Indian General Assistance Program: Success Stories
Region 10 awarded nearly $25 million to 231 Tribes and Tribal Consortia in 2008, developing a relationship with each Tribal government to help them build the capacity to manage their environmental programs. Visit our Region 10 IGAP funding page to find out how to apply.
Region 10’s Indian General Assistance Program is a key to protecting human health and the environment in Indian Country, and is an important component in upholding our Tribal Trust responsibilities. - Michelle Pirzadeh, Acting Regional Administrator
These stories, told in each Tribe's own words, illustrate the diversity of environmental accomplishments that Tribes in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska have achieved with funding from the Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP). Whether it is protecting valued subsistence resources or educating the next generation of stewards, these stories reflect the spiritual and cultural connection Tribes have with the land, the air and the water.
To read more success stories, you can download our publication: Indian General Assistance Program - Region 10 Success Stories from 2008 (PDF)(20pp. 6.5MB).
Spotlight: Nightmute Traditional Council, Alaska
2007 (before): About 65 tons of solid waste was in danger of falling into a nearby subsistence river due to erosion.
Nightmute is located on Nelson Island at the southwestern coast of Alaska, 105 miles west of Bethel. Historically, Yup’ik Eskimos occupied this area for over 2,000 years and are known as “Qaluyaarmiut” (Dip net People). Nelson Island provides habitats for a variety of fish and wildlife that many surrounding villages share for fishing, hunting, and subsistence gathering. Here, the Native Village of Nightmute and IGAP staff showcase three community accomplishments.
Nightmute was very fortunate to have an IGAP grant when environmental disaster almost hit our most valued subsistence river. IGAP staff quickly moved to educate the community about the 65 tons of solid waste bound to fall into the river. In 2003, the ice wasn’t thick enough for heavy equipment to cross the river to push the trash inland as usual. So people worked together and tackled the problem. No grants were applied for, there was no time to seek funds, it was a crisis. With little funds, the community of Nightmute prevented this near-disaster. A valuable lesson was learned that with or without funds, we can accomplish a lot if people put their minds together.
In 2005, we were still facing serious solid waste issues. Project goals were developed to: Store the cleanup trash a safe distance away from the riverbank, Reduce animal interaction, Eliminate blowing trash and Contain the dump-site trash through the creation of berm and balefill. IGAP staff researched grants and received an award in 2007 from Denali Commission. The project was managed and operated at the local level. NTC IGAP staff partnered with Zender Environmental for guidance and direction. This is a good project for all villages on moving their landfills back from the eroding river.
In 2007 and 2008 we have contained, a total of 772 supersacks, collected 1,982 pounds of recyclable cans, 8,145 pounds of lead acid batteries, 3,000 pounds of electronic wastes, 551 pounds of fluorescent lights including regular bulbs, 30 gallons of PCB ballasts and 15 gallon Non-PCB ballasts. We stockpiled scrap metals, separated bulky items and created a 285 ft x 386 ft berm using Supersacks, which moved the trash 127 feet from the river bank. We commend our seven member clean up crew for their part in these accomplishments. No heavy equipment was used on any of these projects. The only motorized vehicle was an ATV Honda for hauling supersack to the berm. The majority of the work was human power. - Story and photos by John George and David Tulik
Nightmute dump site in 2008 following cleanup.
Native Village of Nightmute
Phone: (907) 647-6216
E-mail: nme_igap@yahoo.com
Spotlight: Quileute Nation, Washington
Before treatment: Knotweed had
grown 10 feet tall along the Dickey
River. Photo courtesy of Debbie
Preston, NWIFC.
The 640-acre reservation of the Quileute Nation lies at the mouth of the Quillayute River on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Western Washington.
In our remote area, fishable rivers are of utmost importance for tribal subsistence. IGAP has helped fund costly tools and new skills that help us maintain these rivers. The Quileute Nation has used IGAP funds to staff a grant writer, provide equipment and training, and to develop water quality monitoring programs.
We used IGAP funding to hire an in-house trainer in Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. GPS/GIS mapping is an essential part of our efforts to eradicate noxious knotweed in our treaty area.
Knotweed impairs riparian zones by replacing native trees and plants that provide cooling shade and otherwise contribute to stream, fish and wildlife health. It likely contributes to the influx of sediments into the water after winter storms, because it is less stabilizing than native plants. Knotweed leaf litter is lower in nutrient value than native plants, which degrades the stream food chain.
After treatment: A Quileute Nation
natural resources staff member
assesses a treated area one year
later. Photo courtesy of Debbie
Preston, NWIFC.
Quileute uses GPS/GIS mapping to record locations of knot-weed outbreaks and areas of control. After a site is treated for knotweed, it needs to be revisited for several years. It can be difficult to find the site again, especially when the landscape changes. When streams move, knotweed can establish itself in new areas. GPS coordinates enable the tribe to follow up on treated areas as well as detect new outbreaks.
So far, we have controlled more than 9.5 river miles of infestation on the Dickey River, covering more than 30 acres of riparian area. We also have controlled more than 10 miles of riparian area along the banks of Calawah River and assisted Clallam County in controlling more than 40 miles of riparian habitat along the Sol Duc River.
Last season, we initiated control efforts covering approximately 9 miles of riparian habitat along the Bogachiel and 5 miles along the Quillayute River. In all, close to 70 miles of riparian habitat has seen at least an initial treatment within the Quillayute watershed with the Dickey, Calawah, and Sol Duc systems expected to be virtually knotweed free this year. - By Katie Krueger, Environmental Policy Analyst
Quileute Nation
P.O. Box 279 LaPush, WA 98350
(360) 374-6163
www.quileutenation.org