02J95601

Description: This agreement provides funding under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to Native Village of Kipnuk.

Specifically, the Kipnuk Riprap Riverbank Stabilization Project will add riprap to build a revetment along a segment of the Kugkaktlik River referred to as Reach 3.

Bank stabilization accomplished through the project will provide erosion protection and will prevent critical community infrastructure along the embankment from falling into the river.

The project also includes removal of hazardous waste at risk of falling into the river, workforce development through training, and community engagement at meetings.

Activities: The activities to be performed include building a revetment to stabilize the riverbank and removal of hazardous waste, deteriorated construction materials, and fuel tanks that are at risk of falling into the Kugkaktlik River.

Other activities include bulldozer training, project manager training, bookkeeper training, and other trainings/capacity building for tribal employees and community members, as well as hosting seven community meetings to ensure that the community is informed of important issues and activities, and to receive community input, guidance, and feedback.

Subrecipient: Subaward activities implemented through Alaska Institute for Justice (AIJ) include coordination of logistics, assistance, support, guidance, capacity building training, project management oversight, and serving as a liaison between Native Village of Kipnuk, contractors, agencies, and vendors.

Additionally, AIJ will travel to Kipnuk for meetings (including community meetings) and trainings.

Subaward activities implemented through Zender Environmental for full suite of grant management services include preparation of requests for proposals, guidance and assistance in selection and contracting of project contractors, subaward agreements and monitoring, capacity building grant management and bookkeeping training, guidance and assistance for tribal employees, and grant closeout.

Outcomes: The anticipated deliverables include 1,424 feet of protected riverbank and approximately 1,900 feet of protected boardwalk.

The project will also remove hazardous waste and deteriorated materials, remove fuel tanks at risk of falling into the Kugkaktlik River, reduce permafrost thaw, prevent relocation, reduce response time to emergencies, and reduce soaking of insulation, framing, flooring, and walls in homes and other structures caused by frequent flooding, reducing conditions that promote the growth of mold.

The expected outcomes include improved resilience of native grasses and tundra ecosystem from natural and climate change-accelerated erosion, extreme weather, and environmental degradation thereby increasing protection from flooding, storm surges, natural scouring, permafrost thaw, and watershed sedimentation.

Expected outcomes also include increased community mobility and access, maintaining barge access to the community, eliminating potential contamination in Kugkaktlik River, workforce development stimulating the local economy, and reducing costs associated with maintenance.

This project enables community to continue to live in the land they have inhabited since time immemorial, increases the protection of community and critical infrastructure during and after extreme weather events, reduces conditions that promote mold growth which reduces health risks from indoor air quality, and enables the community to carry out their subsistence activities while avoiding or preventing new pollution.

The intended beneficiaries are disadvantaged communities.

Native Village Of Kipnuk

2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS S - CROSS AGENCY STRATEGY S.1 - ENSURE SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND SCIENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL

66.616 - Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program

EPA Region 10: Seattle [EPA - RO]

Kipnuk Alaska Native Village Statistical Area, Alaska United States

City-Wide

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (EPA-R-OEJECR-OCS-23-04)

Termination This project grant was reported as terminated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in July 2025. See All
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been shortened from 02/29/28 to 05/02/25.