The Sustainable Lands Department was created in 2007. The vision of the department is to promote sustainable land use practices throughout the Watershed by building local capacity and addressing contaminated site issues. The department has worked with 40 Tribes and has identified over 230 contaminated sites.
The Sustainable Lands Department focuses on three major areas:
- Brownfields Tribal Response Program
- Community emergency response and planning
- Data warehouse and mapping
Brownfields Tribal Response Program
What is a Brownfield?
Brownfields are contaminated sites which could be targeted for cleanup and redevelopment. According to the EPA, a ‘brownfields site’ is defined as real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.
Examples of Brownfields:
- Old or illegal dumps
- Petroleum spills
- Abandoned or idle structures with lead paint, asbestos or other hazardous materials
- Old fuel storage areas or former gas stations
- Mine scarred lands
Brownfields Redevelopment Process
Action Plans
To view an Action Plan for a site that has received an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), click a link below:
2007
Arctic Village: Former Public Health Service Generator Building
Holy Cross: Abandoned Drums Site
2008
Hughes: Former Generator Building and Tank Farm
Kotlik: Former Dump Site
Koyukuk: Former Generator Building
2009
Hooper Bay: Abandoned Sewage Disposal Bunkers
Pilot Station: Abandoned Well Pump Station
Anvik: Former Alaska Village Electric Cooperative Power Plant and Fuel Storage Area
Participating Brownfield Program Communities
View Larger Map
Other Related Links
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation: Division of Spill Prevention and Response
Staff Contacts
Rose Hewitt - Fairbanks
Direct Phone: (907) 451-2552
E-mail: rhewitt@yritwc.org
Caleb Aronson - Fairbanks
Direct Phone: (907) 451-2558
E-mail: caronson@yritwc.org