In a significant step toward rectifying decades of environmental injustice, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has applauded the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recent announcement of $2.5 million in federal funding for the assessment and cleanup of legacy contamination on lands conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA).
Senator Murkowski welcomed the news that three Alaska Native Corporations have been selected to receive the federal funding. The Ounalashka, Tyonek Native, and Ukpea?vik Iñupiat Corporations will be the first to receive grants from the newly created EPA program, which aims to address contamination on ANCSA-conveyed lands. The grants will be used for assessment and remediation of the contaminated sites, as well as community outreach.
"It is a stain on the federal government that contaminated lands were transferred to Alaska Natives under ANCSA," said Senator Murkowski. "The contaminants that remain on these lands are a threat to Alaskans, which is why I have prioritized a federal response to this longstanding environmental injustice."
Senator Murkowski played a key role in creating the EPA's Contaminated ANCSA Lands Assistance Program through the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill. She added $20 million to the program to establish and implement a grant program to help Alaska tribal entities address contamination on ANCSA-conveyed lands. The program aims to ensure that tribal entities have access to funds for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites.
"This announcement is just the start of promising news for tribal entities around the state, who are rightfully owed lands that are safe to use," Senator Murkowski stated. "I look forward to additional announcements from EPA in the near future that will support further efforts to improve the health and safety of Alaska communities."
Senator Murkowski has also included an additional $30 million for the program in her FY 2024 Interior-Environment Appropriations bill, which is currently pending before the full Senate. This funding will further support the assessment and cleanup of legacy contamination on ANCSA-conveyed lands.
The grants provided by the EPA program are a crucial step in addressing the environmental injustice faced by Alaska Natives and ensuring that contaminated lands are made safe for use. Senator Murkowski's ongoing efforts to secure funding for the program demonstrate her commitment to rectifying the historical injustices faced by indigenous communities in Alaska.
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