Community Dust Planning Presented by Vanessa Crandell-Beck Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Air Quality BIA Provider’s Conference – November 2017

Outline Background on DEC’s Rural Community Dust Survey Survey findings and statistics Dust monitoring and community self-assessment map Using the survey as a self-assessment tool Other tools for community dust planning Rural Dust Toolkit Steps for funding

Survey Background DEC Rural Community Dust Survey Sent out to communities in 2010, 2011, 2016 Goal was to understand: If dust is a problem in rural communities The scope of the problem Road and community-specific information Prior/existing dust control measures What did DEC learn from these surveys? Dust is a significant problem in rural AK and across the state

General Dust Concerns Health impacts and effects of long-term exposure Dust being blow onto fish racks and subsistence foods Chemical treatments and possible contamination Visibility and road safety issues from airborne dust ATVs and dust

Tools for Community Dust Planning: Using the Survey as a Self-Assessment Tool EPA/DEC coordination: reformatting and adding to the community dust survey so it can be used as a self-assessment Good first step for community dust planning Creates a profile of the community’s road system and dust problems to references when pursuing funding or technical assistance Highlights current capacity to address dust: Equipment Funds Community support Available resources

Tools for Community Dust Planning: Rural Dust Toolkit Being developed by DEC/EPA with stakeholder input Organized, one-stop guide, combining useful tools across agencies for getting started on road dust in Alaska Goals: To provide a resource that leads a community through a process that improves their ability to determine the steps needed for dust control To combine and present the existing information on road dust in a more accessible way

Tools for Community Dust Planning: Rural Dust Toolkit Being developed by DEC/EPA with stakeholder input Organized, one-stop guide, combining useful tools across agencies for getting started on road dust in Alaska Goals: Provide a resource that leads a community through a process that improves their ability to determine the steps needed for dust control Combine and present the existing information on road dust in a more accessible way Toolkit Sections Intro First Steps for Dust Control Behavior Change Maintaining Proper Road Design Dust Suppressants Dust Monitoring Funding Guide Contacts and Resources

Steps for Funding and Planning What needs to be done in advance to get funding for road dust abatement? Planning!! The Self-Assessment and Rural Dust Toolkit are a great place to start Important considerations: Who owns the road? Has dust control or dust monitoring been done in the past? Did it help? How many miles of road need some form of dust control? What is the condition of the road? Aggregate? Slope? Which areas are the dustiest and affect the community the most? Funding keywords: Road maintenance, safety, air quality The Self-Assessment and Rural Dust Toolkit can help communities start thinking about the questions they will need to know when seeking funding

Funding and Coordination: Roads and Maintenance Considering road ownership and management can help identify possible funding sources State State roads/airstrips – DOT&PF ($) State DNR Railroad Air quality – DEC Community and Regional Affairs – CIAP ($) Federal BLM BIA ($) FHWA ($) Native Corporation Village Corporation City/Municipal City or borough ($) Village Other ANTHC mini-grants ($) State-owned road – DNR management (may own and manage everything around the road)

State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation Thank You State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation Air Quality Division Non-Point Mobile Sources Vanessa Crandell-Beck Environmental Program Specialist vanessa.crandell-beck@alaska.gov 907-269- 0065 Molly Birnbaum Non-Point Section Manager molly.birnbaum@alaska.gov 907-269-4913