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Environmental Health and Engineering
Community Environment and Health
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Wellness, Resilience and Sustainability
The condition of the built and natural environment in Alaska Native communities has important implications for health and wellness.
The department of Community Environment and Health (CEH) works with Tribal partners to build local capacity and to encourage air, water, solid waste and other systems that are healthy and sustainable.
We provide surveys of homes and critical infrastructure, environmental assessments, training, and technical assistance. We also host the annual Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Management (ATCEM).
Services and Programs:
Environmental Health Services
Environmental Health focuses on how our natural and built environments affect our health.
Environmental Health Services includes two programs – the Anchorage Service Unit (ASU) Environmental Health program and the Tribal Water Center. ASU Environmental Health provides broad environmental health services. The Tribal Water Center provides assistance and training to water/wastewater utilities statewide.
Contact
ASU Environmental Health
907-729-3640
asuenvironmentalhealth@anthc.org
Tribal Water Center
907-729-3673
tribalwatercenter@anthc.org
www.tribalwater.org
Communities served in the Anchorage Service Unit
We work with Tribal partners and communities to help prevent illness and injury and promote health and well-being. We support health infrastructure and public health programs. Anchorage Service Unit (ASU) communities include:
Akutan, Atka, Cantwell, Chenega, Chistochina, Chitina, Cold Bay, Cordova, Eklutna, False Pass, Gakona, Gulkana, Igiugig, Iliamna, Karluk, King Cove, Kluti-Kaah, Kokhanok, Larsen Bay, Mentasta, Nanwalek, Nelson Lagoon, Newhalen, Nikolski, Ninilchik, Nondalton, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, Pedro Bay, Port Graham, Port Lions, Saint George, Saint Paul, Sand Point, Seldovia, Tatitlek, Tazlina, Tyonek, Unalaska, and Whittier.
If your community is not listed, we can help you reach the Environmental Health Office in your region.
About the ASU Environmental Health Program
We travel to ASU communities and conduct non-regulatory Environmental Health & Safety surveys for clinics, water/wastewater systems, landfills, and Head Starts. Our other services include:
Community Health Clinics
- N-95 fit testing
- Animal bite reports
- Fire extinguisher inspections
- Community Health Aide training
Water & Wastewater Systems
- Sanitary Surveys
- Backflow preventor testing
- Consumer Confidence Report assistance
- Operator training
Landfills
- Operator training
Head Start programs
- Staff and parent education
Rabies Prevention
- Rabies vaccinations
- Lay Vaccinator training
Education & Outreach
- Community education (mold, bed bugs, other topics at request)
- Youth education and resources
- Environmental Coordinator support.
ASU Environmental Health Resources
Tribal Water Center
Our goal is to serve as a resource to maximize the health and well-being of Alaska Native people through water and sanitation services.
The Water Center holds virtual water plant operator trainings throughout the year. You can find our trainings on the ADEC Training Calendar.
You can find our published research and a toolkit for Tribal water utilities on the TWC website.
TWC can sample for Lead in drinking water in schools and childcare facilities. If you are a Head Start or School interested in participating in the program, please email tribalwatercenter@anthc.org
Emergency Preparedness
The best time to be prepared for an emergency is before one happens.
Our Emergency Preparedness program assists Tribes and Tribal health organizations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and public health emergencies. We assist with the development of emergency plans, provide training and exercises to support the readiness of the Alaska Tribal Health System. When a disaster does occur, we help facilitate a response with our Tribal, federal, and state partners.
Contact
P: 907-729-4427
P: 907-729-3495
EP@anthc.org
Program Services
Consultative Services and Technical Assistance: ANTHC’s Emergency Preparedness program provides consultative services and technical assistance in order to build the emergency management capacity of the ATHS. We focus on the following four elements of the preparedness cycle: planning, training, exercise and evaluation/improvement planning.
Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) and Emergency Operation Plans (EOPs) for hospitals: The Emergency Preparedness program assists in creating ERPs and EOPs for hospitals as well as creating customizable training and workshops that address self-identified emergency management gaps. We also help hospitals develop exercises, specifically tabletop, functional and full-scale exercises. These are designed to educate participants and validate emergency preparedness policies and plans as well as identify opportunities for improvement.
Site visits: Our program also offers site visits intended to evaluate the readiness of Tribal health organizations and provide actionable recommendations for improvement. Site visits include but are not limited to reviewing the health organization’s EOPs, policies, training plans, facility management plans, operational mechanisms for command and control, communication and resource management.
