Representative Kevin McCabe introduced a bill amending the existing Village Safe Water Act to redefine what qualifies as a village.
McCabe’s proposed change would increase the maximum population of a village to 1,500 people. The current legislation defines villages as those communities with a population up to 1,000 residents. Talkeetna’s current population is just over that.
The Village Safe Water Program through the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, or DEC, works with rural communities to develop sustainable water and sewer facilities. To qualify for funding, the community must meet the definition of a village.
Trapper Creek was recently a recipient of Village Safe Water funds to install its water point in the community’s park. If the amendment passes, Talkeetna may be able to use Village Safe Water funds for similar projects.
