 | 1. Introduction
| 1.1. Planning Process
Title:Planning Process   
 The Chignik Bay Community Plan is a comprehensive plan used to address local planning and development initiatives for the village of Chignik Bay. This Community Plan will also be instrumental in the sub-regional planning for the village consortium consisting of Chignik Bay Tribal Council and Chignik Lake Tribal Council. The Community Plan is essential to community development and will serve as a catalyst for local development.
A series of planning sessions occurred during the development of this community plan.
On October 28, 2004, a sub-regional planning meeting was sponsored by the Chignik Bay Tribal Council. Participants included representatives from Chignik Bay, Chignik Lake, Chignik Lagoon, Ivanoff Bay, Perryville, Port Heiden, Pilot Point, Ugashik, Norqest Seafoods, SWAMC, BBNA, BBAHC, BBNC, DOT, Lake and Peninsula Borough and Northern Management. Anthony Caole of Northern Management provided an overview of the ANA funding program and the online community plans for Chignik Bay and Chignik Lake.
On March 9, 2005, a community wide planning session and tribal sponsored dinner took place in Chignik Bay. Guests included Anthony Caole of Northern Management/CE2 and Del Conrad from Rural Alaska Fuel Services (RAFS), both of Anchorage.
Anthony Caole facilitated the planning session and attendees participated in a series Visions, Values and Critical Issues exercises. The discussions addressed the future growth of Chignik, issues of today, community values and capital projects. The results of the exercises are contained in the plan sections that follow.
The Chignik Bay Lead Planning Coordinator, TJ Aklin, supplied photos and valuable local input.
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| | 1.2. Acknowledgements
Title:Acknowledgements
The Chignik Bay Tribal Council would like to thank all individuals, local entities, regional service providers and agencies for contributing to the development of the online community plan. The Tribe would like to particulary acknowlege the efforts of Trudy Aklin, local Planning Coordinator for the Tribe and all the community residents and and other interested individuals for participating in the planning sessions and providing the valuable input.
Primary funding for the Comprehensive Community Plan was provided by a grant from Administration for Native Americans with matching support provided by the following entities:
Chignik Bay Tribal Council that contributed time and research into developing the plan.
Northern Management who provided technical support and assisted in the development of the Community Plan, while Bizware Online Applications developed the online planning platform.
Lake and Peninsula Borough also provided valuable information from their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy plan for Chignik Bay.
Photographs were also provided by the State of Alaska, Community Photo Library.
Information was also provided by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District website.
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| | 1.3. Plan Update Assignments
Title:Plan Update Assignments
Updates to the Community Plan shall be made annually and shall occur no later than January 1 of each year.
The following agencies are responsible for reviewing and updating their facility inventory & analysis annually; Chignik Bay respectfully requests that an individual be identified within each regional organization with reporting responsibilities. If information is current, then the agency should make an annotation to the section stating so.
Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation: Section 3.3.3 and 4.11
Lake & Peninsula Schools: Sections 3.3.5 and 4.7
Alaska Communications Systems & GCI: Section 4.15
State of Alaska Dept. of Transportation, Airports Division: Section 4.16
Bristol Bay Housing Authority: Section 3.3.1 and 4.1
Alaska Energy Authority: Sections 4.21
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium: Sections 4.23
Lake and Peninsula Borough: Section 3.3.4
In addition, any consultants conducting feasibility studies, plans, or similar community development plans are required to consult the Tribe's Community Plan. To the extent feasible, updates to the facility inventory and analysis, additional and more detailed project descriptions, etc. should be incorporated into the Community Plan as subsections to the plan. Contact the Chignik Bay Tribal Council for a user i.d., password, and editing instructions.
In addition, all agencies, the public, and consultants are encouraged to post questions and annotations to the plan (comments & project updates) throughout the year, particularly before summer construction activities.
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| | 2. Community Profile
Title:Community Profile
 The community of Chignik is located on Anchorage Bay on the south shore of the Alaska Peninsula. It lies 450 miles southwest of Anchorage and 260 miles southwest of Kodiak. It lies at approximately 56.295280° North Latitude and -158.40222° West Longitude. (Sec. 07, T045S, R058W, Seward Meridian.) Chignik is located in the Aleutian Islands Recording District. The area encompasses 11.7 sq. miles of land and 4.2 sq. miles of water. Chignik has a maritime climate characterized by cool summers and warm, rainy winters. Cloud cover and heavy winds are prevalent during winter months. Summer temperatures range from 39 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures average 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation averages 127 inches, with an average snowfall of 58 inches.
Photo By: TJ Aklin
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| 2.1. History and Setting
Title:History and Setting of Community: Community & Sub-region
 Chignik Bay is a small remote fishing village tucked away on the wet, wind swept chilly coast of Alaska, it sits between layers of old Scandinavian ways and Russian Aleut traditions, which is torn up against modern glories. Chignik is located at Anchorage Bay on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula roughly 450 miles southwest of Anchorage and 250 miles southwest of Kodiak Island.
