THE HOLY CROSS LANDFILL PROJECT

The Holy Cross Tribal –IGAP Staff Elsie Sims, IGAP Coordinator since September 2009.Brenda A. Sims, IGAP Assistant Coordinator since February 2011

Contact Information:P.O. Box 89 Holy Cross, AK 99602Phone:(907) 476-7308 Fax: (907) 476-7132Email: igapholycross@gmail.com

IGAP’s HistoryThe Holy Cross Tribal Council applied for a Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP) Grant with the Environmental Protection Agency and was approved in 2006. One of the IGAP goals is to find better ways to manage solid waste. The City of Holy Cross and the Holy Cross Tribal Council signed a Memorandum of Agreement on May 14, 2008 which designated responsibility for certain duties regarding the Landfill site.

The Landfill site before the burnbox.

Clean up begins.

The Landfill with the burnbox in operation.

The IGAP staff is currently working on hiring a Landfill Technician and purchase fencing. Once these are in place the dump site will be fenced off. Landfill Technician will manage procedures inside the dumpsite and operate and maintain the burnboxes. This system is safe and more efficient. A schedule will be posted for hours of operation for trash drop-off.

SEGREGATION OF HOUSEHOLD WASTEEach household must start to separate their waste items into one of three disposal groups before bringing them to the dump or recycling drop-off:Recycling Landfill BurnboxAll types of household batteries Glass PaperAll types of vehicle batteries Carpet Food scrapesOld computers Treated wood Wax coated fish boxesCopiers Plastics Untreated woodInk cartridges Tires / rubber Natural fiber ropeHot water heaters Foam/Styrofoam Ranges Scrape metal Refrigerators Propane bottles#1 PETE Plastic Containers DiapersWashers Synthetic fish nets & ropeElectronics Building materials (insulation, wiring) Fluorescent light bulbs FurnitureAluminum cans Appliances (toasters, blenders, etc.)Old trucks, four wheelers Food cans snow machines, etc. Card boardPrinters Laundry soap containersFreezers Smoke Detectors Dryers

QUESTIONS:Why change things at the dump site? Changing how we dispose of our waste will be better for the environment and better for wildlife and human health. It will also increase the lifespan of the landfill. Why is open burning banned at the dumpsite?The components used to make certain items can be very hazardous when burnt. Burning releases particles into the air which land on vegetation. Animals eat the vegetation, people eat the animals. It’s a cycle ofcontamination. Breathing the smoke can effect your health. Young children and Elders are the most vulnerable.

Why fence off the dump site and hire a Landfill Technician? The waste will be contained within the fenced area. Animals won’t have access to the landfill waste.

People don’t have to breathe concentrated toxic dump smoke. The Landfill Technician will be trained and wear protective gear. The Technician will manage and maintain the burnboxes and the landfill disposal area on a regular basis.

The landfill will be well managed and contained.