EPA - Indian General Assistance Program
Mt. Sanford Tribal Consortium (MSTC) is a Tribal Consortium of two federally recognized Tribes from the Copper River Basin, Mentasta and Chistochina. MSTC is currently managing an EPA IGAP grant, which has been utilized to address water quality issues, provide solid waste solutions and support to the region, assess and address tourism impact, implement environmental education in communities and schools, and to facilitate networking between the local conservation groups in the area.
MSTC has provided environmental support services to Chistochina and Mentasta since 2001. MSTC works directly with Cheesh’Na Tribal Council & Mentasta Traditional Council to identify each communities specific needs, and also areas of common concern. MSTC works to provide long term solutions and support to environmental problems in Chistochina, Mentasta, and the upper Copper River region. Areas of support include, environmental education in schools & community, watershed protection, tourism impact management, and solid waste management.
MSTC continues to provide leadership and opportunity in the area of eco-tourism education and development. In 2002 MSTC utilized an IGAP grant to research the environmental impact of tourism in the Copper River Valley, and within Tribal communities. The research findings were printed in a Tribal Tourism Planner, which provided information and action plans for Tribal communities dealing with environmental impacts from the tourism industry. The Tourism Planner has been distributed across the State, and local tourism workshops have been held around the concepts and methods outlined in the Planner.
In 2001 MSTC implemented a fuel tank monitoring program in Chistochina. Annual fuel tank inspections evolved into fuel tank clinics. Through clinics, the environmental coordinator was able to:
- monitor all tanks in community
- developed a recording system to document leaking tanks
- assist homeowners with tank repairs, thus
- provide education which will result in a sustainable solution.
The amount of fuel tanks that were leaking fuel on to the ground in Chistochina, has decreased by 80%.
The fuel tank monitoring program has been slower starting in Mentasta, due to not having a coordinator on site for several years. Nevertheless, MSTC has developed a tried and true program that has proven effective in Chistochina, and will be equally effective in Mentasta. Through continued, consistent, hands on effort, MSTC is aiming for zero leaks by 2008.
MSTC supports recycling efforts in both Chistochina & Mentasta, as well as on a regional level. Recycling Centers have been established in both communities, and MSTC has been instrumental in guiding & supporting a Regional Recycling effort. MSTC has provided direct leadership & support to an effort to develop a sustainable, user friendly, recycling transfer system for the entire Copper River Valley.
MSTC has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with ROAR (Recycling Our Areas Resources-local non-profit), to carry out this project. A solid, regional transfer system is vital to ensure the success of community recycling projects throughout the Copper River Area.