In the winter, when time never ends, the browns and tans of the alder twigs and dead grass are the only colors you see. Summer is entirely different, with clean and clear waterfalls gushing straight down the mountain. The ocean beach is the place to play when the tide is out. The aroma of salt air and kelp tickle your nose. The jagged mountains and rolling green hills harbor strong winds and constant moisture. The village pulses in May, June, July and August. This is the red salmon season. Then at the peak of fall, a drastic silence falls upon the village. People tend to leave this quiet little community right after they harvest their share of the red salmon. They migrate to places that offer more job opportunities and social flair.
The village has survived because of the canneries. *Quote from Alaska Department of Fish & Game Annual Reports 1-7 1949-1955 pg 24. *In 1878 two canneries packed 8,159 cases of salmon in Alaska thereby launching an industry that was destined to become the largest in the territory.
In 1896 the Hume Bros.& Hume Co., built a cannery on the eastern side of Anchorage Bay. By 1904 it was purchased by North Western Fisheries Co. Through the years this area would always be referred to as Norwestern by the old timers.
The cannery on the town side was built in 1910 by Columbia River Packers, purchased by Alaska Packers Association in 1941, the cannery burned in 1976, and was leased to SEA Alaska in 1977, Aleutian Dragon Fisheries purchased it in 1985, NorQuest purchased the cannery in 1998, and Trident Seafoods purchased it in 2004.
Trident Seafoods purchased Chignik Pride Fisheries at the old Norwestern side site in 2002.
Although Trident purchased NorQuest Seafoods in 2004 it is still being operated by and under the name NorQuest.
The water supply for the community of Chignik is supplied by Trident/NorQuest. The hydroelectric project at the cannery was originally constructed in 1947 when the new owners of the cannery, Alaska Packers Association, were granted a permit to build a timber dam on Indian Creek. According to the 1950 Building Record, the project was constructed over three years and the dam completed in 1948 and the pipeline constructed in 1949. Evidently, a turbine was placed in a small shed on the beach in 1948-49; however, the turbine is no longer present in that location, most likely because of the 1976 fire. Currently the turbine is located on the corner of the processing plant with the diesel generators.
Facilities and operation of the dam; it is 16.5 feet high and made of timber at the outlet of Upper Lake (a.k.a Indian Lake), creating a reservoir with a surface area of approximately 20.4 acres at the maximum reservoir elevation of 431 feet, a channel spillway, a 7,700-foot-long wood-stave and steel pipeline, a 60 kilowatt generating unit inside the fish plant.
Indian Lake also serves as a domestic water supply for the community of Chignik which taps into the pipeline and diverts water from the pipeline above the cannery.
Indian Creek is approximately 3.5 miles long and drains generally north-northwest from an elevation of 1,200 feet to sea level where it discharges into Anchorage Bay.
The Alaska Peninsula has experienced over 8,000 years of prehistoric occupation, but little evidence of it has come from the Chignik vicinity. At the time of Russian contact the boundary between Aleut and Yupik speakers was 30-50 miles west of Chignik, so the oldest archaeological evidence could reflect either culture. Little is known about the prehistory of Anchorage Bay, where modern Chignik is located.
In the late 1700's and early 1800's, Russian fur-traders sailed into the waters of the Aleutian Islands and Alaska Peninsula, on to Kodiak and beyond. The pacific coast of the Alaska Peninsula appeared to be all but abandoned in 1871. When Russian domination evaporated after 1867, some communities in the Kodiak region fragmented and left to resettle distant areas that had been formerly depopulated.
The nearest such region to Anchorage Bay was about 25 miles southwest - Mitrofinia, which was occupied in the 1890's.
Several studies have been conducted to determine and locate cultural and archeological sites with the Chignik region and near the airport. A survey was conducted for the Chignik airport in 1976 and another in 1980. Then, the Alaska District of the Army Corp of Engineers contracted cultural resource professionals to perform a cultural resource assessment of hydropower projects in Alaska (Steele 1982) The Corps contracted another survey in 1984 and in 1996 the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) recorded the site of Andersonville, a cluster of Native homes west of the cannery on the southwest side of Anchorage Bay.
A 1976 survey conducted in the Chignik region for the Chignik airport located one site near the proposed airport airstrip (Reger and Dixon 1977). This archeological survey found a large site affiliated with archeological traditions dating back 4,000 years.
A 1979 building inventory of the cannery indicated 56 facilities of possible historic significance. By 2004, five of these buildings had been destroyed or burned by fire. The facility, which began operation in 1910, is evidently the oldest continuously used fish processing facility in Alaska and is significant at the local level due to its association with a broad trend or pattern of events important to Alaska and Chignik history. The cannery and the fishing industry it reflects have been the central element in the lives of Chignik villages for the last 94 years.
Chignik incorporated and became a second class city in 1983. Prior to this the Chignik Village council was the only active local government. With the incorporation of second class status a waterline and sewer line were installed for the first time. Before these installations homes were on septic tanks and a waterline fed from the Alaska Packers cannery. Not all homes had running water. During the winter months most lines would freeze due to the fact the small water pipe used back then was barely buried under ground. Since the installation of the then new water and sewer lines back in 1983 there are no more freeze ups during the winter.
