Port Heiden Vulnerability Assessment

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Bristol Bay Native Association, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks partnered with the Port Heiden Traditional Council to conduct a vulnerability assessment from a One Health perspective.

This approach includes environmental impacts to community health, but also includes an economic focus. Through the vulnerability assessment process, a need for improved water quality and local food production were identified as focus areas.

During a workshop with the community, the project team also identified how improved water quality could benefit the community through a new seafood processing facility. The project team identified potential opportunities such as creating a new port for fishing vessels, creating an air transportation hub for the export of seafood, and facilitating tourism activity at the nearby Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve.