09-20 Support for communities that need to relocate

Published on November 10th, 2009

By ALEX DEMARBAN

Summary

AFN will advocate for governmental assistance for communities threatened by flooding and erosion. Congress should create a lead federal entity to work with the lead state agency to help oversee village relocation efforts and efforts related to flooding and erosion.

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Full Text

RESOLUTION 09-20

SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES NEEDING RELOCATION FUNDING ASSISTANCE AND CREATING A LEAD FEDERAL COORDINATION AGENCY

WHEREAS: The 2009 Government Accounting Office's Report (GAO-09-55J) entitled "ALASKA NATIVE VILLAGES, Limited Progress Has Been Made on Relocating Villages Threatened by Flooding and Erosion." It identified, of the more than 200 Alaska Native Villages, 31 have imminent threats due to flooding and erosion; it also reported 12 of 31 villages have decided to relocate in part or entirely or to explore relocation options due to flooding and erosion; and

WHEREAS: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 117 Program Authority of fiscal year 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act was authorized to address storm damage, erosion and issues in Alaska communities at full federal expense was repealed by Congress in March 2009; and

WHEREAS: There is currently no one federal agency tasked with the authority to provide public infrastructure development to assist villages with flooding and erosion issues such as relocation of whole communities within their own geographical areas and to coordinate funding with the designated State coordinating agency; and

WHEREAS: The no action option for Alaska is the annihilation of our communities by dissemination. We Alaskans are unique, and need to be valued as a national treasure by the people of the United States. We deserve the attention and help of the American people and the federal government; and

WHEREAS: Four of the five communities identified by the state immediate action workgroup as needing serious consideration for an entire community relocation were planted at these vulnerable sites by the construction of the BIA schools in the mid 1930's. These four communities were situated safely inland, but to cut down on mobilization costs the BIA build the schools along the coast; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the delegates of the 2009 Annual Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives, Inc., that the Alaska Federation of Natives Board provide advocacy to all of the "Flooding, Erosion and Relocation needs of the most affected communities needing assistance and to provide the same advocacy for governmental assistance to those communities in the future that may need assistance; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that AFN provide advocacy for Congress to create a lead federal entity to work cooperatively with the lead State agency to coordinate and oversee village relocation efforts and assistance relating to flooding and erosion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska Federation of Natives works with our Washington Delegation and Federal Government to mandate that the BIA assist the state and federal agencies currently working with these communities in seeking funding for immediate and long-term solutions; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we call upon the Alaska Congressional delegation to introduce and seek passage of language, similar to the section 117 language, which previously provided for full funding of Corps of Engineers' projects to aid in the protection and relocation of our threatened communities.

SUBMITTED BY: THE NATIVE VILLAGE OF SHISHMAREF AND THE SHISHMAREF NATIVE CORPORATION

COMMITTEE ACTION: DO PASS

CONVENTION ACTION: AMENDED AND PASSED