Introduction

Purpose

The Quinhagak Online Community Development Plan is an amalgamation of planning efforts spanning a 10+ year period, beginning with 1994 Utti & Associates City of Quinhagak Economic and Community Development Plan, the 1999 Kwinhagak Capital and Land Use Plan prepared by David Nairne & Associates, the Native Village of Kwinhagak Piped Water and Sewer Feasibilty Study prepared by CRW Engineering Group in 2001, the Long Range Transportation Plan developed by David Nairne & Associates, and the 2003 and 2006 updates of the community's capital plan. The intent is to develop a structure utilizing a web-based system to provide continuous updating of the community's long term community development and program goals, as well as the status of the community's infrastructure development.

The plan is designed to aid local leaders in the community's continued growth, organization, and development, as well as ensure local residents that a comprehensive and permanent plan is easily accessible and representative in guiding the decision-making and future needs assessments by local leaders.

Though growth and development are vital to our community, the people of Quinhagak are deeply committed to preserving, practicing, and protecting our land, environment, culture, traditions and heritage which strengthen both our people and our future.

Acknowledgements

This plan was spearheaded by Henry and Toni Mark (Tribal Administrator, and General Administrator) with the assistance of Northern Management and a dedicated team utilizing Docmeister as the developmental tool. The Native Village of Kwinhagak would like to thank all individuals, local entities, regional service providers and agencies for contributing to the development of the online community plan.

Primary funding for development of the Community Plan was provided from Coastal Villages Region Fund, which allocated 2006 and 2007 funds towards its completion.

The Native Village of Kwinhagak, and City of Quinhagak staff, contributed time and research into developing the plan. Northern Management provided technical support and assisted in the development of the Community Plan, while Bizware Online Applications developed the online planning system.

To the extent this plan borrows from narrative and documentation completed previously by others, appropriate credits will be noted in the relevant sections of the plan, including to CRW Engineering Group for all water, sewer, and solid waste sections, and David Nairne & Associates LTD for the airport management section and transportation needs analysis.

Quinhagak Online Planning System

The Utilization of Bizware Online Application's "Docmeister" online document editor has enabled the Quinhagak planning team to create this document online while other team members were able to view changes as they were being made. This synergistic planning created a more efficient and thorough document.

Utilization of an online planning system enables the Tribal and City staff to ensure that the community plan is timely and relevant. It also provides a means of communication of current project status to community residents and other relevant agencies.

It is our vision that this Online Community Plan becomes a living and active tool that continues to guide development in and throughout the Native Village of Quinhagak.

Historical Overview

Quinhagak is a long-established second class city whose origin has been dated to 1,000 A.D. The village is located on the Kanektok River on the east shore of Kuskokwim Bay. Quinhagak’s Yup'ik name is Kuinerraq, meaning "new river channel." The community is primarily Yup'ik Eskimos who practice a subsistence lifestyle. A Moravian Mission was built there in 1893, and in 1904 a mission store was opened. A post office was built in 1905 followed by a school in 1909. In 1915 the Kuskokwim River was charted, so that goods could be barged directly upriver to Bethel. In 1928, the first electric plant opened and in 1934 the first mail plane arrived. The City was incorporated in 1975 as a second class city in an unorganized borough. Native Village of Kwinhagak, under joint agreement with the City, is responsible for administration of the local government. NVK employees include a Tribal Administrator, Chief Financial Officer, Public Works Director, various clerks, WTP operators, and haul system drivers. Daily operations of public facilities are managed by the various department heads under the direction of the Tribal Administrator.

Quinhagak Community Vision

The Native Village of Kwinhagak’s Mission

1. Continue to improve the health and social welfare of our tribal membership;

2. Protect the land and natural resources within and surrounding our community;

3. Increase and enhance employment in economic development opportunities for our tribe and tribal members;

4. Provide better housing for our tribal members;

5. Preserve the integrity of the history, culture, language, and oral traditions of our people;

6. Promote the standards of excellence in the education of our children; and,

7. Nurture a sense of empowerment, of family and unity within the hearts and minds of our people in fulfilling our mission

Quinhagak Community Values

At two community gatherings beld on February 28, 2007 and March 17, 2007, community members who attended were asked to respond to the following statement:  "The 3 things that are very important to me, that make Quinhagak a special place to live no matter what else might happen are:" Below is a compilation of their responses.

Community Issues, Goals and Objectives Overview

At the two community meetings held on February 28, 2007 and March 17, 2007, community members who attended were asked to respond to the following statement: "The two things I would like to see NVK do for our village that would make it an even better place to live would be:" 

Below is a compilation of their responses:

• Provide opportunities for vocational education and traditional education.  On the one hand we can build capacity and on the other we balance it by retaining our culture.
  

• Build some rental units. Leverage opportunities for more businesses.  Perhaps develop a “Business Resource Center.”  Tourism might be good too.
  

• Improve living conditions.  Develop state of the art technologies for housing.  Become more progressive.
  

• Our natural resources are not taken for granted.  We should always appreciate these.  We take care of our natural resources.  The mountains and the caribou.  We teach our children to respect our natural resources.
  

• We combine work with play.  We tell stories to keep our history and cultural traditions alive and well.
  

• We enhance our moral values.  These are passed down from parent to child.  An example is the story of the “Black Raven that Turned White.”  A good story.
  

• Too many kids are having kids.  Educate our children and show them the right way.
  

• Community Service.  We can find a way for people who do not have an ability to pay to still contribute in a very positive way that adds values to our community.
  

• A Bank!  Maybe we can start our own bank.
  

• Commercial and Marine Pilots in the village.
  

• New AVEC plant.
  

• We look into alternative sources of energy.  Maybe wind or solar.
  

• We create a business district in the village.  This will keep it separate from residential.
  

• We reward and recognize the value of education.  People should have a GED or high school diploma to get a job in the village.  We educate parents on how important it is for them to support the school and their child at school.  Success would be: no drop outs, no truancy, no social ills in the village.  We need to create a motivating environment for them to perform and participate in school.
  

• We create more activities for youth.  We need to engage our youth in healthy activities.
  

• Volunteers to work with school and students.  This will help create a community focus.
  

• Instill the true spirit of volunteerism. Community involvement – volunteers – not for pay.
  

• We keep cultural traditions alive and well.
  

• Lets have more singing – in the community and in the family.
  

• Keep poles on the same side of the road as the homes that are to be built so there will be no cross over of power lines.  This would be a safety precaution.
  

• To the public works department.  There are a lot of crows at the dump in which they eat from and walk on.  Most likely they are infested with diseases.  They then go into the village and land on property and most likely spread germs.  Is there a way the City or NVK can deal with this?
  

• The Hopper issue.  Sometimes there is sewage around the hoppers.  The sewer man should clean and disinfect the area asap – especially during the summer.  When the area is not disinfected and it rains it drains into the ponds and the children play in the water.
  

• Provide more housing.
  

• Make curfew hours for snow machines and 4 wheelers especially during the winter because the trails are near the houses during the winter.
  

• Eliminate booze and drugs.
  

• Reduce sport fishermen.
  

• Airport search.
  

• Woman shelter for abused women and a shelter for kids that have no where to go.
  

• Water and sewer in every home. 
  

• Make VHF announcement for curfew everyday.

In April 2007, as part of the continued Community Planning process, eight focus groups sessions were convened.  The dimensions of planning included: Land Use; Education and Training; Health, Human Services & Public Safety; Public Works & Public Facilities/Infrastructure; Housing; Transportation; Natural Resources/Environment; Culture & Traditions.

The purpose of the focus groups was to identify where Quinhagak stood in terms of each planning dimension (current state) and then to brainstorm a list of issues and needs.  The results of the brainstorming were then clustered into common catagories which were then prioritized through the use of a multi vote.  For each planning dimension, the three or four with the most votes were determined to be the top priorities.

Once the top priorities were determined, each group brainstormed possible solutions. 

The focus group participants were made up of community members that represented as many interests as possible in the community.  Each focus group had at least 7 community members. The facilitators were the program directors. They led the focus group for their program. 

The following sections provide the results of the focus group workshops.

In November 2009, a public hearing was convened to review the list of eligible activities for the Community Development Block Grant.  The list was derived from this Community Plan.  As a result of this gathering, community members identified those projects they deemed a priority.

New Public Safety Facility

Background: The existing Public Safety Facility is over 30 years old and is outdated and in rapidly deteriorating condition, is in adequate in size security, and functionality.  With a population of over 650 residents, and a summer transient population of over 150, the existing facility is too small to meet the current public safety needs.

During the winter season this facility gets extremely cold.  The building also does not have any running water or sewer which creates sanitation issues.  It only has two cells.  Youth do not have separate cells.

