Creek in 2003. To date, no homes have been conveyed into private ownership. At the end of the 15-year housing purchase agreement, all will transfer to the private ownership of the program participants. Regionally, BBHA has participated in an IRS Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) housing program administered in Alaska by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. Several of these apartment complexes are located in Dillingham, and are open to all tribal members from any village. According to the FY06 NAHASDA funding formula, the "need" component as computed by HUD through BBHA for Portage Creek is $ 25,860.00. One-half of these funds stay in a regional pool for construction of homes in accordance with a ranked regional list of villages, the other half of the funds are passed through to the Portage Creek Village Council for locally-administered programs, such as rehabilitation of eligible individual village residents' owned homes, and youth programs. There is no elderly housing available in Portage Creek, although there is an elderly 10-unit project funded by USDA and AHFC Tax Credits (LIHTC) in Naknek. The Southwest Elders Home accepts eligible residents from any community in the region. An elderly 15-unit independent living project is located in Dillingham, as is a 15-bed Assisted Living facility, both of which accept eligible residents from any community in the region.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 28 Public Services & Facilities

Schools Portage Creek has a K-8 school which is part of the Southwest Regional School District. The school was closed from 1985 through 1996 due to low enrollment but reopened in 1996 and remained open for several years. With the decrease in population in 2005, the school closed again and will remain closed until the 10-student minimum enrollment requirement is met. Currently, Portage Creek students attend school either in Dillingham, Anchorage or Sitka at Mt. Edgecumbe.

Recreation Residents participate in various outdoor activities including: fishing, ice-fishing, One of several Portage Creek school buildings. berry picking, swimming, four-wheeling, snowmachining, boating, ice skating, hiking, and various team sports such as kickball, basketball and ‘Capture the Flag.’ No indoor recreation facilities exist in Portage Creek.

Healthcare Clinic services have not been provided in Portage Creek since the 1980’s. The clinic building is old, unsafe and inadequate for medical services. When the school is open, a Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation dentist and nurse come to the village once a year and provide dental work and general check-up services to students. Other residents have access to these services if time allows during the visit.

Communications Most households use VHF and CB radios which are reliable and connect the village with most of Bristol Bay. While unreliable, some households use BTRS radio phones known as the “Betters” telephone service. Starband provides Internet service to the Village Council building and at least one residence. In the case of emergencies, the school (when open) has access to phone and Internet service (provided by GCI). A grant awarded to the SWRSD provided all schools in the district with this service. Two households and the school have satellite television.

Safety, Fire Suppression & Emergency Services In the case of an emergency or fire, residents must rely upon themselves for emergency response. The Village Council was approved for Code Red funding (a program that provided fire fighting equipment and training to rural communities) but the funding was declined due to too few people living in the community. A large fire extinguisher, stored in the community’s generator building, can be transported by ATV, snowmachine, or by vehicle to a fire.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 29 If a serious medical emergency occurs, the injured are taken to Dillingham by MedEvac, provided by Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. Although emergency calls are rare, Alaska State Troopers will respond to such calls. Alaska Fish & Game enforcement officers also respond in case of poaching violations. There is no Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) in Portage Creek.

Mail Mail is flown in from Dillingham by PenAir. Local residents volunteer to distribute the mail or to house the mail for pick-up.

Local Service Providers Portage Creek Village Council The Portage Creek Village Council is a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) recognized tribal council. Portage Creek is part of the Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA), the regional Native nonprofit organization that represents the 34 villages of the Bristol Bay area. Choggiung Ltd. Choggiung Ltd., the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) village corporation for the Dillingham area, merged with the Portage Creek Association in the 1980’s. Choggiung, Ltd. includes the community of Ekuk. Choggiung, Ltd. is a major landowner in the area and also operates the Nushagak-Mulchatna River Patrol on behalf of its shareholders and the other village corporations located along the Nushagak River. Other Service Providers Portage Creek continues to operate an Environmental Program with funding through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP). The IGAP program employs one Environmental Coordinator. There are currently no other service providers in the village, though some resources exist to support a road maintenance worker, Tribal Children’s Service Worker, Health Aide, and some other types of service providers for Portage Creek.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 30 Regional Service Providers Table 15. Southwest Regional School Enrollment

Enrollment Enrollment Village Grades in 2004/05 in 2005/06 Aleknagik K-8 35 38 Clarks Point K-8 19 14 Ekwok K-8 31 25 Koliganek K-12 64 40 Manokotak K-12 139 133 New Stuyahok K-12 170 176 Portage Creek K-8 7 NA Togiak K-12 236 235 Twin Hills K-8 13 25 Source: Alaska State Department of Education & Early Development, 2004-2005 School Enrollment by District

Southwest Regional School District8 The Southwest Regional School District is governed by a School Board comprised of seven regionally-elected members. Serving as advisory groups to the Board, each village has a Community School Committee. Varying from three to five members, each "CSC" is locally elected and provides input to the Board and superintendent regarding the school administration, operations, programs, and general needs. The Southwest Regional School Board is committed to academic excellence for all school children. It is the desire of the Board that students graduating from district schools possess the fundamental attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to function successfully as citizens in their village and elsewhere in society.