Many residents hold dual residency in either Kodiak or Anchorage, migrating to the villages for the summer salmon season. This pattern is in part due to the lack of employment. In the past, it was due to lack of further education and employment within the village. Now with the school system offering education up to the 12th grade, some families choose to stay.
There are currently 60 houses in Chignik, either single family, HUD or apartments. Of these 60 only 30 are occupied. There are a few HUD houses vacant and there are some abandoned houses. (the abandoned houses have not been counted in this particular survey of homes)
Besides fishing there are few other jobs in the community. The City of Chignik employs six, the post office employs two, the school employs five, BBNA four through the Village Tribal office, Clinic two through BBAHC. The cannery usually keeps a watchman on the property year around. Currently four people at Trident/NorQuest.
Currently the City of Chignik has contracted with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to replace the water and sewer systems in Chignik. They have hired about 12 laborers/operators in 2004.
During the summer months more people arrive with the fishing season. A Bed & Breakfast was just opened in the summer of 2004. A bakery is also located in Chignik but operates only during the fishing season. The Trident Cannery opens a small general store during the summer months, and closes in the fall for the winter. The cannery store is open to the public.
Chignik's population may be few... these hearty souls hang on to traditional village values that city living cannot extract. These people are strong and proud. Quality way of life is their way of life. Fishing will always be a part of their lives.
Photo By: TJ Aklin
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Title:Sub-region
 The Chignik Area is an extremely remote region, located on the Alaska Peninsula, consisting of three Alaska Native villages: Chignik (a.k.a. Chignik Bay), Chignik Lake, and Chignik Lagoon, with a combined year-round population of approximately 300 people, and a significant transient, non-Native population in Chignik Bay as a result of the several hundred workers that come to Chignik to work in the canneries. The area is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources, so abundant that when the tide goes out, “the grocery store is open,” as the locals say.
“The Chigniks,” are located on the southern side of the Alaska Peninsula 450 miles southwest of Anchorage and 260 miles southwest of Kodiak. They are characterized by a maritime climate with cool summers and warm, rainy winters. In the late 1700’s a village called “Kalwak” predated modern day Chignik but was destroyed during the Russian fur trade. Subsequently, Chignik was established in the late 1800’s as a fishing village and cannery. 60.8% of the village is of Alutiiq descent.
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| | 2.2. Values, Vision, & Critical Issues
Title:Values, Vision, & Critical Issues
As part of the planning process, the Chignik Bay Planning Coordinator solicited the input of youth, adults, and elders alike to determine the community's opinion on current values, visions, and critical issues facing the community.
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| 2.2.1. Values
Title:Values
At a planning session, participants were asked to identify three things that they felt made Chignik Bay a special place to live. The purpose was to identify positive factors vs. negative factors. A number of responses were received and are as follows:
• Fishing
• Subsistence resources
• Freedom
• Remoteness
• Education
• Cultural values
• Children, elders and people
The scenic beauty of Chignik was mentioned several times. Many residents value the remoteness and the quietness of the village from the outside world, while all of the residents who were polled value the subsistence fishing for salmon, halibut, cod and crab as well as other harvesting activities such as berry picking.
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| | 2.2.2. Vision
Title:Introduction
 In the Fall of 2004, the Chignik Bay Tribal Council received funding from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) to strengthen the Tribe's administrative capacity as well as to develop a comprehensive community plan to guide development in the community. This plan meets both the requirements of the ANA grant, and the Denali Commission, which now requires that a community plan be in place as the core eligibility criterion for funding beginning FY 2005. This plan is unique in that it was written entirely online with contributions from a number of individuals, agencies, and consultants. This community plan is also unique as it has been developed with an online system that allows for updates to be made as soon as new information is received and is immediately available for public viewing.
Photo By: A. Caole
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Title:Vision
"To achieve, improve, and safeguard our subsistence cultural way of life and maintain a quality way of living in our community."
The community members of Chignik Bay were polled on what they, the residents, believe will improve the quality of life in their community. The following are the results of the poll from both the youth and the elders of the community:
• Video center, library and computers more entertainment, exercise building with exercise equipment
• Gravesites fixed up
• Tutoring program during the summer for our kids
• Bank/ATM machine
• Spa/facial boutique/shop
• Emergency siren system for both sides of the villages
• Grocery/hardware store
• Airport expansion,/runway lights/small terminal
• Coffee shop/restaurant/bakery/seafood restaurant to utilize our own seafood
• Garage/gas station
A planning meeting was conducted on March 9, 2005. The participants completed a "Vision" survey.
Many of the respondents had the same concerns especially for needing a store in the community. There was hope for the return of a strong fishing industry and a better airport facility as well as more jobs for local people. Locals would like an emergency shelter on each side of the bay. There was concern with the inter-tie road and the chance of rapid development, much more than the community could handle at this time.