Issues:

• Build a facility that will meet the growing needs of the village
• Increase the safety of the TPO's, VPSO and those being held
• Instill a sense of pride in the community

Solution:

• Complete the Public Safety Conceptual Plan/Business Plan
• Consider integrating revenue generating space, such as the Post Office
• Consider a phased approach and keep the first phase with $600 - $800 if possible

Comments: 

More Info:

Link to Public Safety Business Plan (http://kbmeister.bizware.com/index.php?account_id=243&return=%2Furls%2Findex.php%3Fid%3D6040)

2010 - Oct: Final Design Docs, Plans, and Email Exchanges (http://kbmeister.bizware.com/urls/index.php?id=18018)

Retain VPSO

Issues:

• The Community of Quinhagak needs to retain a VPSO to address the shortage of public safety funding
• In addition, the community needs to hire female officers

Solutions:

• The single factor making recruitment and retention of a VPSO difficult for Quinhagak is the lack of adequate housing for the VPSO and his/her family

Other Public Safety/Justice Needs

Issues:

• Improve Airport Security & Regulate Operations
• Strengthen the Search & Rescue Program
• Prevent the Courts or Troopers from removing elders for unknown crimes
• Better equip the Tribal Police with equipment & transportation

Issue:

The existing clinic is approximately 50% of the recommended size called for in the Denali Commission large clinic prototype design that is the design standard for a community the size of Quinhagak. The existing facility's foundation system is failing and the building is at risk of being condemned.

Solution:

Construction a new clinic using the Denali Commission's Prototype Design and locating the clinic at the proposed site identified in the Land Use Plan.

Implementation:

Substance Abuse, Alcohol, Inhalant, Tobacco

Issues:

• Under-age drinking is an increasing problem, resulting in bodily injury & death
• Inhalant abuse is also an issue
• Tobacco abuse amongst minors is high

Solutions:

• Revive the Kinguliamta Ciunerkaat Program and implement the program’s findings and solutions, which are many and well documented
• Secure funds for and rehire the K.C. Program Director in Quinhagak to carry forward the findings and recommendations of the K.C. Program
• Facilitate the anonymous reporting of underage drinkers, illegal alcohol importation
• Research additional funding sources for youth issues
• Repair the Teen Center to get it operational and suitable for youth program rental space
• Enforce Curfew Vigorously
• Improve Supervision of Children by Parents
• Revive/Hold Youth & Elders Conferences
• Budget JOM funds, I.H.S. 638 Substance Abuse Funds towards this cause
• Implement a 4-H Boys & Girls Club / program for youth
• MOA w/ YKHC to transfer Health Education to Quinhagak

Implementation:

 

Current Program / Project Plans to Address Issues	Program / Project Plans Aligned w/ Need?	Current Status
Kinguliamta Ciunerkaat Program Implementation Plan	Yes	INACTIVE – NO FUNDING
I.H.S. 638 Substance Abuse Program Scope of Work	No	Has not been updated in 10+ years

Natural Resources & Environment

Education

DNR Monitoring Management

Water

Trash

Current Program/project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
Solid Waste Management Plan	YES	The Solid Waste Management Plan needs to be revisited to address these issues.

Funding

Erosion

Current Program/Project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
Alaska Climate Change Impact Mitigation Program	Yes	Submitted Application Feb. 16, 2009

Education and Training

Higher Education, The Value of Education

School System

Community

Issues:

Parenting

Education and Training

Cultural Heritage Center

Issues:

• Need to turn the Headstart facility into a Cultural/Heritage Center as a local display center
• Cultural Nights
• Need tribal Cultural Resource program
• Need to work on documenting family genealogies
• Missing the signs that this is a rich culture. Not heard or seen much. Need to make it more visible everywhere – art work, etc.

Goals:

• Preserve and showcase our rich culture
• Involve our youth in learning about and participating in the history of our culture
• Share knowledge and skills
• Instill pride in our heritage
• Teach outsiders about our culture

Solutions:

• Create a core group responsible for converting the teen center into a Cultural/Heritage Center.
• Create cultural heritage committee and create a coordinator posItion
• Make part of the heritage center a craft center
• Recruit craft teachers
• Hold traditional cooking class at night and the elders teach the youth
• Every 2 weeks have storytelling on history and traditions. At teen center
• Make a monthly calendar/schedule for events and activities
• Each month showcase a different focus that shares traditional values and practices. Ex Beading. 1 person to coordinate – look for volunteers to teach
  • Displays
  • Supplies
  • Teaching
  • Refreshments
  • Music
  • Fun
• Gather native craft
• Artwork and mural on the walls of the teen center
• For school grade/credit – 3 – 4 seniors from each graduating class will develop teen center calendar and coordinate with volunteers to present/teach. These youth work an elder. Together they develop the teen center – Heritage/Culture center program for 1 year.
• Arts and crafts display. Items can also be for sale.
• Arts and crafts supply shop in the “library” at teen center. Have examples of completed crafts with instructions and what night these will be taught…
• Arts and crafts night. Refreshments, music. 1 or 2 volunteers demonstrate their craft and coach others.
• We need to advertise

Benefits:

• Our cultural ways are not being passed down through the generations as much as they once were.  If we do not do something, it will finally all slip away with our Elders,  This is important.
• Youth will learn from the elders.  Youth and Elders can connect more.
• The entire community will benefit
• Visitors can learn more about us and our rich culture

Arts, Crafts and Dance

Issues:

• Arts and craft skills are being lost. Example: ivory, bone carving
• Lost arts: Eskimo dancing and drumming

Goals:

• Preserve our heritage

Solutions:

• Gather tundra materials to make arts and crafts
• Teach how to sell arts and crafts
• Fundraise: Cake walk, bake-sale, donations – to buy supplies
• Run a small shop at the new terminal building to sell local arts and crafts to visitors and tourists.

Benefits:

• Youth
• Elders
• The entire community
• Visitors
• The school

Storytelling

Issues:

• We need to invite traditional story tellers to help people remember the old stories.
• Elders do not seem to get the recognition they should. They seem overlooked as resources.
• Is the history being passed on? Who is the keeper? How is it passed on? Who hears – who listens – who shares – who cares?
• Traditional names and places need to be taught to our young people
• We need to talk to our children in Yupik at home
• Elder women need to teach younger women the traditional laws. Men and Women.
• Yupik life skills are not taught in school and not by local people.

Goals:

• Preserve our culture
• Teach youth important skills

Solutions:

• Publish a book
• Invite traditional story tellers to village during special events
• Capture folk lore stories
• Little people stories
• Document elders stories for future use
• Make a file for stories and crafts
• Document old traditional stories

Benefits:

• Elders are respected
• Youth Learn
• The entire community benefits
• Visitors learn about us

Survival Skills

Camp

Odds 'n Ends

Current Status

Issue:

No less than 100 housing units are needed for Quinhagak tribal members, and as of 2009, nearly 1/3 of the existing housing stock has been determined to be beyond repair and facing imminent collapse due to extensive dry-rot and deterioration.

Solutions:

Quinhagak's annual NAHASDA allocations are inadequate to address the severe housing shortage. Consequently, in 2009, the Tribe approved securing a Title VI loan, leveraging its existing tribal allocations, which allowed the Tribe to award a construction contract to Paug Vik to construct (7) new units during the fall/winter of 2009/2010.

To address the existing housing stock, the Tribe invited the Cold Climate Housing Research Center to Quinhagak to inspect the severely rotten and dangerous homes. Their report made statewide news, a link to which was posted to the Anchorage Daily News online edition. The short term solution is to shore up the homes to prevent collapse, The long term solution is to continue to encourage home ownership through the use of HUD and/or USDA loan gaurantees and other financing mechanisms.

In 2010, Cold Climate Housing Research Center built a home in the new Carter Road Subdivision to serve as a prototype for energy efficiency and environmental compatibility.  NVK will move a family into the home and help monitor the home's performance, which will help in the design of similar dwellings in the future. 

Beginning in 2009, NVK began renovating and retrofitting homes of qualified individuals for energy efficiency, structural stability, and weatherization using funds made available through HUD and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.  Six homes received some combination of the following:  foundation repair and leveling, metal roofing, floor joists and insulation, shell siding, new windows and doors, entrance stairs, new Toyo heater stove.  Work was completed in 2010. 

Low Income Financing

Issues:

• There are numerous programs to assist low income residents with addressing their housing needs, however, non-low income residents’ needs are not being addressed since typically they cannot qualify to finance enough for new housing

Solutions:

• Homeownership workshop w/ HUD and other programs
• Section 184 Loans
• Educate homeowners on possible financing

Implementation:

Lots, Land and Subdivisions for Future Development

Issues:

• Quinhagak lacks sufficient lots to cover the 10 year housing demand; currently site control is in place for only 30 lots along Carter Rd. No less than 85 additional lots are needed

Solutions:

• During the Land Use planning sessions, additional areas were identified for future housing to address the long term need for housing land
• NVK needs to secure site control to additional tracts of land in Quinhagak as identified in the Land Use plan
• Continue construction in both subdivisions near Carter Road

Implementation:

Below are pictures of the Site Plans for the Carter Road Subdivision and the proposed layout of the community facilities.