Bristol Bay Native Corporation9 Formed under the 1972 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC) has approximately 7,400 shareholders who are Eskimo, Indian and Aleut.

Currently, BBNC is a diversified holding company. Investments include a stock portfolio; a corporate services subsidiary; an environmental remediation firm; a design firm; a cardlock fueling subsidiary; a company that provides personnel for oilfield and environmental cleanup; an asbestos abatement subsidiary and an engineering, environmental, information technology and logistical support services company.

8 Source: Southwest Regional School District 9 Source: Bristol Bay Native Corporation, www.bbnc.net .

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 31 Bristol Bay Native Association10 The mission of BBNA is to promote self determination of tribes of the Bristol Bay region, and the betterment, well-being, culture and interests of the Native people of the Bristol Bay Region. BBNA’s primary purposes are: To respond to the needs and priorities of the 30 recognized tribal councils of the region as those councils determine them to be. To encourage support and foster each council's ability to do those things they can and want to do for themselves in exercising self governance. To foster personal responsibility and self-sufficiency among Bristol Bay’s Native people. BBNA is an advocate for the Native People of Bristol Bay. As such it will: Represent and be an advocate for the interests of the Native people of Bristol Bay and of the Tribal Councils and organizations of the region as authorized by those councils. Areas of advocacy and representations include tribal affairs, government, education, social, economic, and cultural well being. Use all social, educational, political and legal means to protect the subsistence, economics, lifestyle and culture of the Native people of Bristol Bay. Enhance and promote the self-respect, pride and well-being of the Native people of Bristol Bay. BBNA is a community and social service agency dedicated to serving the Native people of Bristol Bay. As such it will: Actively develop, support and implement Tribal, Federal and State policies designed to create a sound socio-economic base in Bristol Bay villages consistent with each village's needs and plans. Deliver services to the people of Bristol Bay in a manner as sensitive to their needs, life ways and humanity. Deliver services to the people of Bristol Bay in a manner as efficiently and effectively as possible. Maximize the beneficial effects of the services provided and maximize Tribal and agency resources used to provide those services.

Bristol Bay Housing Authority One of 16 regional housing authorities in Alaska, the Bristol Bay Housing Authority's mission is to eliminate substandard housing conditions through the development of local capacities that will provide safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities for the Native population of Bristol Bay. Since its founding in 1974, BBHA has built more than 500 such units, single family homes and apartments, with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Native American Programs, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Division. Housing authority commissioners, include

10 Source: Bristol Bay Native Association, www.bbnc.net .

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 32 Chairman William Tennyson, Vice-Chairman Luki Akelkok, and Commissioners Mark Eddie Angasan and Boris Kosbruk. 11

Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference12 The Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC) is a regional non-profit economic development organization for Southwest Alaska. SWAMC serves the five regions of Southwest Alaska: Kodiak Island, Bristol Bay, Alaska Peninsula, the Aleutian chain, and the Pribilof Islands. SWAMC is one of 13 Alaska Regional Development Organizations (ARDORs) and receives funds from the Alaska State Legislature through the Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. The ARDORs form a network of locally-based economic development organizations in the state focusing on a variety of issues important to their regions. SWAMC focuses on fisheries, transportation, tourism, education and training, small business development, and providing a vehicle for a united voice for Southwest Alaskans. SWAMC is also one of two Federal Economic Development Districts (EDD) in Alaska and receives federal funds from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. An important role of an EDD is to develop and maintain an Overall Economic Development Plan (OEDP) for the region. To this end, SWAMC has a current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to guide the region (see “References” on page 84). SWAMC provides networking and education opportunities with two conferences a year – one in Southwest Alaska and another in Anchorage. These conferences feature training and educational opportunities on a variety of business and policy topics. SWAMC provides technical assistance to the region by contracting for services within the scope of their mission. SWAMC assistance includes economic development planning, tourism development, business planning and feasibility studies, assistance with grants and proposals, and assistance with promotional and marketing efforts.

Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation13 BBEDC is the Community Development Quota (CDQ) organization representing Bristol Bay communities. The purpose of the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation is to promote economic growth and opportunities for residents of its member communities through sustainable use of the Bering Sea resources. BBEDC’s member communities are Aleknagik, Clark's Point, Dillingham, Egegik, Ekuk, Ekwok, King Salmon, Levelock, Manokotak, Naknek, Pilot Point, Port Heiden, Portage Creek, South Naknek, Togiak, Twin Hills, and Ugashik.

Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation BBAHC is the Native Regional Health Corporation serving the Bristol Bay region. Its mission is “to promote health with competence, a caring attitude, and cultural sensitivity.” BBAHC is a member of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), the largest tribally owned and managed healthcare system in the world.

11 Source: Bristol Bay Housing Authority, www.bbha.org. 12 Source: Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference, www.swamc.org. 13 Source: Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, www.bbedc.com.

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 33 Figure 5. Relationship Between Population & Infrastructure

Source: Agnew::Beck Consulting, LLC

Portage Creek Comprehensive Plan 34