Sustainable Lands Department: Brownfields Tribal Response 2007 Alaska Forum on the Environment Presented by Sonta Hamilton, Environmental Specialist 815 2nd Ave., Suite 201 Fairbanks, AK (907)

Yukon River Watershed Draining area = 330,000 square miles Distance from headwaters to mouth = 2,300 miles Crosses international border 4th largest basin in North America Traditional homeland of 74 Tribes & First Nations

Yukon River watershed has a history of… mining military BIA schools canneries other industries Contamination within the Watershed

Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council Founded in 1997 by Indigenous leaders Coalition of 66 Tribes & First Nations 50 Year Vision: To be able to drink water directly from the Yukon River Water Quality BackHaul/Solid Waste YRITWC Programs: BackHaul/Solid Waste Water Quality Brownfields Advocacy Education Contaminants Energy Brownfields

YRITWC Brownfields Tribal Response Overview: Funded since full-time staff in Fairbanks Focus Areas: Provide relevant training Inventory potential brownfield sites Maintain a record of sites for public access Assist with environmental assessment of priority sites Working to improve the Yukon River watershed one site at a time

Highlights of : Established Partnerships with 36 Villages Huslia Tribal Council Iqurmiut Tribal Council Kaltag Tribal Council Kotlik Traditional Council Koyukuk Tribal Council Manley Village Council Native Village of Bill Moore’s Slough Native Village of St. Michael Native Village of Tanacross Nenana Native Council Nulato Tribal Council Paimiut Traditional Council Pilot Station Traditional Council Pitka’s Point Traditional Council Ruby Tribal Council Scammon Bay Traditional Council Shageluk IRA Council Stebbins IRA Council Venetie Village Council Yupiit of Andreafski Alakanuk Traditional Council Alatna Village Council Algaaciq Tribal Government Allakaket Traditional Council Arctic Village Council Asa’carsarmiut Tribal Council Beaver Village Council Birch Creek Tribal Council Chevak Native Village Chuloonawick Native Village Dot Lake Village Council Emmonak Traditional Council Evansville Tribal Council Gwichyaa Gwich’in Tribal Gov’t. Grayling IRA Council Hamilton Tribal Council Holy Cross Traditional Council Hooper Bay Native Village Hughes Village Council St. Michael Koy uku k St. Mary’s Stebbins Shaktoolik Pitka’s Point Pilot Station

Highlights of : Facilitated Community Brownfield Trainings Tribal Brownfields Workshops Contaminated Site Education (schools, culture camps) Hazardous Waste & Emergency Response Training

Highlights of : Developed Inventory of Potential Brownfields Common Sites Petroleum (ex: tank farms, fuel storage areas) Dumps (ex: open, illegal) Lead/Asbestos Containing Buildings (ex: BIA schools, military facilities) 229 potential brownfields sites documented

Eroding Dump – Alakanuk, AKEroding Dump – Nenana, AK Drum Stockpile – Holy Cross, AK Highlights of : Increased # of Environmental Assessments Washeteria – Arctic Village, AK

What Makes Brownfields in Alaska Unique? 229 federally recognized tribes in Alaska Multiple governing bodies in most villages tribal governments, municipalities, village & regional corporations Complex land ownership Creative redevelopment/reuse goals

Questions or Comments? Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council Brownfields Tribal Response Program 815 2nd Ave., Suite 201 Fairbanks, AK (907) Thank you!