Affordable Housing, Single Family and Multi Family Units

Issues:

• The 10 year housing needs in Quinhagak exceed 150 units, overcrowding is rampant

Solutions:

• Focus on BIA 2007 Funding in Fall 2007
• Use 2005/2006
• Apply for 2007/2008 NAHASDA funding
• Secure/Procure Project Development Support to assist with implementation of Force Account projects
• Identify/Hire Local Construction Manager and/or Construction Superintendent

Implementation:

Current Program/Project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
ICDBG 2007 - 2009	Rehabilitation of 10 housing units	In process
NAHASDA	Housing Construction Manager	Hired

Emergency Housing

Issues:

• Quinhagak needs a way to address the emergency housing needs of residents due to fire, acts of God

Solutions:

• Fire insurance in place for all residents
• Modify existing Indian Housing Plans to address emergency housing needs
• Find alternative funding streams for emergency housing

Implementation:

Current Program/Project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
HUD Imminent Threat 2009 Application	YES	The Imminent Threat application budgets contractual to plan for expansion of the new Bingo Hall for Emergency Shelter

Other Housing Needs

Issues:

• Other Miscellaneous Housing Issues
• Need gravel for long-term community development needs
• Need low-income rental units
• Need to address elderly housing needs
• Need to address renovations

Solutions:

• Allocate resources to address low-income and elderly housing needs
• Need to relocate existing, dilapidated housing to meet future housing needs
• Need to Demolish old homes and build on existing lots

Implementation:

Community Facilities, Housing, and Infrastructure

Gravel/Heavy Equipment

Issues:

• During the focus group planning sessions there was an overwhelming consensus that Quinhagak’s long-term development needs hinge on identifying and permitting sufficient gravel extraction sites to meet Quinhagak’s needs.
• Refer to section titled "Gravel Extraction Sites" for additional information on gravel issues and proposals.

Solutions:

• Quantify long-term gravel needs, commission a study to identify gravel extraction sites
• Initiate permitting process and material sales agreement negotiations
  

Implementation:

Current Program/Project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
Duane Miller & Associates 2009 Gravel Study	YES	A new borrow source / extraction site has been identified and the BIA IRR Roads Inventory will be updated to add a road segment to the inventory accessing the new site; design funds have been allocated to cover design of the Borrow Source Extraction Road

City Dock and Channel Dredging

Issues:

• Most freight and all fisheries commerce hinge on easy access to the Quinhagak dock; this access is currently impeded by the siltation of the Kanektok River channel, making it difficult for large barges to enter the mouth of the River
• The existing City Dock is inadequate in size to meet the commercial fisheries needs

Solutions:

• Quantify long-term gravel needs, commission a study to identify gravel extraction sites
• Initiate permitting process and material sales agreement negotiations
• Coordinate with CVRF
• Apply for Denali Commission Waterfront Development funding
• Coordinate with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Implementation:

Current Program/Project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
Denali Commission Transportation Improvement Program	Waterfront Development - Dredging	Awarded 2007 for Design and Permitting

Below is a brief description of two recommended barge landing facility improvements identified by the Army Corps of Engineers in August 2008 funded through the Denali Commission:

Option A: Dredge and access channel to the existing city dock.  This is the user group's recommended option, at least for the short term, and a study is underway to determine feasibility.  Periodic maintenance dredging would be required.  Total estimated cost:  %5.22 million

Option B:  For a long term solution, consider providing a new dock at a landing site that is not experiencing problems with sediment accretion.  One alternate site is depicted in the picture below.  A residential house is nearby, and property ownership issues may need to be resolved. Total Estimated Cost:  $3.70 Million

Another option would be to study whether Arolik Creek is accessible by barge and constructing an new landing facility at the end of the existing 3+ mile long Arolik Rd., on Arolik Creek. 

More Info:

2008 Corps of Engineers Findings (http://kbmeister.bizware.com/urls/index.php?id=6607)

Expanded Community Facilities and Infrastructure to Meeting Growing Population/Demand

Issues:

• Many essential community buildings in Quinhagak have become too small to meet the growing population and/or demand; in particular, the following facilities were identified:
• NVK/City Tribal Offices
• Qanirtuuq, Inc. store [expansion in progress 2007]
• Community Hall/Community gathering area [non-existent]
• Post Office [need at least a 1200-1500 SF facility]
• Bulk Fuel Tank Farm [in conceptual planning stage]
• Fish Processing Plant [Relocate to City Dock Area]
• Fisheries Support Facility [in planning/design stage]
• Public Safety Building [pre-construction phase]
• New Clinic [in conceptual planning stage]
• Quinhagak School

Solutions:

• Complete 2007 Update to the Community Plan
• Construction of new clinic will free up program space in Health & Sanitation Facility (approximately 1,700 SF)
• Construction of Qanirtuuq, Inc. Annex will free up floor space in existing Qanirtuuq School]
• Co-locate Post Office w/ Proposed Public Safety

Implementation:

Current Program/Project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
Public Safety Building	YES	Quinhagak Multipurpose and Tribal Justice Center has been designed and permitting documents are nearly complete.  Construction funds have been awarded by DOJ and work set to begin summer 2011.
Bingo Hall Design	YES	NVK recently completed design for the new Bingo Hall to be located where the former Headstart Building was prior to burning down
Community Facility Lots/Land Use Plan	YES	The Land Use Plan centralizes new community buildings on the Community Facility Lots, and allows for a centralized heating loop to serve multiple buildings from one mechanical room to improve operating efficiencies

Quinhagak Airport

Issues:

• Airport Terminal Building
• Sustainable airport facility operations

Strategies/Solutions:

• Renegotiate landing fee structure

Implementation:

Current Program/Project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
EDA - Airport Expansion/Terminal Building	YES	Close out April 15, 2009

Internet

Issues:

• Improve internet connectivity in the community, and provide public internet access stations/kiosks

Solutions:

• Research USDA as a potential funding source
• Secure ANA funding for this purpose

Implementation:

 

Current Program/Project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
Tribal Technology Plan	NO	The Tribe needs to develop a Tribal Technology Plan and plan for such things as Community Connect Centers

Erosion Control

Issues:

• Erosion control remains a significant need in the community as the Kanektok River may eventually change course and directly threaten community facilities and housing

Solutions:

• Commission an erosion control study

Implementation:

Current Program/Project Plans to Address Issues	Program/Project Plans Aligned with Need?	Current Status
Alaska Climate Change Impact Program	Mitigation Planning Process	Application Submitted February 16, 2009

Land Use

Land

More Info:

Quinhagak Land Use Plan 2008 (http://kbmeister.bizware.com/urls/index.php?id=4959)

Gravel

John Pleasant Land

Land Policy

Waterfront

Zoning

Erosion

Roads

NATIVE VILLAGE OF KWINHAGAK AND CITY OF QUINHAGAK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES (From the Quinhagak Community Development Plan Updates)

1.  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/COST OF LIVING
Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Caps for Fuel, Electrical Costs, Sanitation Facilities, Maintain Residential PCE Priorities
    * Community Support Center - provide mechanical, welding services
    * Inter-tribal purchasing agreements

Mid Term 5-10 Years:

    * Training Center/Technology/Telework Center
 
2.  FUTURE GRAVEL - see TRANSPORTATION & WATERFRONT
 
3.  ALTERNATIVE ENERGY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Commercial Turbines
    * Tribal Buildings - investigate on-site systems

Mid Term 5-10 Years:

Long Term 10-20 Years:
 

4.  COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Clinic/Subregional Clinic
    * Public Safety [in-progress]
    * Day Care/Headstart Center [Relocate to School]
    * Shelter/Respite Center

Mid Term 5-10 Years:

    * New Tribal/City Office
    * Community Hall/Bingo Hall
    * Post Office
    * Elder Facility [Assisted Care Facility] - NAHASDA, AHFC
    * Moravian Church Relocation
 
5.  TRANSPORTATION & WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Land Status Map for River Corridor from village to USFWS boundary
    * Provide access to (2) short term pits upriver (adjacent to existing pits)
    * Evacuation Route A: Upriver Borrow Source
    * 1st Bridge over Kanektok River to gravel source, Island 1
    * Address Erosion Control, Old Airport (East End=High Erosion Area), along length
        of old runway; Airport Apron, Pump-house
    * Channel Dredging
    * Sea Wall/Waterfront Development
    * Boat Launch/Small Boat Harbor
    * Elder Van/School Bus


Mid Term 5-10 Years:

    * 2nd Bridge to mainland, future gravel, trail to Eek/Bethel
    * Evacuation Route B: Access to Mid-way (7.5 GPS miles +/-)
    * Dust Control
   

Long Term 10-20 Years:
   
    * Arolik River Crossing
    * Evacuation Route C: Access to Wilderness Boundary (15 GPS miles)
   
6.  AIRPORT

Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Fire Fighting Equipment

Mid Term: 5-10 Years:

Long Term 10-20 Years:
   
    * Airport Maintenance
 
7.  SEARCH & RESCUE EQUIPMENT

Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Search and Rescue Equipment
 
8.  ENERGY & POWER

Short Term 1-5 Years:

Mid Term 5-10 Years:

    * Tribal/City Bulk Fuel Tank Farm Facility

Long Term 10-20 Years:

    * Power line maintenace to airport - poles need to be deeper
 
9.  WATER/SEWER/SANITATION

Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Water intake upstream of village [versus in the center of the village]
    * Drill deeper
    * Clean up old dump across from Washeteria
 
10.  COMMUNITY RELOCATION

Long Term 10-20 Years:
   
    * Evacuation Route
    * Quinhagak #2 Master Plan
    * 10 Year Plan
 
12. EDUCATION

Mid Term 5-10 Years:

    * School expansion


13. EMERGENCY PLANNING & PREPAREDNESS


14. HOUSING CRISIS

Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Emergency Housing / Shelter / Transitional Homes
    * Approach CVRF to utilize Bunkhouses at Fish Plant

Mid Term 5-10 Years:

Long Term 10-20 Years:


15. TRADITIONAL & CULTURAL SURVIVAL 

Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Develop & Support Quinhagak Heritage Incorporated
    * Develop local Facility for local museum, cultural heritage display center,
        visitors's center, local arts & crafts
    * Cultural Week (both Community Cultural and Youth)

Mid Term 5-10 Years:
    * Language & History Preservation

Long Term 11-20 Years:


16. TRIBAL JUSTICE

Short Term 1-5 Years:

    * Youth Tribal Boot Camp
    * Wellness to Healness Court 

Community Profile

Community Profile: Quick Overview

Location & Setting of Community

Location: Quinhagak lies approximately 59.748890° North Latitude and -161.915830° West Longitude 71 miles southwest of Bethel. (Sec. 17, T005S, R074W, Seward Meridian.) The area encompasses 4.7 sq. miles of land and 0.6 sq. miles of water.

