• Policy Category: Drinking Water
• State: Alaska
• Date Implemented: 7/28/2016

07/28/2016

Established a committee to research the estimated number of homes without safe water and sewer systems, with the goal of providing safe and sustainable water and sewer systems for all communities and rural areas of the state. 

• Committee includes 10 members, mostly appointed by the members of the Bush Caucus (the ‘Bush Caucus’ generally refers to legislators representing rural districts). “The advisory committee shall develop and submit findings and proposed legislation addressing the provision of safe and sustainable water and sewer systems to all rural areas of the state.” Committee was to prepare a report with findings and proposed legislation by December 1, 2017… In developing its findings and legislation, the advisory committee shall, to the extent possible, 
  • “(1) establish an accurate estimate of the number of homes without safe water and sewer systems; 
  • (2) determine the state’s needs in providing safe water and sewer systems to rural residents and establish a methodology for determining which projects should be prioritized among those needs; 
  • (3) explore which water and sewer system technologies are most appropriate for use in rural communities in the state; 
  • (4) research water and sewer systems used in other Arctic nations; 
  • (5) determine means by which state and federal resources, funds, and agencies might be better coordinated to construct, maintain, and service water and sewer systems; 
  • (6) investigate and recommend strategies to protect public investments in rural water and sewer systems and promote the long-term operational life of rural water and sewer systems by ensuring, to the greatest extent practicable, that the systems can be maintained by local personnel and with local resources; 
  • (7) investigate and evaluate previous state and federal efforts to provide water and sewer systems in rural areas of the state; 
  • (8) consult with representatives of appropriate state and federal agencies regarding how safe water and sewer systems might be more quickly provided to the rural areas of the state; and 
  • (9) hold public hearings and employ other means the advisory committee determines will best solicit useful information on rural water and sewer needs from the residents of the state.” 

• Action Agency(ies): Legislative committee (Bush Caucus)
• Read the full policy language