In 2000 the Native Village of Port Lions successfully negotiated an U.S. EPA Indian General Assistance Program grant, and our Environmental Department was created to strengthen and build management capacity for addressing local environmental issues. We are now in our 8th year of successful grant administration.
Accomplishments
The NVOPL Environmental Department has made significant progress in many areas, including solid waste/recycling/scrap metal, water quality, Freon removal, indoor air quality, and outdoor air quality. We are just beginning to address additional areas such as oil spill response and underground storage tanks/soil contamination.
The NVOPL Environmental Department maintains two full-time employees, and issues quarterly newsletters to community residents and tribal members. We have developed strong working relationships with many local, state and federal partner organizations.
We have built an extensive recycling program which accepts:
Ø Aluminum cans
Ø All plastic products
Ø Cardboard and paper (including catalogs and magazines)
Ø All electronic devices (including televisions and computers)
Ø Used ink cartridges
Ø Used batteries
Ø Fluorescent light bulbs
Ø Oil-based and latex paint
Ø Used anti-freeze
Ø Aerosol cans
Ø Small propane cylinders
Many environmental planning documents are in place, and we have formed a Village Environmental Committee to provide direction to the Environmental Department. If you are interested in participating on this Committee, please contact Amanda.
Goals
The NVOPL Environmental Department will continue to identify and plan cost-effective management for local environmental issues. We will increase our ability to facilitate recycling programs for our community, and we will continue to develop partnerships with other organizations. We intend to improve our education and outreach program by working closely with local youth and by creating an informative webpage on the portlions.net website.
To report dead Sea Otters please contact 1-800-362-5148 United States Fish and Wildlife Service
To report oil and hazardous substance spills please contact (907) 269-3063 or 1-800-478-9300 Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