Topography: The land surrounding Quinhagak is a flat, low-lying coastal plain characterized by intertidal areas, and swampy floodplains. Developed areas of the community are relatively flat. Surrounding areas range in elevation from less than 10 feet to approximately 22 feet above mean sea level. Numerous shallow lakes, ponds and streams of various sizes dominate the landscape. Sedges, tundra grasses, mosses and cotton grass blanket the upland terrain.

Climate: Quinhagak has a transitional climate between maritime and continental conditions. Winter temperatures average between 6 degrees F and 24 degrees F. Kuskokwim is usually frozen during the winter. Summers are usually rainy and cool, with average temperatues of 41degrees to 57 degrees F. Precipitation averages 22 inches, with 43 inches of snowfall annually. The average air temperature is 30 degrees F with extremes measured between -34 degrees F to 82 degrees F. Prevailing winds in Quinhagak come from the south and southwest during summer months, changing to predominantly from the north and northeast from September through March. The winter months also recieve a high percentage of winds from the east and southeast. Winds during the spring are variable.

Geologic Setting: Along the coast to the south and west of Quinhagak are marine beaches characterized by coastal delta deposits of interlayered alluvial and marine sediments. The dominant landform in the upland area is re-transported fluvial and eloian deposits overlying glacial outwash deposits.

The materials underlying the city are typical of the area and include coastal deposits of inter-layered alluvial and marine sediments and coastal delta deposits. The existing airport rests on alluvial deposits in the floodplain of the Kanektok River. To the south of the community are marine beach and thawed lacustrine deposits.

Soils: The Delta Tundra soils within the community are characterized by organic material over saturated silts with shallow discontinuous permafrost. A typical soil sample in the Quinhagak area has a foot or more of peat overlying saturated silts and permafrost. The permafrost is typically ice rich and relatively warm. The depth to permatfrost varies depending on soil type and other localized factors but can usually be found within 4 feet of the surface and may extend for several hundred feet. When thawed, the soils are typically saturated.

Groundwater can be expected at fairly shallow depths within thawed areas of teh flood plain and at depths of 150 feet or more, in areas iwth permafrost. With the exception of the three WTP wells driled beneath the Kanetok River, water wells drilled in the area produced considerable iron and color. There are no known operational wells in the community other than the WTP wells.

Flooding and Erosion: The city of Quinhagak is adjacent to the floodplain of the Kanektok River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rates flood hazards in the Quinhagak area as high noting that the Kanektok River is subject to constantly changing channels and severe bank erosion. Floods were reported in 1978 and 1989. The 1978 flood reached an elevation of 86.5 feet, approximately 9.0 feet aboe sea level. Based on the 1978 flood, the COE recommends that the minimum building elevation should be 88.5 feet (11.0 feet above the mean sea level).

Historic Sites: A preliminary archaeological review of the Quinhagak area was performed by Walking Dog Archaeology in 2001. The findings and conclusions of that review are as follows:

A search of the Alaska Historical Resource Survey (AHRS) maintained by the State Office of History and Archaeology revealed that there are no known historic properties in the immediate vicinity of Quinhagak. There is one known site GDN-010, located 3.6 miles to the south-southeast. This was the village of Arolik (Agaligamute) that was abandoned in the first part of the 20th century.

There have been two archaeological surveys in Quinhagak itself. The first survey was conducted in 1978 in conjunction with a Public Health Service water and sewage disposal project (see Wiersum 1978). The second survey was investigated not only areas within the village buy also the road right-of-way and material sources to the south (see Tyler 1992). Neither of these surveys revealed any historic properties. An additional survey required in response to a fuel spill 0.6 miles west (1.0 kilometers) of the village also yielded no historic properties (see Staley 1992).

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Association of Village Council presidents (AVCP) have conducted surveys of a number of Native allotments in the immediate vicinity of the village. These being the allotments of: John Pleasant AA-031286 (US Survey No. 9671). Moses Mark AA-31274, Parcel A, Julia Williams AA-031284, Parcel D, Wassillie Britton -AA-37775, Parcel B and Martha Matthew AA-37810, Parcel B (see Hoff 1992, Street 1998, and Biddle 2000). All of these allotments are situated along the Kanektok River and located north-northeast of the village withthe exception of John Pleasant's allotment which includes several homes and village buildings. No historic properties were found during any of these surveys.

Quinhagak is an old village that dates at least to the early part of the 19th century. There have been several limited surveys in and around the village that have revealed no historic properties. There are references in some of the surey reports of local residents telling investigators that much of the old village had been eroded away. much of the new village consists of modern government subsidized housing that is located away from the river channels where one would expect the older component of the village to be located. Based on these factors it is thought that the probability of encountering undiscovered historic properties in Quinhagak is low to moderate.

Endangered Species/Critical Habitats: No threatened or endangered species occur in the area. Quinhagak may, however, lie in the migration paths of peregrine falcons and steller eiders. The community is also in the range of the spectacled eider although none have been seen in the vicinity to date. The adjacent water of the Bering Sea supports several species of marine mammals including the humpback whale which is listed as an endangered species. The kanektok River has been specified by the ADF&G as important for spawning, rearing or migration of anadromous fish.

(Community Profile information taken from the Water/Sewer Feasibility Study, completed by CRW Engineering Group, 2001)

Existing Population, Demographics, and Population Forecast

The current population of Quinhagak is 642. According to the 2000 census there were 137 households, and 113 families residing in the city. The population density was 45.8/km² (118.5/mi²). There were 153 housing units at an average density of 12.6/km² (32.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 2.70% White, 96.04% Native American, and 1.26% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 137 households out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.05 and the average family size was 4.52.

In the city the population was spread out with 37.1% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 109.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.4 males.

Based on a facility siting study provided by CRW Engineering Group, in 2003, historical growth rates were calculated for four interim time periods. A summary of the growth rates for these periods is presented in the Table below.

Period	Calculated Growth Rates
1880-2000	1.6%
1950-2000	2.1%
1960-1990	2.5%
1990-2000	1.0%

A growth rate of 2.5% was assumed, which is consistent with the Alaska Department of Labor projections for the larger census area.
Using the exponential growth equation provided below, the 2020 design population was estimated to be 983. Five year incremental population projections are presented in the table below.

p=p_oe^(kt)
p = Population
p_o = Initial Population
k = Growth Rate (Percent/100)
t = Time Elapsed since p_o (years)

Economic Trends and Statistics

Most Quinhagak households practice subsistence hunting and gathering, utilizing the village's coastal location for salmon and trout fishing, bird, caribou, and moose hunting. The village hosts a commercial fishing industry and cannery, which increased the population during the summer months as people from other villages travel to Quinhagak to find work. 83 residents hold commercial fishing permits for salmon net and herring roe fisheries.

Coastal Villages Seafood LLC processes halibut and salmon in Quinhagak. Salmon and Halibut caught near Quinhagak and Goodnews Bay are delivered to the Quinhagak Plant to be processed and packaged. Between 2002-2005, an average of 802,408 pounds of salmon has been bought each season by the end of July. By July 2006, more than 1.4 million pounds of salmon were bought creating a record year. Because of the great harvest of salmon/halibut and production at the Quinhagak Seafood Plant, work has begun on the construction of a new salmon processing plant that is to be located on the north Platinum Spit. The plan would employ 125 workers from Quinhagak and surrounding villages when it is fully staffed. This new plant will relieve the workload on the Quinhagak plant eliminating the need for setting limits and allowing for increased fishing opportunities in District 5. (CVRF Volume 9, Issue 3)
Most of the jobs in Quinhagak are with the school system, government services or commercial fishing. Basket weaving, ivory carving, skin sewing and trapping also provide income. Subsistence remains an important part of the livelihood in the community with seal and salmon as main staples of the diet.

According to the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city is about $25,156, and the median income for a family is $25,313.