The following are the results of the visioning session:
• Two tsunami shelters
• New community hall
• Store
• Chignik Road Inter-tie
• Self-sustaining community
• Year round ferry service
• Better airport
• Increased employment opportunities for the youth
• Residents remain here for both summer and winter seasons
• More community activities
• Return of a lucrative fishing industry and the creation of more jobs from fishing
• New fire hall
• Space for kids to meet- Youth Center
• Road system
• Deep sea port
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Title:Visions: Perspectives from Chignik Bay's Future Leaders
In October 2004, the local school children were asked what they would like to see in Chignik's future. The following summarizes their input as provided by them, the future the leaders:
*Improve airport runway for cargo jets to land
*Establish a local flying service to have direct flights to Anchorage
*Develop a business that community members can work during the winter months - perhaps this business would attract people to stay and work in Chignik
*Community Co-op store - this would provide jobs
*Elder facility (to keep elders in village like a nursing home) this would create jobs
*Mini campus/dorms
-- take college courses
-- get training
*Beauty shop/Espresso shop
*Factory where fishermen and women make their fish into a product like smoked packaged fish
*Veterinarian clinic, animal kennel/shelter for the Chigniks and surrounding villages
*We need a STORE all year; We need a tsunami shelter
*Starbucks
*Widen the airport, lengthen the airport, ski lodge, hunting lodge, new airport building
*New post office, new dock, new community hall, beauty shop and nail shop
*Roads connecting villages, better airport, tsunami shelter, grocery store, teen center, movie theater, skate park for BMX, roller blading, skateboards, first care hospice for elders
*Apartment building, Starbucks with a beauty salon
*Tsunami shelter across the bay with a road
*Swimming pool at the school, ammo store, pet store, Taco Bell, bigger playgound, hospital, Chucky Cheese
*Walmart, raise the price of fish, bigger school, more food for the elders
*Dog pound, horse ranch, flower shop, Pizza Hut, Burger King, McDonalds, mall, AC store, Chinese restaurant
*Merry Go Round - Trampoline; A swimming pool for everyone a restaurant
*Make a program for the youth in the winter time so they can make some money and a summer program to make money; Get real cement roads; Have a basketball and volleyball court open year-round
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| | 2.2.3. Critical Issues
Title:Critical Issues (Goals)
During a planning session, participants identified critical issues or goals that need to be addressed. They are:
Number one goal:
To achieve, improve, safeguard our subsistence cultural way of life and maintain a quality way of living in our community.
In respect to development I echo my forefathers when I say, "We would like to see the quality of our life improve, but not our way of life." TJ Aklin.
The community would like to see at least two emergency tsunami shelters one for each side of the bay. At the present time there is no shelter, the one that was built is now being used as a city office.
The community would like to see some of the current facilities updated to meet future demands. They stress how important it is to get the city dock completed. The need for a new post office - current facility is not adequate for present needs. The landfill is no longer environmental friendly. Airport has always needed runway lights. There is no public facility at the airport-- people must run to the bushes. Erosion control must be addressed soon.
20 year needs:
* New Sub-Regional Clinic
* City Dock
* Small Boat Harbor
* Two Tsunami Shelters with supplies
* New Solid Waste Dump/Incinerator
* New Post Office
* Grocery Store
* Improved Airport Needs i.e runway lights/bldg for passengers, restroom facilities
* Improved Roads & more street lights
* Water Truck for Dust Control
* Power - Electric Improvements
* Public Safety - update bldg
* FireHall - update bldg
* Library
* Subsistence Bldg - finish
* Cemetery
* Multi Purpose Bldg
* New Church & Housing
* New Russian Church & Housing
* City & Tribal Offices Improved
* Day Care Facility
* Repair Foot Bridge
* Road Intertie
* Erosion Control
* New landfill
During the planning session there were discussions and varied responses to the following topics:
• Boat harbor and benefit or non-benefit to the city
• Lack of work causing the population decline
• Lack of activities for the kids
• Transportation issues such as; the dock and ferry service road intertie
• High energy costs concerned many
• Completion of projects
• Solid waste management
• Erosion of outside beach
• Larger runway with lights
• Outdated power utility
• Outdated cable televison
• Year round store
• Protecting and preserving the subsistence harvesting grounds
• Roads maintenance
Other issues and goals discussed were jobs, city finances, balancing growth, subsistence resources/lands, the fisheries co-op, diversifying the fisheries - tanner crab - king crab - limited entry, sub-regional hub and oil development. When it came to the newly formed CO-OP Fisheries most felt that it divided the community and attribute the decline in the population to the co-op. Many feel it has hurt Chignik rather than help it as the number of participants in the fishery has decreased and with less people in the community it has caused a decline in revenue for the city. People feel things are going backwards rather then forward.
