GTC Environment Page
Click here to view updates and articles on the GTC environmental page.

GTC/ANA Tribal Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Camp
GTC is currently organizing the first ever “Tribal Leaders of Tomorrow” Youth Camp to be held in Georgetown summer 2008.  The two week camp is funded by a grant from the Administration for Native Americans and  will be geared towards Tribal members ages 15-19 and provide instruction on construction in remote areas, how to apply for scholarships, water quality testing as well as tours of Donlin Creek Mine and The George River weir and more.  Not only will we be accepting applications to attend the camp but we will also be looking for Counselors and a Cook to work at the camp.  The jobs will be temporary and run for the duration of the two week camp with a few days in of preparation and training in Anchorage.  We will have more information available in the upcoming weeks if you have any questions or comments please contact Will Hartman Tribal Member Liaison for more information. 1-888-274-2195, gtc.willh@gci.net

BIA Indian Reservation Roads Program
An Update of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Indian Reservation Roads Program
As Project Director I have been busy with the development of the Georgetown Tribal Council Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). It is in draft status and should be available to the Tribal Members soon. There are several more items to address and the LRTP should be completed and ready for adoption by the Council. Thanks to Dan Moreno for his untiring assistance in the work involved of draft the project.

GTC has 13 routes which they have identified and considered “high priority” in their effort to resettle to the “new” community. There were 7 routes that had problems with ownership. The State of Alaska Municipal Land Trustee (MLT) owned these routes; however they were reverted to the Tribe with a resolution of this deficiency. All the routes are owned by GTC and will be documented as soon as BIA has their database system up and operating. After BIA inputs the routes information into their data system GTC should have additional funds to drawdown for its roads program.

GTC submitted a projects nomination to the Denali Commission in November for boat/barge landing design funds. It is unfortunate this project did not get funded; however the good news is GTC has been asked by the Denali Commission to become a member of their boat/barge landing design committee, which GTC gladly accepted. With the knowledge gained as a member of the design committee GTC will take full advantage and pursue once again the boat/barge landing project nomination for next year’s project nomination. GTC will have a better and interesting application once it is offered to the commission based on the knowledge gained by being a member of the design committee. GTC will share this knowledge gained with Tribes in and outside the region.

In addition to the barge/boat landing GTC is in the process of contacting appropriate agencies and is seeking funds to purchase a barge to be utilized during the resettlement of Georgetown. This is in its initial stages and more work is required to make it a reality. 
Finally, have a wonderful and prosperous 2008.

-Luke Smith, Project Director