09-16 Reform the state's Village Safe Water program

Published on November 10th, 2009

By ALEX DEMARBAN

Summary

The governor should review the program. The Legislature should direct the appropriate legislative committees to review it. The reviews should consider ways the program can operate more efficiently and more along the lines of the self-determination model. Review should consider forming local utility districts operated by tribal and municipal governments that would be accountable for completing VSW projects.

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Full Text

RESOLUTION 09-16

SUPPORTING THE ALASKA NATIVE COMMUNITY'S URGING REFORM IN THE OPERATIONS OF THE STATE OF ALASKA VILLAGE SAFE WATER ("VSW") PROGRAM

WHEREAS: There are 23l federally recognized in Alaska that are organized under the Federal Indian Reorganization Act; and

WHEREAS: With Federal, State and local tribal funding, the tribes provide housing, police, fire protection, health care and other vital government services to the residents of these tribal communities; and

WHEREAS: The Alaska VSW program is a program established and funded by the State of Alaska to eradicate water borne diseases, which are among the most common and easily eradicated diseases in rural Alaska; and

WHEREAS: Governor Sean Parnell had made improvements of the living conditions in rural Alaska a center piece of his administration and to that end both the Governor and the Alaska Legislature should give serious attention to the reform and revitalization of the VSW projects throughout rural Alaska; and

WHEREAS: Sewer and water construction projects operated on a self-determination model through local utility districts with the active participation of local communities and are likely to be much more responsive to local communities and are likely to be much more responsive to local needs and generally complete projects in a more timely and efficient manner that does the VSW program.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the delegates to the 2009 Annual Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives urges:

1. Governor Parnell to perform a comprehensive review of the organization, operation and performance of the Alaska VSW program to address its many short-comings;

2. The Alaska Legislature to direct the appropriate legislative committees to review the organization, operation and performance of the VSW program during the upcoming 2010 legislation session as a top legislative priority.

3. The Governor's and Legislature's review of the VSW program to consider ways in which the program can be reformed to become more efficient and to operate along the lines of the self-determination model

4. The review to include consideration for the formation of local utility districts operated by tribal and municipal governments that would be more directly responsible and accountable for the completion of the VSW projects.

SUBMITTED BY: ASSOCIATION OF VILLAGE COUNCIL PRESIDENTS

COMMITTEE ACTION: DO PASS

CONVENTION ACTION: PASSED