Current Services and Service Providers

All "municipal" services are provided by the Native Village of Kwinhagak, under a co-management agreement with the City of Quinhagak. The current community services and service providers for Quinhagak consist of the following:

Coastal Villages Region Fund, Coastal Villages Region Fund is a non-profit corporation organized under the State of Alaska. CVRF is the managing organization for the Multi-Species Community Development Quota Program and has been in existence since 1992 representing 20 Coastal Alaskan Villages. CVRF provides opportunity for employment, training, education, improvements in regional fisheries infrastructure, and investments. Coastal Villages focuses on balancing growth in commercial fishing and sustainable development of all CVRF communities. CVRF's subsidiary, Coastal Villages Seafoods, currently operates the Halibut and Salmon Seafood Plant in Quinhagak. The plant was completed in 2000 and provides a home for local fisherman to sell their catch. CVRF also provides transportation infrastructure to help get product to market in the fastest most proficient way. The Quinhagak processing plant is managed by Jim Sartelle. Jim has worked at the production plant since 2002. The Quinhagak plant had a record production year in 2006. CVRF: 711 H Street Anchorage, AK 99501 P: 907-258-5151 F: 278-5150; www.coastalvillages.org

Association of Village Council Presidents, which, despite most BIA programs being locally compacted by NVK, continues to provide energy assistance and other programs to the community; AVCP: PO Box 219 Bethel, Alaska 99559 P: 907-543-7300 F: 907-543-3596; www.avcp.org

Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, which, under MOA with NVK, oversees the Community Health Aides/Practitioners in Quinhagak and operates the regional hospital and numerous health programs in Bethel; YKHC: PO Box 528 Bethel, Alaska 99559; P: 907-543-6000; www.ykhc.org

Lower Kuskokwim School District, which operates the local school, Kuinerrarmiut Elitnaurviat, grades K-12; LKSD: PO Box 305 Bethel, Alaska 99559; P: 907-543-4800; www.lksd.org

Native Village of Kwinhagak, which in addition to operating municipal services, also administers a U.S. Department of Interior Self-Governance Compact providing numerous BIA programs, EPA environmental services, and natural resources programs and social services;NVK: PO Box 149 Quinhagak, AK 99655 P: 907-556-8165 F: 907-556-8166; www.kwinhagak.com

City of Quinhagak, which co-manages municipal services in conjunction with the Native Village of Kwinhagak under a comprehensive Memorandum of Agreement, City of Quinhagak, PO Box 90 Quinhagak, AK. 99655; P: 907-556-8202 F: 907-556-8166

Qanirtuuq, Inc., which, in addition to operating the major store in Quinhagak, provides retail sales of fuel products and also operates a bulk fuel tank farm; Qanirtuuq Inc. is also the major landowner in Quinhagak;

Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, which operates and manages the power plant and associated bulk fuel tank farm in Quinhagak. AVEC: 4831 Eagle River, Alaska 99503 P: 907-561-1818 F: 907-562-4086; www.avec.org

Community Facilities Inventory & Analysis

Gravel Extraction Sites

Gravel is the currency of local community facilities development in Quinhagak. Because the community is located in a wetlands area, gravel fill is required for all buildings, roads, and other facilities. Fortunately, Quinhagak is blessed with an abundance of gravel, however, extracting the gravel comes at a price, as the landscape is irrevocably altered. Based on community input, there is concern about putting more planning into properly mining the gravel in Quinhagak.

Below are previous and proposed gravel extraction sites in Quinhagak [all photos/figures prepared by CRW Engineering]:

Project Engineer David Beiswenger, EIT from CE2 Engineers, Inc. identified three potential gravel borrow sites [shown below] for further investigation by Duane Miller & Associated, [geotechnical engineers] to solidify these recommendations.

Gravel Site #1:  Identified by Real Estate/Native Allotment Manager Carl Nicolai; located 1.6 miles from the northeast end of the old airport runway; Close proximity to the village.

Gravel Site #2 : Identified by CE2 Engineers; 2.5 miles from the northeast end of the old airport near the banks of the Kanektok River; close access to and from the river

Gravel Site #3: Identified by CE2 Engineers; approximately 3.2 miles from northeast end of the old airport; may be more difficult to access.

For previous gravel extractions, following is the recommended mining profile used:

As of September, 2007, extremely high waters have inundated the current gravel extraction site, shutting down extraction activities.

Future Needs:

Because gravel is the currency of local development, a gravel study will be commissioned to estimate the long term gravel extraction needs of the community, as well as identify preferred extraction sites. Duane Miller and Associates, LLC have submitted a geotechnical services proposal for exploring new sand and gravel materials sources in Quinhagak, Alaska. 

Based on the various current projects planned in the village, it is estimated, by Duane Miller and Associates, LLC., that at least 500,000 cubic yards of gravel and sand are required.  Duane Miller and Associates.  Based on their findings, subsequent work will involve developing a material source extraction plan, determining material transport and storage options, project specific goetechnical engineering, and preparing borrow site restoration plans.

More Info:

Gravel Extraction (http://kbmeister.bizware.com/urls/index.php?id=3220)

CE2 Letter of Recommendations Gravel Extraction Sites 3-5-09 (http://kbmeister.bizware.com/urls/index.php?id=8267)

Duane Miller 2009 Gravel Study Proposal (http://kbmeister.bizware.com/urls/index.php?id=8040)

Heavy Equipment

Just as gravel is essential to local community development, so is the heavy equipment necessary to extract, place, and fill that gravel. Quinhagak's existing equipment fleet is aging, after having constructed the Arolik Road, Quinhagak Airport Improvements, and numerous other projects in the village. The current mix of equipment is represented in this latest fee schedule:

More Info:

Gravel Extraction (http://kbmeister.bizware.com/urls/index.php?id=3220)

Community Infrastucture Overview

Bulk Fuel Tank Farm Facilities

BULK FUEL STORAGE

Existing Bulk Fuel Facilities Summary:

LKSD School:  2 tanks, 100,500 gallons each

NVK/City of Quinhagak:  6 Tanks Total:  2x12,000 gallons (1 diesel, 1 gasoline); 2 x 5,000 gallons (1 diesel, 1 gasoline); 1x3,000 gallons (gasoline); 1x1,000 gallons (used for transfer). 

Qanirtuuq Corporation:  12x27,000 gallon tanks (6 diesel, 6 gasoline).  This facility was built in 2009 at the west end of Carter Road near the City Dock.  Diesel filling occurs from a spur off the AVEC fill lines.  Gasoline filling occurs via a dedicated barge header and a 4-inch buried steel pipe.  

Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC): 14 diesel tanks, ranging from 7,000 gallons to 9,500 gallons.

Moravian Church:  One 2,700 gallon tank

Army National Guard:  One 8,020 gallon tank.

City of Quinhagak, Bulk Fuel Storage Narrative
A  cooperative effort between the City of Quinhagak, the Quinhagak IRA Council, and the Alaska Department of Community & Regional Affairs (DCRA) resulted in the 1996 construction of a new fuel storage facility. The Facililty is owned by the City of Quinhagak and operated by the IRA Council. The Facility is located on the extreme southwest side of the City, approximately 240 feet from the Kanektok River. The Facility consists of two 12,000 gallon aboveground bulk storage tanks, and two 5,000 gallon aboveground dispensing tanks with integral hose reels.

The secondary containment for the Facility tankage, in conjunction with the high level fill limiters, vent fill alarms, and visual monitoring of all tansferes, satisfies the intent of 40 CFR, Part 112.8, as well as EPA interpretations of acceptable alternative measures for above ground storage tanks.

Secondary containment at the fill point connections is provided by welded-steel contaiment boxes that are permanently positioned beneath the connections. The containment boxes are 2'x3'x2' which provide capacity in excess of 84 gallons, and comply with Coast Guard regulations (33CFR, Part 154.530).

• The only improvements in the vicinity are a gravel staging area and marine bulkhead adjacent the Facility to the north, and the Qanirtuuq Inc. tank farm located approximtely 180 feet south of the Facility.
• The stroage area is usually observed by operating personnel at least five days per week, and a documented inspection of the Facility is conducted monthly by the Facility Manager, or his designated alternate. Leak detection is by visual monitoring or inventory discrepancy - there are no automated leak detection systems.
• An eight foot high chain link fence, topped with barbed wire, surrounds the storage area. All tanks are labeled, and warning signs/emergency notification placards are to be posted on the perimeter fence.
• Facility operations are performed by two operators that are supervised by a Facility Manager who has overall responsibility for spill prevention and regulatory compliance.

Fuel projections were estimated by NanaPacific in their report on AVEC /Quinhagak Pre-CDR in 2005.

 Following is a summary of the projected fuel needs by entity:

Future Bulk Fuel Storage Needs

AVEC:  In 2011 AVEC will decommission the current power plant and remove the fuel tanks.  The new power generator and bulk fuel facility will be located near the existing Qanirtuuq Corporation tank farm near the City Dock.  Eleven 27,000 gallon diesel tanks are planned for the facility.

