SEF¥V A healthier; cleaner Chalkyitsik Village:
GAP funds noteworthy
efforts	Chalkyitsik Village Council
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
December 2015
Indian Environmental General Assistance Program
Success Story
After learning about the harmful health impacts from hazardous wastes, Chalkyitsik
Village prioritized the creation of a recycling program. They started small in 2012 by
recycling bottles, cans, appliances and electronics wastes. Since then, they expanded
to recycling thousands of pounds of white goods (large appliances like dishwashers,
freezers, etc.), shipping totes full of hazardous lead acid batteries, electronic wastes (like
computers and televisions), florescent light bulbs, abandoned vehicles, and other items.
Chalkyitsik, AK
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Map data ©2015 Google, INEGI
Recycled Materials
2013-2015
Geared up for lead acid battery recycling
Items
Pounds

estimated
White Goods
26,031
Small Appliances and Scrap Metal
4,589
Electronics
3,610
Batteries
3,100
Propane Bottles
1,600
Junk Vehicles, Tires & other
1,198
Bottles and Cans
864
Printer ink cartridges & toner
697
Florescent Light Bulbs
418
Clothing
286
Total
42,393
Racheal Lee ofTanana Chiefs Conference and
Patricia Salmon of Chalkyitsik Village
Photo: courtesy of Patricia Salmon
Like many rural Alaskan communities, Chalkyitsik is not on the road system, thus transporting recyclables out
of the village can be challenging and requires ingenuity. When the tribes' housing program charters a plane to
deliver building materials, they send some of the recyclables out on the return flight - demonstrating just one
way, Chalkyitsik, like other remote communities, address this unique challenge.
How has the project made a difference in the community? Patricia Salmon, Chalkyitsik Village's Environmental
Planner responds, "I think we've cleaned up a lot. It's not an eyesore anymore, and it's better health wise."
<^> Continued
Items Staged for Recycling

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A healthier, cleaner Chalkyitsik Village: GAP funds noteworthy recycling efforts
O Continued
Chalkyitsik Village just completed construction of a new recycling center, and with the capacity they've
developed through their GAP grant, they are collaborating with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to
use State of Alaska Capital Improvement Project funds to build a state-permitted landfill and access road.
Partners & Support
Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling
Bottles and cans recycling
http://www.alparalaska.com/wp
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Technical assistance with grant applications, and
landfill planning and design
http://anthctoday.org
Everts Air Cargo
Shipping recyclables (backhaul)
http://www.evertsair.com
K&K Recycling
Recycling and disposing of lead acid batteries, white
goods, scrap metal and propane bottles
http://kandkrecycling.net
OfficeMax
Recycling printer ink cartridges and copier toner
http://www.officedepot.com/storelocator/ak/
fairbanks/officemax-6466
Tanana Chiefs Conference
Technical assistance with lead acid battery packaging
for shipment
https://www.tananachiefs.org
Total Reclaim
Appliances, florescent light bulbs, and electronics
waste recycling
http://www.totalreclaim.com
Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council
Shipping recyclables
http://www.yritwc.org
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Community Profile: Chalkyitsik
Population: 77
Culture: Traditional Gwich'in Athabascan village, with a subsistence lifestyle.
Location: Chalkyitsik is located on the Black River about 50 miles east of Fort Yukon.
Transportation: Access is primarily by air; there is a gravel runway. Residents own ATVs, snow machines, and
skiffs for fishing, hunting, and recreation. No roads connect Chalkyitsik with other villages, although there is
a winter trail to Fort Yukon. It is accessible by small riverboat.
Source: State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Community Database
		
EPA Region 10's Commitment to Federally Recognized Tribes
EPA Region 10 is committed to helping tribes strengthen their abilities to manage environmental programs in
Indian country, and to ensure that tribes have a voice in decisions that affect their land, air and water. Region
10 serves 271 federally recognized tribes in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The goal of the EPA IGAP
grant program is to assist tribes and intertribal consortia in developing the capacity to manage their own envi
ronmental protection programs, and to develop and implement solid and hazardous waste programs in accor-
dance with individual tribal needs and applicable federal laws and regulations.
http://www2.epa.gov/tribal/region-10-tribal-program
http://www2.epa.gov/tribal/indian-environmental-general-assistance-program-gap
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More Information
Chalkyitsik Village Environmental Planner
Patricia Salmon
Chalkyitsik Village 0) 907-848-8618 or 907-848-8117
EPA Grant: Indian General Assistance Program (GAP)
EPA Project Officer: Sherry Kimmons
(3) 907-271-6322^0 kimmons.sherry@epa.gov
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