The following information was provided by the Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs, Research and Analysis Section, (Phone: 907-465-4750 Fax: (907) 465-2948, e-mail: Michael Cushing MCushing@ComRegAf.state.ak.us, Updated 6/1/97)

Kasigluk

Current Population: 512

Incorporation Type: Unincorporated

Borough Located In: Unorganized

Taxes: No taxing authority

Location and Climate

Kasigluk is on the Johnson River in the Kuskokwim River Delta, 26 miles northwest of Bethel. The community is comprised of Old and New Kasigluk, surrounded by the Johnson River and a network of lakes. It lies approximately at 60° 52' N Latitude and 162° 32' W Longitude. The area encompasses 18.9 sq. miles of land and .4 sq. miles of water. The area's precipitation averages 16 inches annually, with snowfall of 50 inches. Summer temperatures range from 62 to 42; winter temperatures are 19 to -20.

History, Culture and Demographics

It is an Eskimo village listed as one of the "Tundra Villages" in the 1939 U.S. Census starting with a population of 66. A post office was established in 1962. Kasigluk was incorporated as a city in 1982. In 1996 the city government was dissolved in favor of the traditional village council. 95.3% of the population are Natives. A federally-recognized Native organization is located in the community. Kasigluk is a community practicing a fishing and subsistence lifestyle. The sale or importation of alcohol is prohibited in the village. During the April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 105 total housing units, and 16 of these were vacant. 88 jobs were estimated to be in the community. The official unemployment rate at that time was 34.8%. 66.3% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $26,563, and 20.4% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care

Treated well water is hauled from the community washeteria, and individual wells are also used throughout the village. The school has its own well, and needs a new water treatment system. Honeybuckets and a sewage lagoon are used for sewage disposal. Since homes are not plumbed, residents are reliant on the washeteria for bathing and laundry. The existing washeteria needs major improvements. The Akula Heights subdivision has requested funding for its own washeteria. The landfill does not meet DEC standards, and is located on a flood plain. Electricity is provided by Nunapitchuk. Electricity is provided by: AVEC. There are 2 schools located in the community, attended by 151 students altogether. The local health clinic is Kasiguk Health Clinic.

Economy and Transportation

The school, commercial fishing, retail businesses and village government provide the majority of employment in Kasigluk. Subsistence activities contribute significantly to household diets. 46 residents hold commercial fishing permits, mainly for salmon set net and herring roe fisheries. A State-owned 2,500' lighted airstrip provides chartered or private air transportation year-round. The airport has undergone major improvements recently. Locals use skiffs to travel to Bethel and other area villages during the summer, and snowmachines in the winter. Although there are no docking facilities, barges from Bethel deliver fuel and supplies during summer months.

Local Organizations

Village Corporation - Kasigluk Incorporated, P.O. Box 39, Kasigluk, AK 99609,

Phone 907-447-6113, Fax 907-447-6026

Village Council - Native Village of Kasigluk, P.O. Box 19, Kasigluk, AK 99609,

Phone 907-477-6927, Fax 907-477-6212

Regional Organizations

School District - Lower Kuskokwim Schools, Box 305, Bethel, AK 99559,

Phone 907-543-4800, Fax 907-543-4908

Regional Native Corporation - Calista Corporation, 601 W. 5th Avenue #200,

Anchorage, AK 99501, Phone 907-279-5516, Fax 907-272-5060

Regional Health Corporation - Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp., P.O. Box 528,

Bethel, AK 99559, Phone 907-543-6300, Fax 907-543-6006

Regional Development - Lower Kuskokwim Ec. Dev. Coun., P.O. Box 2021,

Bethel, AK 99559, Phone 907-543-5967, Fax 907-543-2255

Housing Authority - AVCP Reg. Housing Authority, P.O. Box 767, Bethel, AK

99559, Phone 907-543-3121, Fax 907-543-2270