City and NVK:  Expand the existing City/NVK tank farm gravel foundation pad.  Refurbish two existing, City-owned 12,000 gallon double-wall storage tanks and two existing 5,000 gallon dispensing tanks.  Install two new 27,000 gallon double-wall diesel AST's adjacent to the existing tanks.  Complete piping and security fence upgrades.  Construct a new duel-product barge header within the tank farm fenced-in area.

LKSD and Qanirtuuq Corporation:  The two parties will cooperate to install one dual-product retail/fleet dispenser for the Corporation and one single-product dispenser for the school.

All dispensers will be manually operated mechanical type unless otherwise requested.  No remote consoles, pre-paid card readers or other sophisticated systems are planned.  The Corporation and LKSD dispensers will be located adjacent to their respective tank farms.

Install new electrical controls and lighting improvements as required.

At the owner’s request, and subject to availability of funding, existing tanks replaced or taken out of service as a result of the project will be permanently closed in accordance with EPA requirements. 

Provide three sets of EPA required spill contingency equipment; one to be shared by NVK and the City, one for AVEC and one for LKSD.

POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

POWER GENERATION SYSTEM:  EXISTING SYSTEM:

AVEC operates the existing generator and bulk fuel storage area.  The power plant contains three diesel-powered gensets with capacities of 397kW, 350kW, and 314kW. The gensets were installed in 1986, 1996, and 2002, respectively.  Repairs were made in 2001, 2008, and 2008, respectively.  In 2009, the plant produced 1,986,419 kWh of power and burned 144,162 gallons of diesel. 

AVEC received $3.8 million in funding from the Alaska Energy Authority and built three 100kW Northwind 100 wind generators in Quinhagak in 2009.  The wind turbines are currently not in operation due to the plans to rebuild the AVEC power plant.

Average annual fuel consumption in Quinhagak was calculated based upon information provided by AVEC, Qanirtuuq, Inc., the City/NVK, LKSD, and Crowley Marine Services.  The estimated annual consumption is presented below.

FUTURE POWER GENERATION SYSTEM NEEDS

AVEC plans to build a new power plant in 2011.  The modular facility will consist of 8 modules:  3 engine units, 1 control unit, 1 crew quarters, 1 warm storage unit, 1 cold storage unit, and 1 lube storage unit.  The plant will be constructed on an elevated pile foundation or gravel pad with thermal siphons.  A fully-enclosed breezeway will provide access between the modules.  The distribution system throughout the community will be upgraded at that time, and the three 100kW wind turbines will also be brought online and connected to the power distribution system.

More Info:

Proposed AVEC Fuel Fill Line (http://www.northernmanagement.us/PublicFolders/DocMeister/Quinhagak/CommunityPlan/BulkFuel1.pdf)

Wind Farm & Alternative Energy

In 2009, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative received $3.8 million in funding from the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to complete the final design, permitting and the construction of a system to add electrical generation from wind power to the existing electrical generation and distribution system in Quinhagak Alaska.  The scope of the project included road access to and the development of a wind generation farm consisting of three 100 kw Northern 100B Wind Turbines wind turbines, as well as new control modules.

Once the wind turbines are operational (expected for 2011) it is estimated that there will be an annual net fuel savings of 46,233 gallons (15,408 gallons per turbine).  At the current cost of $4.69/gallon, this translates to an annual cost savings of $216,643.  In addtion to savings in fuel usage and cost, using wind energy will also have the following widely recognized benefits:

• Reduction of long-terms dependency on outside sources of energy
• Reduction of exposure to fuel price volatility
• Reduction of air pollution resulting from decreased fossil fuel consumption
• Reduction of possible spills from fuel transport and storage
• Reduction of overall carbon footprint and its contribution to climate change by reducing emissions of 452 tons of CO2 annually

AVEC raised the three wins turbines on the Site #2 (below) in 2009.  They are expected to be operational by 2011 when a new power generation plant is built nearby.

Water & Sewer

Existing Facilities: NVK, under agreement with the City of Quinhagak, provides basic water and sewage services.  As of December 2010, piped water and sewer services are being constructed in the community with homes and community facilities being connected in yearly phases.  In the interim, a central watering point, small haul water and sewer system, and honey bucket haul system remain in place.

Approximately 74 homes and 5 public facilities are currently served by piped water and sewer.  Approximately 45 homes still use the small haul system, and approximately 25 homes continue to use honey buckets and self haul water. NVK also operates a washeteria.

Existing water facilities include 3 wells, a water treatment plant, above-ground water force main and household service lines, small water storage tank, public watering point, a small haul delivery system, a washeteria, and an above ground pipe system to the school and washeteria.

The community's water source is shallow groundwater collected from three slanted wells drilled beneath the Kanektok river. The wells are located on the west bank of the river downstream of the airport and the old water treatment plant but upstream of the community's sewage lagoons. The wells are about 25 feet deep and are drilled at an angle of 25 degrees. Water from the wells is pumped to the water treatment plant via two 2-inch HDPE pipes in an aboveground arctic pipe. Once at the plant water is treated with the use of a diatomaceous earth filtration system and then disinfected with chlorine. the system has a capacity of 25 gpm. The water storage tank is a 45,000 gallon bolted steel tank located adjacent to the water treatment plant.

Water to individual residences is distributed from a central watering point, a partially developed small haul service, and an above ground pipe system to the school and washeteria. The washeteria includes laundry, shower and sauna facilities. (CRW Engineering Group, 2001)

Updated:  Long Term Development Plan:

Service Areas 1,5,6,7,8

Service Areas 2,3,4

As per the community's decision, an above-ground piped water distribution and vacuum sewage collection system is currently being built. A piped system represents the highest level of service in terms of water quality, health risks, economics, and improvement of the quality of life. The recommendations that follow were prepared with the objective providing piped service to as many residents of Quinhagak as reasonably possible.

Water Source: The existing wells have been reliable and produce good quality water, it is recommended that the current infiltration gallery system be upgraded with a second or larger pump and continue to be utillized.

Water Treatment: The recommended approach to increasing the capacity of the existing water treatment system is to purchase a second diatomaceous earth water filtration system. This option would provide a back-up unit if one of the units broke down, would incur the lowest capital cost, and would avoid adding equipment with which the community is unfamiliar.  The new system should have a capacity of 50 gpm.

Water Storage: It is recommended that the existing WST at the old washeteria be evaluated to determine whether it would be cost effective to refurbish and move the tank. If the cost of refurbishing and relocating the tank is estimated to exceed 60% of the cost for a new tank, then a new insulated, 100,000 gallon bolted steel tank should be constructed adjacent to the propsed water distribution building.

Water Distribution: An above ground, insulated, single loop circulating water main is recommended for the system. As the community desires fire protection, the mains should have a minimum diameter of 6-inches and individual circulating pumps should be installed at each home.

Sewer Treatment: A sewage lagoon is the recommended method of treatment.  Use of Footprint Lake Lagoon should be discontinued and a new lagoon be built at a greater distance from the center of the community.  All wastewater flows, with the exception of process water used at the fish processing facilty, should be directed to the new sewage lagoon.  A new piped vacuum sewer pipe should deliver waste to the new lagoon, and honeybucket waste should be brought there as well until all homes are connected to piped sewer.  

Sewer Collection: An above ground, insulated piped vacuum sewer system is recommended.

Water and Sewer Plan Implementation:

CRW Engineering has been overseeing construction of the above-ground force water main and vacuum sewer since 2008.  The water main is a 6 inch diameter, HDPE pipe encased in a 15 inch outside diameter insulated Arctic Pipe.  The sewer pipes measure between 2 and 4 inch diameter depending on their location in the community.  As of 2010, approximately 50 percent of the community has been connected to piped water and sewer.  Connection of the remaining homes is expected to progress with 35 homes in 2011, 16 homes in 2012, and 25 in 2013.  Service Area 4 (seen on the figure above) is on hold pending resolution of site control issues.

Use of Footprint Lake Lagoon for sewage waste has been discontinued, and a new lagoon built west of the community near Arolik River Road.  CRW's new piped vacuum sewer has been constructed to deliver waste to the new lagoon. 

(Photos and Facility Recommendations provided by CRW Engineering Group, 2001)

Solid Waste / Recycle Center

Existing Status:Sewage facilities in Quinhagak include a honey bucket haul system, a partially developed small haul collection system, a piped force main collection system, and two sewage lagoons. The honey bucket system consists of approximately 25 bins scattered throughout the community. The bins, which are periodically collected by NVK, are trailered to the Arolik River Road Lagoon where they are emptied. Footprint Lake Lagoon, the previous dumping site, has been phased out and is now used only for gray water coming from the Washeteria.  The small haul collection system consists of a 200 gallon trailer with vacuum pump assembly and approximately 25 homes and public facilities equipped with a 175-gallon sewage holding tank. On an as needed basis NVK evacuates the contents of each holding tank and transports the sewage to Arolik River Road Lagoon for disposal. The force sewer collects sewage from 75 homes, 5 public facilities, as well as the school and delivers it to the Arolik River Road Lagoon. 


NVK also provides basic solid waste services including refuse collection and disposal. Collection is provided free of charge, and typically occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The vehicle used for collection is either a John Deere Gator or skid loader. The driver goes door-to-door collecting trash, loads the trash into bins, drives to the dump and then unloads the bins a piece at a time. According to one local operator, it takes about five trips to the dump or 6 to 7 hours, to service the community.