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| | 2.3. Population & Demographics
Title:Existing Population, Demographics & Population Forecast
The current population of Chignik Bay is ninety-two. This is due to the scarcity of jobs. People are moving elsewhere to find jobs as the commercial fishing industry has reached a low point in recent years.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Chignik Bay had 79 inhabitants. A significant 60.8% of its inhabitants were, completely or in part, Native Alaskan or American Indians, 32.9% white and 2.5% Asian. A small 1.3% of the population was of Hispanic origin. All the permanent residents of the village lived in 29 households. Fifty-one housing units were vacant in the community and of those forty-two were vacant due to seasonal use.
The 20 year population projection for Chignik, at a growth rate of 1.01%, is as follows:
Year Projected Population
2005 92
2006 93
2007 94
2008 95
2009 96
2010 97
2011 98
2012 99
2013 100
2014 101
2015 102
2016 103
2017 104
2018 105
2019 106
2020 107
2021 108
2022 109
2023 110
2024 111
2025 112
In the year 2000, this was a very middle-age community with a median age of 36.3 years (US median 35.3). A high percent of 25.3% of the population was under 19 years old. In the year 2000 Chignik Bay had approximately the same number of females (46.8%) as males (53.2%). Chignik Bay does not show up in the Censuses until the 1880s. The historical analysis of the censuses depicts a community that experienced quick growth spurt and declines of population. Of the population age 25 years and older a total of 25.9% did not complete high school, 25.9% graduated from high school, 31.5% had some college education but no degree, 3.7% with Associates Degrees, and 13% received a bachelor's degree or higher.
CHIGNIK BAY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT (As of October 2004)
According to the official school enrollment count for 2004-2005, Chignik Bay School has an enrollment of fourteen (14) students and the grades are as follows:
* Kindergarten - 2
* First Grade - 1
* Second Grade - 1
* Third Grade -0
* Fourth Grade -2
* Fifth Grade- 2
* Sixth Grade - 0
* Seventh Grade - 2
* Eighth Grade - 1
* Ninth Grade - 1
* Tenth Grade - 1
* Eleventh Grade - 0
* Twelfth Grade - 1
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| | 2.4. Economic Trends & Statistics
Title:Economic Trends & Statistics
 As is typical of villages in the region, commercial fishing and subsistence activities are the mainstays of the economy. Sixteen residents hold commercial fishing permits. Two fish processing plants operate in Chignik: Norquest and Trident Seafoods. Salmon and halibut are processed here; several hundred people come to Chignik to fish or work in the plants each summer. Residents depend on subsistence foods, including salmon, trout, crab, clams, caribou and moose.
The employment structure shows that 58.3% of the potential labor force is employed, 29.2% is unemployed and 16.9% is not seeking jobs. The singularity of these results, as well as its accuracy to represent social reality needs to be understood in the context of a community completely dominated by a seasonal industry. Censuses, with their tendency to project a \'snapshot\' of a community are not well equipped to represent communities that in fact are extremely variable across the year. An staggering 26.7% of the population is below the line of poverty. The per capita income was $13,843 with the median household income having been $34,250 in Chignik Bay in the year 2000.
During the March 2005 planning session, residents were quick to point out that Chignik's past and future will always be tied in some shape, way or form to the renewable resources teeming offshore. Residents suggested diversifying their fisheries, buying back IFQ's possibly through a CQE (Community Quota Entity), and pursuing limited entry of other fisheries.
Public testimony at the planning session indicated mixed feelings about the newly formed Chignik Fisheries Cooperative. Some believe that the Co-op has led to a net decline in overall jobs in the community, due to the limited number of vessels participating in the Co-op.
There was considerable interest in leveraging Chignik's position as a subregional hub for the area, particularly once the Chignik Road Intertie project is completed.
Photo By: TJ Aklin
Trident Dry Dock Storage
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| | 2.5. HUD LMI
Title:Hud LMI & Distressed/Not Distressed Status & Denali Commission Sustainability Criteria
 Funding organizations such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Department (HUD) and the Denali Commission(DC)use family income levels to determine the required local cost share on projects.
The Denali Commission adopted the Distressed Community Criteria as part of its project funding evaluation. The following criteria are used to determine if a community is distressed:
1. Per capita market income no greater than 67% of the U.S. Average.
2. 150% of the U.S. Average or greater of Poverty Rate.
3. 3 year unemployment rate at 150 percent of the U.S. average or greater or have twice the U.S. poverty rate and qualify on one other indicator.
DC may fund up to 80% of a project for communities that are designated as distressed and up to 50% of a project for communities determined to be undistressed. Since Chignik is currently designated as a non-distressed community, Chignik Bay may not receive more than 50% for a project funded by DC. Chignik Bay has petitioned the Denali Commission for a review of its undistressed status and has requested the Denali Commission to increase its pro-rated share of funding.
The Indian Community Development Block Grant Program sponsored by HUD uses low-and-moderate income percentages as one of the criteria to determine if a project benefits the neediest population and should be funded. Projects benefitting communities with higher LMI percentages receive more points in the evaluation process than those benefitting communities with lower LMI percentages.
