Adapting to Climate Change in the Middle Kuskokwim: A Collaborative Effort by the Communities of Lower Kalskag, Upper Kalskag, Aniak, Chuathbaluk, Napaimute, Crooked Creek, Georgetown, Red Devil, Sleetmute, and Stony River Report Contributors: Erica Lujan - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Oxcenia O’Domin - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Michael Brubaker - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Desirae Roehl - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Jeremy Littell - Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center Stephen Gray - Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center Courtney Olsonik - Native Village of Georgetown Sam Bundy - Native Village of Georgetown Will Hartman - Native Village of Georgetown Valerie Dudley - Native Village of Georgetown Debbie Hartman - Native Village of Georgetown Ozzy Escarate - Native Village of Georgetown Phyllis Evan - Lower Kalsakg Nick Levi - Lower Kalskag Billy Jean Stewart - Upper Kalskag Summer Stewart - Upper Kalskag Verdene Morgan - Aniak Harvey Hoffman - Aniak Climate projection maps created by the Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center Cally Phillips - Aniak Graphic design and layout by Rich Design Annie Fredericks - Chuathbaluk Father Michael Fredericks - Chuathbaluk This work was made possible through funding from the Mark Leary - Napaimute Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Resilience Program Marce Simeon - Napaimute Lattonya Lambert - Napaimute Dan Gillikin - Napaimute Rachelle Rohde - Napaimute Alexandria Phillips - Crooked Creek Agnes Andreanoff - Crooked Creek Kattie Wilmarth - Red Devil Ellen Yako - Sleetmute Madison Mellick - Sleetmute Elizabeth Willis - Stony River Jonathan Samuelson - Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and Native Village of Georgetown Boats on Stony River. Photo by Elizabeth Willis Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Region ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Communities ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Ayumqerryaraq – Lower Kalskag .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Kessigliq – Upper Kalskag ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Anyaraq – Aniak................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Curarpalek – Chuathbaluk ........................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Napaimute .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Qipcarpak – Crooked Creek ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Georgetown ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Red Devil .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Cellitemiut – Sleetmute ............................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Gidighuyghatno’ Xidochagg Qay – Stony River .................................................................................................................................... 12 Changing Climate ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Changing Environment .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 25 River ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 River Ice ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 River Water ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Landscape ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Permafrost Thaw .................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Dust ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 38 Wildfire ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 Plants and Animals .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Changing Communities ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 47 Adapting to Change .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 Adaptation Process .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Summary of Observed Environmental Change ............................................................................................................................ 51 Adaptation Priorities ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 55 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57 Sources ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 Appendix A ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 63 Appendix B ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 65 Introduction 1 In 2018, the Georgetown Tribal Council received a The observations of environmental change in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Resiliency Program Middle Kuskokwim are the foundation of the adaptation Grant to create a climate vulnerability assessment and strategies outlined in the Middle Kuskokwim Climate adaptation plan for the Middle Kuskokwim region. The Change Adaptation Plan. Middle Kuskokwim residents Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) was prioritized the types of environmental change that contracted to facilitate the climate change adaptation need to be addressed, and developed five adaption planning process, and develop the final climate change priority areas with associated goals. The Middle vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan in Kuskokwim adaptation goals focus on maintaining collaboration with the communities of Lower Kalskag, cultural traditions, ensuring the health and safety of Upper Kalskag, Aniak, Chuathbaluk, Napaimute, the residents, and continuing