NVK currently operates two un-permitted solid waste disposal areas: a solid waste dump at Footprint Lake Lagoon, and a salvage area for vehicles, appliances, and other large metal objects.

Long Term Development Plan:

The Native Village of Kwinhagak is actively working to improve public health conditions for its residents by developing practical, dependable and affordable water, sewer and solid waste facilities. To help meet these challenges, NVK has elected to pursue the construction of a  Class III municipal solid waste landfill as part of a community-wide sanitation improvements project.


The preferred landfill site is located approximately 600 feet west of the Arolik River Road and 3.1 miles south of the washeteria. The primary advantages of this site include, a raised area with positive drainage, good access from the Arolik River Road, a close potential source of cover material, limited if any impact to important subsistence areas, and furthest distance from the community. Recommendations for development of the site are as follows:

a. Initial and future landfill cells should be positioned such that off-site drainage flows toward the Arolik River Road, not the beach.

b. Assuming the beach sources of cover material are accessible and of sufficient quantity, the access road for the landfill should extend to the shore of Kuskokwim Bay.

c. At least 10 acres of land should be reserved for the construction of future landfill cells.

d. The entire facility should be setback a minimum of 300 feet from the coastline to allow for long-term erosion and to provide a visual buffer from the beach.

Initial construction efforts should include a 1,700-foot long access road, landfill with at least two storage cells, "white goods" salvage area, drive through type burn box, cover material stockpile, and an equipment storage shelter. The initial landfill should be sized to provide at least 10 years of service. Earthen embankments and a fence should surround the landfill cells.(Take from the Quinhagak Water/Sewer Feasibilty Report prepared by CRW Engineering Group, 2003)

Airport and Airport Facilities

Quinhagak Airport [also known as Kwinhagak Airport], is a public airport located two miles east of the central business district of Quinhagak. Quinhagak Airport covers 123 acres and has one runway.

Traditionally, small airports in Native Villages throughout Alaska are planned, designed, constructed and operated by State and Federal agencies. The Native Communities themselves have often played very minor roles in these projects save for minor input in the siting and design of new airports and securing some employement during the construction phase. The State many employ one or more local people to operate and maintain the airport or contract with a local resident as was the case in Kwinhagak.

The Native Village of Kwinhagak went a step further and has become a full airport sponsor, not only taking control of the planning, design and construction of the new airport but have also assumed the responsibility over the management, operation and maintenance of their new airport.

In 2003, the State of Alaska Department of Transportation completed a 3200-foot runway after the prior runway near the river was eroding away. The Native Village of Kwinhagak (NVK) and Coastal Village Region Fund (CVRF) determined that 3200 feet was not sufficient for cargo planes to fly in and out to deliver packaged salmon. In 2005, CVRF provided mathcing funds to secure funding from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) to extend the runway to 4000 feet, making it possible to fly cargo planes in and out of Quinhagak. A total of $1,529,862 was invested creating 189 jobs in the extension project. Because of the Airport extension project, it is now possible to fly Everts Air Cargo's DC-6 in and out of Quinhagak transporting 24,000 pounds of packaged salmon directly to Anchorage on one single flight. This provides an overall economic boost to the region and gets fish to market in a faster and more efficient way.

The Management + Operations Plan for the new Kwinhagak Airport was developed in close consultation with both The Native Village of Kwinhagak and the City of Quinhagak and with Tribal Staff. A summary of the process is presented as follows:
1. The Project was initiated in November 2003 with the preparation of a preliminary estimated annual operations and maintenance budget based on previous airport experience and data assembled from the Village;

2. Discussions were held with the NVK Administration to review the existing organizational structure and the potential impacts of integrating airport operations on staffing and training;

3. Discussions were held with various FAA-Alaska officials to review airport operational issues as well as the regulatory and operational aspects of administering landing fees as a potential revenue source;

4. A workshop was held with the Joint Council and NVK Staff in Kwinhagak in March 2004 to review and discuss the responsibilties of an airport sponsor, a possible organizational structure, a possible landing fee strategy, and a financial plan

5. A workshop was held with aircraft operators in Bethel in March 2004 to review and discuss potential landing fee scenarios. The operators were provided, in advance, with a brief memo discussing airport sponsorship and landing fees. The landing fee strategy presented in this Management + Operations Plan generally reflects the input and suggestions from teh aircraft operators;

6. A meeting was held with the NVK Council in mid-April 2004 to brief them on the March 2004 workshop with the aircraft operators and to discuss further work wtih respect to the proposed financial plan and organizational structure;

7. A draft Management + Operations Plan was developed in the Summer of 2004.

8. The final Draft Management + Operations Plan was completed in Octover 2004 and submitted to NVK, NVK's attorney and FAA-Alaska for technical review.

Tribal Responsibilities means that the Tribe will own the airport facility throughout the life of the facility (typically 20 years). The responsibilities are summarized below.1. The Tribe ensures that the airport is operated at all times ina safe and serviceable manner;

2. The Tribe certifies that it has sufficient funds to maintain and operate the airport;

3. The Tribe maintains an up-to-date accounting system as well as record record keeping system;

4. The Tribe must establish and maintain an effective means of collecting landing fees to cover a portion of the annual operation and maintenance costs of the airport;

5. The Tribe establishes and maintains an effective means of collecting landing fees to cover a portion of the annual operation and maintenance costs of the airport;

6. The Tribe ensures that it has the staff required to manage, operate and maintain the airport as well as financially administer the airport.

* Although most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier for the FAA and IATA, Quinhagak Airport is assigned AQH[1] by the FAA and KWN [2] by the IATA. The airport's ICAO identifier is PAQH[3].

Time zone (est) UTC-10
Approximate population for 7 km radius from this point: 7

Latitude	Longitude	Altitude
59.7489	-161.9158	16 (Feet)
(DMS) 59o 44' 56N	(DMS) -161o 54' 57W	4 (Meters)

(Taken from NVK Airport Management and Operations Plan, David Nairne & Associates Ltd, 2004)

Dock, Small Boat Harbor, & Other Marine Facilities

The City Dock is the only facility in Quinhagak that can accommodate vessels of any substantial size.  It is at the City Dock that Quinhagak receives bulk fuel shipments, large barges of cargo, and the commercial fishing deliveries.  The City Dock and harbor are subject to daily and seasonal tidal fluctuations.

There are other small boat harbors that are used solely to anchor the small fishing boats when not in use.

Quinhagak, Alaska

The City Dock in Quinhagak

Bank Erosion

There has been and continues to occur, substantial erosion along the banks of the Kanektok River.  Most notable is the erosion on the banks of Kanektok River at the location of the old airport.  The old airport was decommissioned in 2004 because of the rate and magnitude of erosion.  This situation is exacerbated duing the spring months when the river is at its highest and swiftest levels.

Erosion is also taking its toll on the City Dock and harbor area.  The peninsula of land between the harbor and the Kuskowim Bay continues to narrow due to erosion.  Should this fail, the city dock and harbor will not be sheltered from open waters.  Additionally, more materials from erosion will fill the harbor rendering it non-navigational.   

On the right bank of the harbor is the "Old Village' which is in a precarious situations.  The Old Village is impacted by high tides and storm surges.  In the past forty years the old cemetery has been lost and houses have had to be moved to escape falling into the river.

Fish drying racks and fish-smoking sheds, located a little further up the river, have been lost or moved due to erosion. 

Kanektok River Channel Dredging

EXISTING STATUS:

The entrance to the Channel and the maneuvering area within the harbor are located on the left bank of the mouth of the Kanektok River at the far end of the Village.

The channel and harbor in front of the Quinhagak city dock is the only location in Quinhagak that can accommodate any barges or large vessels. It is also the primary location for the delivery of salmon by local commercial fishermen.

Tidal parameters at the mouth of the Kanektok River are similar to those determined by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Eek Bay.

 

FUTURE NEEDS/PROPSED:

• The Dredging Project would rehabilitate the existing waterway leading to the city dock. The waterway is currently very shallow and this burdens the commercial fishermen, the local fish processing plant and the commercial catch itself as it prevents efficient use of time for prompt delivery of fish.
• Dredging would revitalize the harbor and use of the city dock by increasing the capacity to receive barges and larger vessels more often and through a longer season.
• The Community of Quinhagak depends on the Kanektok River for the deliveries of essential goods, supplies, and fuel and as a source of livelihood. The proposed dredging would provide Quinhagak with a safe, navigable channel from deep water through the tidal flats to the city dock.

The risks associated with not doing anything are high and costly. It is costly not only in terms of dollars, but also in terms of potential injury and loss of life.

Tidal cycles and weather can create significant delays and costs to the delivery of goods and supplies. As recent as the 2001 commercial fishing season, Coastal Village Seafood had to fly in fuel to keep the fish processing plant in operation. This resulted in a 71% increase in fuel costs.

