Facilities, Utilities,
Schools and Health Care
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Water drawn from a mountain spring is treated and
stored in a 434,000 steel tank, and families haul water
from this source. The tank is filled for winter use,
but the water supply typically runs out around March.
The washeteria is then closed and residents are required
to melt snow and ice for drinking water. The City has
requested funds for a 600,000-gal. steel tank and to
improve the water catchment system. The school has requested
funding for a 500,000-gal. water storage tank to alleviate
demands on the City water supply, and as a community
back-up. All households use privies and honeybuckets.
The washeteria/clinic is served by a septic system and
seepage pit. Due to the soil condition, lack of ground
cover and steep terrain, PHS has found limited waste
disposal methods. Refuse is disposed on the pack ice
in winter; combustibles are burned. The City has requested
funding to implement refuse collection and purchase an
incinerator.
Electricity is provided by Diomede Joint Utilities.
There is one school located in the community, attended
by 39 students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Diomede
Health Clinic. Auxiliary health care is provided by
Diomede Volunteer Fire Dept./First Responders (686-3071).
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Economy and Transportation
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Little Diomede villagers depend almost entirely upon
a subsistence economy for their livelihood. Employment
is limited to the City and school. Seasonal mining, construction
and commercial fishing positions have been on the decline.
The Diomede people are excellent ivory carvers; the City
serves as a wholesale agent for the ivory. Villagers travel
to Wales by boat for supplies. Mail is delivered once per
week.
Due to constant winds from the north, accessibility is often limited. A
State-owned heliport allows for weekly mail delivery. There is no airstrip
due to the steep slopes and rocky terrain, so skiplanes must land on an
ice strip in winter. Few float plane pilots attempt to land on the rough,
often foggy open sea during summer. Regular flights are scheduled from
Nome, weather permitting. There is a breakwater and small boat harbor.
Skin boats are still a popular method of sea travel, 28 miles to Wales.
Cargo barge stops are irregular, due to sea or ice conditions, but deliver
at least annually. Lighterage services are available from Nome. |
Organizations with
Local Offices
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City - City of Diomede, P.O. Box 7039, Little Diomede,
AK 99762, Phone 907-686-3071, Fax 907-686-2192, E-mail: diomedeutilities@aol.com
Electric Utility - Diomede Joint Utilities, P.O. Box 7020, Diomede, AK
99762, Phone 907-686-3051, Fax 907-686-3061
Village Corporation - Diomede Native Corporation, P.O. Box 7040, Little
Diomede, AK 99762, Phone 907-686-3221, Fax 907-686-3222
Village Council - Native Village of Diomede, P.O. Box 7079, Little Diomede,
AK 99762, Phone 907-686-2175, Fax 907-686-2203 |
School District - Bering Straits Schools, P.O. Box 225,
Unalakleet, AK 99684, Phone 907-624-3611, Fax 907-624-3099,
E-mail: jadavis@bssd.org,
Web: http://www.bssd.org
Regional Native Corporation - Bering Straits Native Corp., P.O. Box 1008,
Nome, AK 99762, Phone 907-443-5252, Fax 907-443-2985, E-mail: bsncpresident@beringstraits.com,
Web: http://www.beringstraits.com/
Native Housing Authority - Bering Straits Housing Auth., P.O. Box 995,
Nome, AK 99762, Phone 907-443-5256, Fax 907-443-2160, E-mail: bsrha@nome.net
Regional Native Non-Profit - Kawerak, Incorporated, P.O. Box 948, Nome,
AK 99762, Phone 907-443-5231, Fax 907-443-4452, E-mail: webmaster@kawerak.org,
Web: http://www.kawerak.org
Regional Development - Bering Strait Dev. Council, P.O. Box 948, Nome,
AK 99762, Phone 907-443-9005, Fax 907-443-2591, E-mail: ced.pd@kawerak.org,
Web: http://www.kawerak.org
CDQ Group - Norton Sound Econ. Dev. Corp., 420 L St., Suite 310, Anchorage,
AK 99501-1971, Phone 907-274-2248, Fax 907-274-2249, E-mail: eugene@nsedc.com,
Web: http://www.nsedc.com |
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