The economic status of the residents of Chignik Bay has decreased significantly since the recent fisheries disasters. The Chignik Bay Tribal Council conducted door-to-door surveys to identify the current demographic and income levels of the community. The results of the surveys show Chignik Bay has a Low-and-Moderate Income (LMI) percentage of 87% which is much higher than the 53% published by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
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| | 2.6. Climate
Title:Climate
Chignik has a maritime climate characterized by cool summers and warm, rainy winters. Cloud cover and heavy winds are prevalent during winter months. Summer temperatures range from 39 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures average 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation averages 127 inches, with an average snowfall of 58 inches.
The summer months of June through August typically have a lot of fog, rain and wind. Temperatures are moderate and on the warm side, averaging around the high 50's.
Winters are mild with the average temperature lingering around the 30's. Usually from January through March there may be large amounts of snow fall, chased immediately by rain. Significant snow falls are normal but don't last long. High winds that could last for days and cause structural damage are normal for this coastal location.
High tides are typical for November through January. The location of the church is threatened by flooding during this time.
Brief discription of a typical day in Chignik; it may start out foggy and calm in the morning, by mid-morning it breaks then the sun may peek through. By afternoon it could turn to strong winds and pouring rain. Or it could be snowing/raining (depending on the season) a howling gale in the morning and by evening be as warm and sunny as can be.
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| | 2.7. Geology, Soils, and Slope
Title:Geology, Soils, and Slope
 Chignik lies approximately 40 miles east of the volcano Mt. Veniaminof. The area is characterized by long mountain slopes containing many steams. The land is mantled with thick deposits of volcanic ash and cinders. Depressions in the rolling slopes may contain muskeg. Brown to tan sandstone with seams of coal and conglomerate is dominate geologic formation.
Cultivation and construction are limited by the steep topography. Only 5% of the area is level. Soils on these slopes are well-drained loamy volcanic ash overlying sandy and cindery ash. These level areas contain poorly drained fibrous organic soils. A thin layer of volcanic ash is common within the top five feet of soil mantel.
Coastal flooding is predicted to occur once in 40 to 60 years. Permafrost is not a problem.
The ground and soil within the community mostly consists of marshy wetlands, pebble rock and sand. The ocean beach is rock, pebble and sand. Banks are of mud, rock and sand mixture. A creek runs through the townsite, which has been diverted and the road that goes through town is on top of a creek bed. Mountain run off of numerous waterfalls run on top of roads after heavy rains.
The original old village was built up on the hill across from Indian Creek. The cannery was built on the beach. As the population grew houses were built on top of stretches of land between creeks and wetlands.
Photo By: TJ Aklin
Waterfall above Airport Road
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| | 2.8. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Areas
Title:Fish and Wildlife Habitat Areas
The creek in the middle of the community leads into marshy wetlands and tidal salt/fresh brackish environment that ideally harbors Mallards, Shovel Nose, Canvas Backs and Pintails, Common Merganser, Bufflehead, and sea gulls, trout and humpys and an occasional land otter or two. Also small shore birds such as snipes. There was a sighting of a couple of swans in 2004 in the wetlands. Ptarmigan are in the area but are scarce.
The ducks nest in the ponds and wetlands within the community. Eagles are everywhere sitting on poles and squawking on the beaches. Ravens are a constant presence as are magpies. Great horned owls are also here but not seen or heard that often, only in the late fall. King fishers are present year around.
All through the fall Indian Creek has hundreds of humpy’s that return for spawning. The small creeks and streams along Airport Road also have fish in them that return to spawn. There are numerous packs of sea otters within Anchorage Bay. Seals are not that common but are seen occasionally in the Bay. Whales return usually in the spring.
An ordinary sight within in the community is to see bears roaming around in the spring, summer and fall. So much so they have started to damage people's property. They have become a problem at the dumpsite.
Foxes are a common sight all year long. There are numerous birds, the most common winter birds are chickadees and redpolls. During the summer we have Golden Crown Sparrows and Rosy Finches and numerous other sparrows.
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| | 2.9. Vegetation
Title:Vegetation
The vegetation in Chignik Bay is typical of remote Alaska, here we have low shrubbery, beach rye grasses, alders and willow. Alders and willows grow perhaps 20 to 25 feet high. There are no natural growing evergreen trees. The few evergreen trees are ones that have been transplanted from either Kodiak or Anchorage areas and growing in private yards. Considerable amount of salt/fresh/brackish marsh vegetation, within the village area considered wetlands. Wild flowers typical of Alaska bloom during the summer, such as dandelion, fireweed, iris, rose, lupine and horsetail. Salmonberries, cranberries, crowberries and blueberries are the only edible berries in the area. Strawberries grow very well if maintained.
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| | 2.10. Physical Hazards
Title:Physical Hazards
 As is indicated by the photo, high tides are constant during the winter months. When the tides are accompanied by wind storms, erosion on the outside beach and creek bed roads are a problem.
"On November 10, 1938 an earthquake shook the Chignik area for 6 minutes. It was 38 degrees out nice and calm in the morning."
Direct writings from Clara Wallin’s Day Book 1938.