The Kanektok Dredging Project will result in safe and navigable channel for barges, large vessels and small boats (such as those used by commercial fishermen)
(a) Reduce the potential for injury and loss of life
(b) Reduce damage and associated costs to boats, barges and other vessels
(c) Reduce additional shipping/freight charges caused by delays
(d) Reduce project delays and associated costs caused by delays

Improved Access to the City Dock will:(a) Increase boat traffic consisting of barges. Become recognized as an accessible staging port. Within the next three years, Alaska Villages Electric Corporatoin is hoping to advance construction of a bulk fuel tank farm and power plant upgrade to be located near the barge landing area. If the dredged material was of appropriate quality, it could be utilized as fill material for a pad for the new bulk fuel and power plant facility.
(b) Increase potential for fuel storage/consolidation operations as a large-scale storage facilities for barge and/or aviation based deliveries to area villages.
(c) Perhaps be considered as a part of the Alaska Marine Highway System.
(d) Increase tender availability at the city dock increasing their warning potential.
(e) Increase effectiveness and effiiciencies of local delivery system to the local fishery. More fish, and fresher fish results in more processing, which results in more employment opportunities.

Transportation Systems Conections:(a) Dredging will improve the efficiencies of receiving and delivery of fish to the local fishery. The Coastal Villages Seafood fishery is located adjacent to the city dock. Local commercial fisherman will be able to deliver as needed when needed. they will not be dependent upon the tides to make it to the dock. The ice tender can also deliver to fishermen more often, improving the quality of fish.

(b) As more fish are delivered more often, fish processing may increase. This will result in a quicker turnaround of outbound cargo flights. This may also result in additional job openings at the fishery.

(c) Increase for potential for fuel storage/consolidation operations as a large-scale storage facility for barge and/or aviation based deliveries to area villages.

Stage of Project: This new project is in the planning stage. An application for Department of the Army Permit and the Coastal Project Questionnaire and Certification Statement has been submitted. Tribal Administrator Henry F. Mark has been given authority to act on behalf of the Native Village of Kwinhagak in all matters concerning this project when dealing with the Corps of Engineers. Preliminary discussions have already begun.

Permit 2-880783 (Kanektok River 5) was issued from the U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska to the City of Quinhagak. It was originally signed in June 1992 and revised in 1995. While this permit was available from renewal each year through 2005, it was never renewed.

Community Support:(a) A Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Quinhagak, Qanirtuuq Inc., and the Native Village of Kwinhagak, has been approved which enables access to the harbor by the project workers and planners.
(b) Resolution 06-11-36 was approved by the City of Quinhagak and the Native Village of Kwinhagak establishes the Kanektok River Dredging Project as an essential community project.
(c) An MOA already exists between the City of Quinhagak and the Native Village of Kwinhagak that consolidates the City and Tribal Administration for efficiency, savings and strength in a unified approach.

Maintenance:(a) The waterways that will be dredged as a result of this project will more than likely need to be dredged once a year due to the dynamic nature of the river and weather conditions.

(b) We will pursue having the dredging activity as a federally authorized navigation project.

(c) If approved as a federally authorized navigation project, after the project is implemented the Corps of Engineers would do periodic hydrographic condition surveys to determine if the depth is still at the authorized level.

Design and/or Construction Financial Contributions:(a) Quinhagak is proud to claim that we do have the trained manpower and working equipment to readily support the implementation of this project.

(b) Further financial contributions to the implementation of this project, if funding by the Denali Commission is approved, will be through Coastal Villages Region Fund.

(c) A Memorandum of Agreement between the Native Village of Kwinhagak, Qanirtuuq, and the City of Quinhagak assures us full access to the harbor through the city dock area.

Roads / Trails / Boardwalks

EXISTING STATUS:

The community currently has 20 major roads to access housing and community facilities. Additional transportation arteries consist of minor foot and snowmachine/ATV paths, and boardwalks, which provide pathways between the major arteries and community facilities.

The existing road network is constructed primarily from pit-run material. The thickness of the road embankment is between two and three feet. In the summers of 1998 and 1999, two new roads were constructed to access the Arolik River (Arolik River Road) and Kuskokwim Bay (Beach Access Road). During this construction project, two main arteries, Carter Road and a portion of Qanirtunq Drive, were upgraded. Upgrading included widening and re-surfacing. During 2000 and 2001 a new road to connect the fish plant with the main community docking area (Fish Plant Road) was constructed. A new Quinhagak Airport access road (Airport Road) was constructed in 2002.

Kwinhagak roads are dusty during the summer, and slippery and unsafe during rains. A major concern identified by NVK with the current road system is dust created from gravel surfaced roads. Potholes have also been a recurring problem appearing on roads, which help to drive up maintenance costs beyond O&M funding. Also, the Native Village of Kwinhagak has expressed concern about pedestrian safety on their roads as a result of inadequate signage.

There is no formally constructed drainage system. Culverts are placed when needs arise. Although the roads are generally well drained, there are roadside drainage ponds at the side of the roads through the flat and low-lying areas. This is particularly noticeable along the area bordered by Qanirtunq Drive and Carter Road.

The existing drainage system throughout the Native Village of Kwinhagak is not adequate to eliminate heavy ponding along the roads. The roadside ponding not only erodes the road embankment but also contributes to an unstable road subgrade. High traffic volume intersections, including those recently upgraded, are eroding and showing excessive wear on their inside corners, due to runoff and ATV traffic. The super-elevations at some of these intersections raise safety issues for full sized vehicles travelling at excessive speeds.

Firgure 1, below summarizes the Road, Length, Width, and current problem(s) pertaining to the road:

In August 2007, NVK, Northern Management and CE2 Engineers hosted a community planning workshop in Quinhagak during which members of the community expressed their thoughts and concerns regarding the current and future community transportation needs.  The gathering brought together many of the key community leaders spearheading development in the community.  These meetings enabled planners and engineers from Northern Management and CE2 to assist NVK in assessing the existing conditions of the roads and planning for future development. The following maps indicate new, proposed roads, in bold:

FUTURE NEEDS:
Improved Signage: To ensure adequate levels of traffic safety, 19 stop signs and 3 yield signs are required to regulate ATV, snowmachine and full sized vehicle traffic. These signs will also increase pedestrian safety as they will reduce blind corner turning and promote driver awareness. To enforce the recently instated 15MPH-speed limit, 9 speed limit signs will be installed throughout the community.

Improved Road Surface: To address the NVK dust concerns caused by the gravel roads, NVK would like this problem addressed through the implementation of a dust control method to limit the dust in the community. Although asphalt pavement is the most attractive alternative to alleviate dust problems, cost and geotechnical considerations necessitate the exploration of other methods.

As an alternative to asphalt pavement, other methods of dust control that could be implemented include calcium chloride surface treatment, water saturation treatment (DTC) and road oyl surface treatment. A project should be implemented over a three-year period, to adequately determine which dust control method is suitable for the roads, climate and traffic of the NVK.

Improved Drainage: It is important that the drainage system is improved to prevent the road subgrade from becoming saturated, to direct the drainage away from the development area and to improve public safety.

The Native Village of Kwinhagak has five main objectives for the road and drainage improvements:

1. to improve surface drainage throughout the community;
2. to improve road surfaces to control dust levels;
3. to ensure that all roads in the community meet the same standards;
4. to improve pedestrian safety throughout the community; and
5. to improve vehicle safety throughout the community;

With the exception of the new roads (Arolik River Road, Beach Access Road and Airport Road) and recently upgraded roads (Carter Road and Qanirtunq Drive), roads in Kwinhagak are generally too narrow, are eroding and sinking, and are poorly graded. The recommended upgrades to bring the existing NVK road and drainage systems system to an adequate level of safety and service include:

• Build up road embankment to 4’ above the tundra;
• Widen all major roads to 22’ and provide 3:1 side slopes;
• Upgrade 3.5 miles of existing major road;
• Upgrade 0.85 miles of minor/access road;
• Construct 100 driveways;
• Install 29 – 24” culverts;
• Install 104 – 18” culverts;
• Install 19 stop signs, three yield signs and nine 15-MPH speed limit signs; and
• Conduct calcium chloride and DTC dust control pilot test along 2 miles of Airport Road.

(Taken from Road and Drainage Improvements Pre-Design Report, David Nairne & Associates Ltd, 2002)

Street Lights

Issue:

•  

  There is a concern for increased safety during the dark hours of the day and/or night.  Not all streets have adequate lighting.

   

•  

  For many, especially youth, walking is still the main mode of transportation, and walking in the dark poses safety issues.

   

Solutions:

• Install additional street lights on the main roads
• Install lighting for several of the boardwalks

Community Buildings

City & Tribal Offices (IRA & Chalet)

EXISTING STATUS:

As an option to new construction, the IRA building needs to be relocated to more suitable grounds.  While there is a trailer large enough to accommodate such a move, it will require much repair.

The selected location is the site where the Head Start was once located.  The existing pad is 110' x 100'.  The overall dimensions of the IRA building, according to measures done by the NVK Public Works Director, are 48'2" x 40'.

CE2 Engineers' David Beiswenger, E.I., is working on the foundation system replacement.

Fall 2009 Update:

At this time, the Tribe has scrapped plans to relocate the Tribal Office, and has instead designed a new Bingo Hall to be located on this site. Design was completed in the Fall of 2009, and materials are currently being ordered for construction.