02J95801

**Description:** This agreement provides funding under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to the University of Virginia.

Specifically, the project will allow the University of Virginia, working in Utqiagvik, AK, to improve storm- and melt-water infrastructure and management; preserve Inupiat traditions and cultural sites; enhance Barrow local utilities' readiness and preparedness, and strengthen local capacity; improve residential sanitation by connecting unserviced homes to modern water/sewer systems; and protect the community's drinking water lagoon.

**Activities:** The activities include a comprehensive drainage study of the city to inform infrastructure upgrades and sustainable water, snow and permafrost management, and implementing identified upgrades to better respond to increased precipitation, flooding and associated permafrost degradation; installing thermosiphons in traditional ice cellars with upgraded drilling equipment, and installing and improving drainage and restoring disturbed tundra vegetation to reduce flooding at the community's cemetery; upgrading or expanding critical heavy-duty maintenance vehicles that are better equipped for the Arctic conditions to enhance the local utility's readiness and preparedness, and strengthening local workforce capacity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and occupational hazards, and creating and expanding programs that build knowledge and jobs in sustainable water, snow and permafrost management; connecting unserviced homes to modern water/sewer systems, eliminating or reducing the use of honey buckets, human waste spillage, and associated environmental and human health risks; and protecting the community's drinking water lagoon by conducting comprehensive feasibility studies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances remediation/removal and algae bloom mitigation.

**Subrecipient:** The subaward with Barrow Utilities and Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BUECI) will cover water and sewer connections for unserviced homes, upgrade of heavy-duty vehicles to improve readiness and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and occupational hazards, feasibility studies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and algal growth mitigation in the community drinking water lagoon, material costs to stabilize subsiding BUECI structures due to permafrost degradation, and continuing education for BUECI leadership and members.

The subaward with North Slope Borough (NSB) will cover improvements to drainage infrastructure and cover materials, and civil works to stabilize permafrost and reduce meltwater flooding, improve pumping operation of newly added sewer tanks, conduct a community-wide drainage assessment and produce an action plan for stormwater/meltwater management, continuing education for NSB leadership and public works operators, and internships/apprenticeships between Department of Public Works and I#7735;ISA#289;Vik College's workforce development program.

The subaward with the City of Utqiagvik (COU) will allow for improvements to the cultural site of Imaiqsauq Cemetery and cover drainage design, drainage installation and expansion, improved snow and meltwater management, gravesite revegetation, and repatriation of gravesites including new coffins and cultural re-burial ceremony.

The subaward with the Inupiat Community of Arctic Slope (ICAS) will cover the purchase and shipping of thermosiphons and an auger drill to be used for their ice cellar preservation project.

The subaward with the Arctic Infrastructure Development Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will allow the AIDC to provide on-site assessments, and review and consultation on feasibility studies and ice cellar preservation.

**Outcomes:** The anticipated deliverables include a storm (melt)water infrastructure and management study/action plan, and implementation of the recommendations identified in the plan; acquisition of thermosiphon installation equipment and installation of thermosiphons.

Rector & Visitors Of The University Of Virginia

2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 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

66.616 - Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program

EPA Region 10: Seattle [EPA - RO]

UtqiaġVik, 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 04/30/28 to 05/02/25.