“It was just twenty minutes past ten when the house began shaking like everything. ….just as we went out the kitchen door, the bricks began tumbling down behind us from the brick chimney in the kitchen. After the quake was over we went into the house and what a mess! Everything was scattered all over the floor. The roof on the house lifted about an inch or more. The house was full of soot. The earthquakes came pretty often during the afternoon and we noticed the tide was coming in awfully fast. It was so high it was right over the end of the dock. You could see the old ship that was wrecked here, way out beyond the Piles here and no more then it got out it came rushing right back again. After that second tide we had three more tides, but they weren’t so bad as the first and second ones. There were five tides altogether in one day. The earthquakes were coming every half hour before midnight. After midnight they were coming every hour.”
“November 11, 1938 Pretty good weather, the quakes are still coming now and then.
November 17, 1938 There was a light earthquake at six o’clock this morning.
Friday December 16, 1938 Weather rain again as usual. But lots of Southwest, Southeast and Northwest wind. What a mixup!”
In October 1948, a flood was estimated to be 14.1 ft (local datum) based on a report of 13 inches of water on the floor of the building that in 1992 was the Chignik Bible Chapel, and an 18-inch land rise due to the 1964 earthquake. More recent floods have reached, or nearly reached, the low cord of the cannery bridges crossing the former channel of Indian Creek. The local datum used was a spike in utility pole #12 on the south side of Harold Skonberg's house, which has an elevation of 15.50 ft. A spike in the utility pole nearest the south bridge abutment on West Third Avenue has an elevation of 12.25 ft.
In January 2000 an unusual amount of snow fell across the state of Alaska and the impact was felt in Chignik.
In March on Airport Road a portion of the road was closed due to an avalanche. Houses located close to the base of the mountain were evacuated for about two weeks. About seven families and the school were affected.
Although no houses were impacted they were advised by the State not to stay in their homes in case there were more avalanche areas. School had to be held in the Community Hall for the two weeks it took the State to clean up the alvanche area due to weather.
The distance that was under avalanche was roughly estimated to be about 300 feet.
Photo By: TJ Aklin
High tide - Bridge over Indian Creek
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| | 2.11. Current Land Status and Ownership
Title:Current Land Status and Ownership
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Land Status
ANCSA land has been conveyed to Far West,Incorporated, the Chignik Bay village corporation. It's 12(a) Land Entitlement is 115,200 acres and 12(b) Land Entitlement is 3,886 acres. The 14(c)(3) Status is completed and is surveyed but not yet recorded. Map of boundaries of approximately 1280 acres of 14(c)(3) lands has not been completed. There is no municipal land trust established.
The ANCSA 12(a) land entitlement to village corporation came from the federal government. ANCSA 12(b) land reallocated to village corporation from the Regional Native Corporation. Under ANCSA 14(c)(3), villages must reconvey surface estates to the local city government to provide for community use and expansion.
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| | 2.12. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats
Title:Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats
As part of the Lake & Peninsula Borough Overall Economic Development Plan, a SWOT analysis was conducted for Chignik. According to the SWOT analysis, the following were identified as the community's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats:
Strengths:
Year-round deep water port
Access to transportation
Boat Harbor construction in 1999
Access to State ferry system in summer
Experienced local labor force
Heavy Equipment
Water source for hydro-electric power
Beautiful scenery/physical setting/abundant wildlife
Low crime rate
No property/sales tax
School
Fisheries resources
Openness to change
Diversity of residents
Sub-regional clinic
Weaknesses:
Lack of roads and other transportation infrastructure
Not enough full time jobs/employment opportunities
Dependence on fishing industry...lack of diversification
Lack of sites for housing and commerical development
High fuel prices
Lack of public dock
Declining population
Availablity of services
High transportation costs
No cultural facilities
Proximity to markets
High cost of living
Seasonality fo fisheries/tourism markets
Opportunities:
Growing tourism industry
Expanding fisheries
Local arts and crafts
Charter boats
Coal mining
Threats:
Outside image of area
Current economic status
Fish processors who will only operate in the summer months
No reason for young people to stay in community
Lack of finanical aid to build needed infrastructure
Declining fish prices
PCE possibly curtailed
Welfare reform
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| | 3. Current Services & Service Providers
Title:Current Services & Service Providers
The current community services and its providers for Chignik Bay consist of the following: Bristol Bay Native Association's compacting programs with the Bureau of Indian Affairs 638; Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation which initiates one of its grants from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; Lake and Peninsula Borough; Lake and Peninsula School District; the Tribal Council generates revenues from various sources, the City of Chignik provides public utilities; the US Government runs the Post Office; Interact Ministries operates the local church; Trident Seafoods owns NorQuest Seafoods which processes halibut and salmon at their on-shore plant; Trident Seafoods opens a small general store during the summer months at their cannery.
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| 3.1. Tribal Services
Title:Tribal Services
 The Tribe operates a number of programs and services, primarily funded by Bureau of Indian Affairs and Environmental Protection Agency funding. In addition, the Tribe receives pass-through funding from its regional non-profit service providers to operate programs at the local level.
