A variety of State and Federal agencies have responsibilities for environmental sanitation in Alaska. However in Native villages the role of the Sate is primary regulatory. At present, Federal agencies are providing the loans or grants for a wide range of environmental systems. These agencies are supporting programs in housing, water supply and wastewater, and solid waste disposal.
The major housing program is under the auspices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in conjunction with the Alaska Fede ration of Natives. They are planning 6, 000 units of Native housing over the next five years. In addition, loans are available from the Farmers Home Administration and housing assistance grant funds are provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In support of housing construction, the Office of Environmental Health in the Indian Health Service constructs a variety of water supply and wastewater disposal systems in Native communities. Water supplies range from central watering points to recirculating pressurized systems. Wastewater collection and disposal systems include pit privies, septic tanks, conventional gravity, sewage lagoons, pressurized and vacuum sewers. Solid waste disposal problems still remain largely unanswered in most Native communities located in permafrost areas0 The Office of Environmental Health also administers an injury control program and provides sanitarian and sanitarian aide services to the Native people.
Peripheral to these agencies are the Alaska Village Demonstration Project and the Arctic Health Research Center. These agencies are engaged in research and dei:rionstration programs as opposed to the operating programs above. The Alaska Village Demonstration Project is providing central sanitary facilities for the villages of Wainwright and Emmonak. The Arctic Health Research Center conducts a broad range of environmental re search relating to various aspects of environmental sanitation problems such as would be found in villages in cold climates.