September 6, 2009

Emmonak to Get a New Landfill with $4.6 Million from Recovery Act

Rural water projects funded across the country

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich announced today that the City of Emmonak will receive a $3.2 million loan and a $1.4 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to construct a new landfill.

"After being signed 200 days ago, the Recovery Act is continuing to help improve communities across Alaska," Sen. Begich said. "These funds are welcome as they will help improve safety and sanitation in the community and create needed jobs."

The current landfill in Emmonak is an unpermitted open dump located on a Yukon River flood- plain, upstream from the village water supply. Because access is unrestricted, children often play in the area and animals feed on the trash, creating serious health concerns. The community's efforts to construct a new landfill have stretched over several years.

"Emmonak has faced many hardships in the past year, including one of the most difficult winters in recent memory," said Begich. "It is good to see investment in the community to help solve a problem which has been unresolved for far too long."

Emmonak's funds are part of $172.5 million in funding for water and environmental projects that the United States Department of Agriculture has allocated today. In total, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is expected to bring more than $1 billion to Alaska over the next two years, creating or sustaining some 8,000 jobs. Sen. Begich was a strong supporter of the legislation in the Senate and voted for its passage.

For more on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: http://www.recovery.gov/

From a Senator Mark Begich press release