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| 3.1.1. TCSW / Social Services
Title:Tribal Children's Services Worker (TCSW) / Social Services
The welfare of our elders, children and families is the focus of BBNA’s Social Services division. Fifteen Tribal Children’s Service Workers (TCSWs) and three social workers work closely with tribes in Child In Need Aid Cases, a task that includes child protection casework and support for new and established tribal courts now operated by Aleknagik, Chignik Lake, Curyung, Koliganek, Manokotak and Togiak tribal councils.
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| | 3.1.2. Family Services Worker (FSW)
Title:Family Services Worker [BBAHC]
Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation out of Dillingham funds the Mental Health Program at Chignik Bay.
The position at Chignik is titled Family Service Worker/Alcohol & Drug Councilor.
The current individual has held the position for the previous nine years. She started with a 12 week training in Fairbanks. The position is required to attend one to two week trainings six times per year.
The job is to orchestrate community functions such as potlucks, games/sewing class and other additional fun things for the adults, children and special attention given to elders along with Food and Public Assistance along with the duties of Family Service Worker and Alcohol & Drug Councilor. In early 2005 a few more tasks were added to her duties; Denali Kid Care/Medicaid Assistance.
BBAHC pays $200 a month towards the rent and fuel bill. The rest of the expenses such as electricity, water, sewer, phone and fax are picked up by the Tribal Council.
It is the Tribes intent to house Mental Health and Social Service positions in the new clinic.
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| | 3.1.3. NAHASDA
Title:NAHASDA
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) provides better housing for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
The Chignik Bay Tribal Council receives funds from HUD for weatherization projects and other minor emergencies, such as fuel purchases for eligible applicants. Last year the Tribe completed weatherization upgrades on two homes and this year completed one house upgrade. To apply for NAHASDA funds you must fill out an application and the Tribe forwards it on to Bristol Bay Housing Authority. There it is reviewed to see if it meets the qualifications demanded by HUD. To be qualified you must be a year round resident of Chignik Bay, a Chignik Bay Tribal member be determined low income, or your home is not up to HUD standards.
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| | 3.1.4. Senior Transport
Title:Senior Transport
 In September 2002 the Rasmuson Foundation Board came to Chignik Bay and met with the Chignik Bay Tribal Council and community members. The Rasmuson Foundation is known for it's charitable donations towards the improvements of the quality of life for people. The Chignik Bay Tribal Council applied for one of their grants for a vehicle for the senior citizens of Chignik Bay. In November 2003 the Tribal council received enough funds from the Rasmuson Foundation to purchase a Chevy Astro Van. It was delivered in April 2003. This generous donation has made it possible for the seniors to have fast reliable transportaion to the post office, health clinic, store for shopping and maybe just a leisurely ride about town.
Photo Description:
Back Row Left to Right
Benny Skonberg, Charlene Skonberg, Meta Carlson, Carl Carlson, Billy Stepanoff, Clara Stepanoff, Bob Livingston.
Front Row Left to Right
Tina Carlson, Rosilie Skonberg, Alva Carlson.
Photo Courtesy of: Chignik Bay Tribal Council
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| | 3.1.5. Recreation/Fitness
Title:Recreation/Fitness
The Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation has a Diabetes Prevention Program. Chignik Bay Tribal is signed up with BBAHC for funding of benefits for the community.
In 1999, BBAHC sent the Chignik Bay Tribal a treadmill which they put in the Community Hall for people to use. The Community Hall was chosen because there was no other suitable location available.
In August, 2004 a Bowflex arrived from BBAHC for the Diabetes Program. Since there was no other area suitable, it was put in the school gym. It is available for the public to use.
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| | 3.1.6. Emergency Funds
Title:Emergency Funds
The Chignik Bay Tribal Council offers an emergency fund for families in need for unexpected emergencies. For example, the emergency fund can pay for greivance airfare perhaps heating fuel to heat a home in a time of need.
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| | 3.1.7. Snowplowing
Title:Snowplowing / Tribal Heavy Equipment
In June of 2001, the Tribal Council purchased a 580SK Case 4X4 Backhoe and an International Dump Truck from AAA Equipment in Seattle, WA. The equipment was delivered in Chignik on the September 2001 state ferry.
The policy for use of the equipment for tribal members and non-tribal members is posted at the tribal office. Operators are hired at the decretion of the council. Non-tribal members must pay $20 per hour for use of the equipment plus fuel. Tribal and non-tribal members are responsible for minor damage repairs, such as flat tires, broken hoses, etc.
Uses include clearing snow from driveways, digging ditches, holes and other light yard work.
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| | 3.1.8. Emergency Medical Training
Title:Emergency Medical Training
Emergency Medical Training is sponsored by the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation for Chignik Bay. Every two years they schedule medical staff to train indiviuals in EMT/ETT in the community. Every two years refresher courses need to be taken. Chignik Bay Tribal offers to pay for these services to any member of the community.
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| | 3.1.9. Environmental Services & Wetlands
Title:Environmental Services & We |
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