36 



A ConuniDnent to Alaskans 



Rural Strategy 



ACTION STRATEGY: 



Stabilize funding for rural water, sewer, and solid 



waste projects. 



It is virtually impossible for the S tate to enter the twenty-first century with hopes of providing every 

 Alaskan community with adequate sanitation services without a stable funding commitment for the 

 construction of necessary facilities. 



As shown in the graph below. State and federal funding of rural sanitation facilities has been 

 sporadic at best When State revenues were high, it was relatively easy for local governments to 

 obtain grants. However, as oil revenues declined so did the State's investment in water, sewerage, 

 and solid waste projects. The unpredictable nature of this "boom and bust " funding cycle has made 

 long term capital improvement planning virtually impossible for local governments. Likewise it 

 does not allow for a systematic, long term Statewide approach to address community sanitation 

 needs. 



History of State Funding for Rural Sanitation 1983- 1990 



$45,000,000 

 $40,000,000-1 

 $35,000,000-1 1 

 $30,000,000^ Hi 

 $25,000,000-; IHjii 

 $20,000,000^ HI 



$15,000,000 -3Ji 



$10,000,000 

 $5,000,000 



$0 



1983 



1986 



1987 



1988 



1989 



1990 



By committing to a stable Village Safe Water capital budget, the State, federal, and local 

 governments will be better able to plan for and finance public sanitation projects. 



24. 