These site visits conclude with a full report that captures findings and makes any necessary recommendations. Site visits are a resource for Tribal hospitals involved in the State of Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services’ Hospital Preparedness Program.
Response during emergencies: In an emergency or disaster, the Emergency Preparedness program works as a liaison, connecting communities, partners and Tribal health organizations with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the Department of Health and Social Services. When requested, the program will also send team members to communities to respond to disasters.
Contaminated Sites
We help Alaska Native communities address environmental contamination on Tribal and ANCSA-conveyed lands through technical assistance, site assessments, cleanup planning, and training support.
Please note: the ANTHC Tribal Response Program does not provide spill response services. To report a spill, please contact the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
Contact
907-729-4008
contaminatedsites@anthc.org
Brownfields
128(a) Program Overview
The ANTHC Contaminated Sites Program operates a Tribal Response Program funded under an EPA 128(a) Brownfields grant. We assist Tribes and Tribal organizations in identifying, assessing, and planning for the cleanup and reuse of brownfield sites — properties where possible or confirmed contamination may complicate reuse of the site. Our services include technical assistance, community engagement, and technical support.
Public Record
As part of our Tribal Response Program, we maintain a public record of brownfield sites where environmental assessment, cleanup, or monitoring activities have been conducted. This record is updated annually in accordance with EPA requirements. View the Contaminated Sites Public Record.
ANCSA Contaminated Lands
Following the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in 1971, some Native corporations received lands with pre-existing environmental contamination. The Contaminated Sites Program partners with Tribes and Native corporations to identify and address these sites, providing technical assistance, funding navigation, advocacy, and collaborative project planning.
ANCSA History
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) transferred millions of acres of land from federal ownership to Alaska Native corporations. However, some transferred lands contained environmental contamination from historic military, industrial, or government activities. Addressing these inherited sites is critical to protecting community health and restoring traditional lands.
ANCSA Partnership Group
We facilitate the ANCSA Contaminated Lands Partnership Group — a collaborative network of Tribes, Native corporations, federal and state agencies, and other partners working together to address ANCSA-conveyed contaminated sites. The group shares information, advocates for resources, and coordinates strategies for cleanup and reuse.
Technical Assistance and Training Services
We offer a range of technical assistance and training services to support community-led management of contaminated sites. Email our program to get more information on all of our offerings at contaminatedsites@anthc.org.
Resources
Visit our Resource Library for fact sheets, guidance documents, templates, and training materials to support your contaminated sites projects.
Request Assistance
If you have questions or need assistance with Brownfield sites, ANCSA contaminated lands, or any other contaminated site issues, please feel free to email us at contaminatedsites@anthc.org or fill out our contact form below. Our team will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Tribal Capacity
Communities in rural Alaska face many unique and complex environmental issues.
ANTHC’s Tribal Capacity and Training program provides technical assistance and training to Tribal governments to build capacity and enhance local environmental program management.
Air and Healthy Homes
Our Air and Healthy Homes project collaborates closely with Tribal partners to address local air concerns and achieve healthy home environments. Our projects focus on understanding and improving indoor and outdoor air quality and on identifying home environment challenges. We provide technical assistance, training, and specialized tools. ‘Purple Air’ particulate sensors provide information on community air quality. We also provide outreach materials and kits that offer strategies to keep homes clean, dry, safe, and pest and contaminant-free.
Tribal Environment Technical Assistance
Our Tribal Environment Technical Assistance (TETA) project supports local environmental programs across the state in developing, managing, and expanding their capacity and services. TETA provides webinars on a wide range of topics from waste backhaul to grant management. We provided training such as the 7 Generations Community Environmental Planning, Introduction to EP General Assistance Program (GAP), and the GAP Workshop, where environmental professionals from across the state meet for three days to develop grant workplans.
Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Management (ATCEM)
Tribal Capacity hosts the annual ATCEM conference, one of the largest Tribal environmental events in Alaska. ATCEM typically draws over 400 participants to the four-day conference. The conference features tracks on infrastructure, resilience, solid waste, one health, and sanitation. Hosting the conference is a major cross-organizational volunteer effort, with support from state and federal agencies, Tribes, Tribal organizations, and private companies. You can learn more at the ATCEM event page.
Be prepared for any emergency.
The Emergency Preparedness Program offers planning, training and technical assistance so your community is ready before an emergency happens (and knows what to do if one strikes).