34 



A Commilment to Alaskans Rural Strategy 



ACTION STRATEGY; 



Form an Interagency Task Force. 



Due to the magnitude of sanitation needs in rural Alaska, a unified, multiagency approach to problem 

 solving is necessary. An Interagency Task Force will be established to review, analyze, and recommend 

 policies, standards, and solutions for formulating a federal/State/community twenty year rural sanitation 

 strategy. The Task Force will consist of individuals, groups, and agencies representing a variety of 

 interests and disciplines. Representation will include State and federal agencies, local officials, the 

 Legislature, the University of Alaska, Health Corporations and rural leaders. Participation, input and 

 recommendations from experts in the areas of engineering, housing, finance, business, health and 

 education will provide the Task Force with the policy direction necessary to develop a comprehensive 

 twenty year strategy for meeting the water, sewerage, and solid waste needs in rural Alaska. 



Because of the complexity and number of issues at hand, the Task Force will work more efficiently if 

 divided into several subgroups. Each subgroup will be assigned specific issues to analyze and will be 

 responsible for reporting recommendations to the full Task Force for inclusion in the States rural 

 sanitation strategy. During the furst year of the strategy, the Department will concentrate on obtaining 

 program direction from Task Force recommendations on the following: 



Objective 1 Establish uniform standards for federal and 

 State housing 



The existing minimum water and sewerage service standards of State and federal housing 

 programs will be reviewed by the Task Force. Current standards will be examined for 

 compatibility widi the State's overall goal of providing water, sewerage, and solid waste 

 services to every Alaskan community. Where cuirent standards are inadequate, specific 

 parameters will be recommended as minimum health requirements. 



If adopted, these parameters would be required in every new home constructed in Alaska 

 by federal and State housing authorities. Additionally, methods for modifying plumbing 

 in existing homes which do not meet the minimum code will be explored. 



Objective 2 Develop a policy for subsidizing the operation 

 and maintenance of village owned facilities. 



The Task Force will review the feasibility of providing a subsidy program for operation 

 and maintenance of village sanitation facilities. Many villages do not have the population 

 or economic base to adequately budget for operation , maintenance and replacement costs 

 related to providing sanitation services. These costs will be reviewed and compared to 

 the average household income in each rural region of the State to determine an equitable 

 solution to O&M budgeting. The cost of subsidized O&M will then be compared to the 

 cost and benefits achieved though expansion of the Remote Maintenance Worker 

 Program. 



20. 



