Renewable resource development is major Bristol Bay goal

August 7th 8:40 pm | Margaret Bauman    

Southwest Alaska, a region steeped in cultural traditions and strong family ties, residents have spoken out emphatically about the importance of both, along with the need for better education and sustainable economic development.

All these concerns and more are contained in the responses to the Bristol Bay Regional Vision project, in meetings that engaged nearly 1,000 Bristol Bay residents from 27 communities between September 2010 and January 2011.

A presentation on the compiled themes that emerged from the community meetings, and plans to make them a reality, is scheduled for November, Ralph Andersen, chairman of the Bristol Bay Partnership, said Aug. 5.

"The way I see it, this will be an ongoing thing," Andersen said of the project. "There are different aspects of it and some of them now are being implemented, but not in a way directly connected to the vision statement.

"A big percentage of the population would like to see development of affordable energy," he said. There is also interest in increasing the number of commercial fishing permits held by residents and BBEDC has made an ongoing effort addressing that issue, he said.

Some of these activities are already taking place, not formally related to the vision project, he said.

Andersen, the chief executive officer of Bristol Bay Native Association, is overseeing the partnership of BBNA, Bristol Bay Native Corp., Bristol Bay Area Health Corp., Bristol Bay Housing Association and Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp. Funding for the project came from grants from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Alaska Conservation Foundation.

Andersen has worked closely with project commissioners Hjalmer "Ofi" Olson, Dillingham; Helen Gregorio, Togiak; John D. Nelson, Kokhanok; Molly B. Chythlook, Dillingham; Erin Peters, Naknek; Luki Akelkok, Ekwok; and AlexAnna Salmon, Igiugig.

In the community meetings that took place, project leaders found several themes emerging:

Participants in all the communities consider family, connection to the land and water, and subsistence activities to be the most important parts of their lives today, and expect this to remain true 25 years from now.

When asked what they would like to change in their communities, the most often cited thoughts were to put an end to alcohol and drug abuse and fear of domestic violence.

Residents also spoke strongly of the need for good education to prepare youth to graduate with the skills they will need for success in college or vocational schools.

Residents said they welcome sustainable economic development based largely on renewable resources. Overwhelmingly, the people said large development must not threaten land and water.

Residents also expressed the belief that they can live health and productive lives in Bristol Bay communities for the next 25 years.

The vision statement itself expresses optimism for future generations living healthy and productive lives in Bristol Bay, with excellent schools, safe and health families, local jobs and an understanding of the region's cultural values and traditions.

The vision statement also speaks to the importance of local voices in management of the region's natural resources, and cooperation between local and regional entities to coordinate infrastructure planning for stronger, more affordable communities.

"I am very optimistic," Andersen said. "It was an effort undertaken by the Bristol Bay Project, the effort of the five organizations, and that is what it will take to put it all together. I give all credit to the group as a whole," he said.

Details about the project are at http://www.bristolbayvision.org

 

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Margaret Bauman can be reached at mbauman@alaskanewspapers.com, or by phone at 907-348-2438