Georgetown 2013 Annual Meeting Environmental Report Summary
August 24, 2013
News From the Kuskokwim
First, there was an update on general environmental news from up and down the Kuskokwim River. This included fisheries, invasive species and Donlin Gold information.
Fisheries Report
We talked about how the Board of Fish met in January and accepted a revised management plan that was created by ADF& and stakeholders on the river. The new escapement goal ranges were:
65,000-120,000 Kuskokwim River drainagewide
4100-7500 Kwethluk River
4800-8800 Kogrukluk River
1800-3300 George River
We then went over each species of salmon that returned to the Kuskokwim and how the numbers were looking for Chinook, chum, sockeye & coho at the Bethel Test Fishery as well as the George River Weir.
Overall, numbers were fairly low again this year. What happened to the Chinook run? It looked as if it was a late run, so ADF&G managed based on that assumption. It started off looking good, but dropped off abruptly and never rebounded. What’s next? Strategies for next year? Discussions happening around the area. The Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group will meet on August 27th at 1 PM to discuss ideas. Would you like to help monitor by recording your subsistence catch? Let me know and I will add your name and address to the Salmon Harvest Calendar mailing list. You’d have a chance to win in several drawings for prizes up to $500!
 |
| photo credit: D Cannon, Butter & eggs in Georgetown |
Invasive Species Watch
We talked a little bit about what an Invasive Species is and handed out Alaska Invasive Species booklets to help members identify these plants in their own areas. An invasive plant is a plant not from the area that spreads aggressively and rapidly into natural areas and displaces native plants like berries.
 |
| photo credit: D Cannon, flowering spirea in Georgetown |
We also talked about what’s been found in Georgetown: Common plantain, lambsquarters, pineapple weed, Chickweed, dandelions, butter & eggs, and flowering spirea.
Donlin Gold EIS Update
Next up was some discussion on Donlin Gold and the EIS process. Donlin Gold filed a permit application to the Army Corps, which triggered compliance with NEPA, including an EIS or Environmental Impact Statement.
Right now, we are in the creation of the draft EIS phase. The next opportunity for official public comments will be after the issuance of the draft EIS, expected out late 2014. At that point, there will be a 90 day commenting period.
Some members of Georgetown expressed interest in talking with Donlin about our concerns for the area as well and doing it during this EIS process, while it is forefront in everyone’s minds.
Earlier in the process, there was a scoping period. Georgetown submitted official scoping comments during that time frame. Other people from the area did as well. Some of their concerns included:
Concern about the effects of the proposed levels of barge traffic on the Kuskokwim such as bank erosion, water levels, and increased spill/accident risk
Rapid change caused by mine development could make subsistence way of life more challenging.
Worry about the effects of mercury and other hazardous materials for fish, animal, and human health
Concern over the ways that mine construction and operation could affect the area‘s water
Damage to salmon habitat and the potential to contribute to declining salmon runs
General health and abundance of wildlife, migratory birds, waterfowl & shorebirds concerns
Worker safety, lifestyle changes, & behavioral health concerns
Georgetown Environmental Update
Next we moved onto Georgetown Specific updates.
Water Quality Report
We continued to collect baseline water quality data for the area surrounding Georgetown including 2 monitoring wells, the George River and the Kuskokwim River. Our water quality database is doing well and progressing. We now have Napaimute, Sleetmute and Georgetown data included, allowing for a more broad view of the health of the river.
To view the webmapper with results:
Community Outreach
We have been busy developing new tools to keep you informed!
If you haven’t visited our environmental website lately, please do so now. It includes photos, a link to our blog and up to date information on water quality, air quality, mining, climate change and fisheries.
Our environmental blog can also be found from this link. We currently have almost 1200 views! Do you have an idea of a topic to be covered on our blog? Let me know!
And finally, our bi-monthly E-newsletter, bringing you environmental news from the region and Georgetown members, as well as other environmental folks in the region. Please send me pictures, articles, recipes and more to be included in our next issue (due out in October)
IGAP Grant Status
Lastly, we discussed Georgetown’s IGAP grant status. Our current funding ends September 30, 2013. But there is reason to celebrate! We just received notification that we have been awarded EPA funding through the IGAP program for 2014 and 2015.
Looking Forward………. We have a busy couple of years ahead of us!
What kind of projects do we have in store? We will continue to collect water quality baseline data and update our webmapper and database. We will continue to reach out to tribal members via the above methods.
We will be starting an environmental committee, to keep on top of current issues in the region. We will be researching all that is involved in the collection of Tribal Ecological Knowledge (TEK) surrounding Georgetown. We will begin the collection of ASL data to document information on salmon Georgetown members are catching. We will be preparing for a summer camp to be hosted in 2016. And finally, we will be working toward the creation of an environmental curriculum that will be directed towards students who live in rural Alaska.
Tribal members present completed an Environmental Assessment survey that let me know which parts of the presentation were informative and pertinent. It also indicated which projects they would be interested in being involved with.
If you were not able to attend this year’s Annual meeting, please take the time to fill out this survey now and send it back to me.
Your participation would be GREATLY appreciated! We collected 9 surveys at the meeting, but I know there are more of you out there :)
All in all, it was a successful meeting with lots of fun, food and productive conversation.
Congratulations to David Buddy Kutch and Tamara Vanderpool for winning council seats in this year's election, and to Debby Hartman for winning the 2013 Tribal Member of the Year award.
Thanks again to all who donated door prizes, and to Buddy for hosting the meeting at his house!
