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Yakutat
(YACK-uh-tat)
For Photos of Yakutat click here
For a Map of Yakutat click here
| Current Population: |
590
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
Home Rule Borough |
| Borough Located In: |
City & Borough of Yakutat |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 4%,
Property: 10.0 mills, Special: 1% Fish Tax; 8% Bed Tax; 8% Car Rental Tax; 4% Severance Tax
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| Coastal Management District: |
Yakutat |
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| Location
and Climate |
| Yakutat is isolated among the lowlands along the Gulf of Alaska, 225 miles northwest of Juneau and 220 miles southeast of Cordova. It is at the mouth of Yakutat Bay, one of the few refuges for vessels along this stretch of coast. The Hubbard and Malaspina Glaciers are nearby. Its boundaries are the Canadian border to the north, Cape Suckling to the west, and Cape Fairweather to the east. Yakutat Borough is within and surrounded by the Tongass National Forests, Wrangell St-Elias National Park and Preserve, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.It
lies at approximately 59.546940° North Latitude
and -139.727220° West Longitude
(Sec. 30, T027S, R034E, Copper River Meridian).
The area encompasses 7,650.5 sq.
miles of land and 1,808.8 sq. miles
of water. Yakutat has a maritime climate characterized by relatively mild, often rainy weather. Summer temperatures range from 42 to 60 °F; winter temperatures, 17 to 39 °F. Yakutat receives some of the heaviest precipitation in the state, averaging 132 inches of precipitation and 219 inches of snowfall. |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Yakutat has a diverse cultural history. The original settlers are believed to have been Eyak-speaking people from the Copper River area who were conquered by the Tlingits. Yakutat means "the place where the canoes rest." In the 18th and 19th centuries, English, French, Spanish, and Russian explorers came to the region. Fur traders were attracted to the region's sea otters. The Russian-American Co. built a fort in Yakutat in 1805 to harvest sea otter pelts. Because the Russians would not allow local Tlingits access to their traditional fisheries, a Tlingit war party attacked and destroyed the post. In 1884, the Alaska Commercial Co. opened a store in Yakutat. By 1886, the black sand beaches in the area were being mined for gold. In 1889, the Swedish Free Mission Church had opened a school and sawmill in the area. A cannery, sawmill, store, and railroad were constructed beginning in 1903 by the Stimson Lumber Co. Most residents moved to the current site of Yakutat to be closer to the cannery, which operated through 1970. During World War II, a large aviation garrison and paved runway were constructed. Troops were withdrawn after the war, but the runway is still in use. The City of Yakutat was formed in 1948, but, in 1992, the city was dissolved and a borough was organized for the region.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe; Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
The population of the community consists of 46.8%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The area maintains a traditional Tlingit culture with influences from the original Eyak Athabascans, as well as Russian, English, and American traders and miners. Fishing and subsistence activities are prevalent.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 499, and vacant housing units numbered 234.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 178.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 440 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
7.76 percent,
although
28.22 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $46,786, per capita income was $22,579, and
13.54 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from four wells and is treated and piped to all homes and schools in the community. Several wooden storage tanks provide pressure to the water system. Piped sewage receives primary treatment; a secondary treatment facility is nearing completion. A private firm collects refuse, and the borough operates the landfill. Electricity is provided by Yakutat Power, Inc., using four diesel-fueled generators.
Electricity is provided by Yakutat Power.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 124
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Yakutat Community Health Center (907-784-3932).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Yakutat is classified as a large town/Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 3A in the Southeast Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, limited marine, coastal, airport and floatplane access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Yakutat Volunteer EMS/Rescue (784-3206).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Yakutat's economy is dependent on fishing, fish processing, and government. 163 residents hold commercial fishing permits. North Pacific Processors is the major private employer. Recreational fishing opportunities, both saltwater and freshwater, are world-class. Most residents depend on subsistence hunting and fishing. Salmon, trout, shellfish, deer, moose, bear, and goats are harvested.
Like most of Southeast Alaska, Yakutat is relatively isolated with no road or rail access. The airport has daily commercial jet service that directly connects with Juneau, Cordova, Anchorage, and Seattle. There are also air taxis and float plane services to Yakutat. The state owns two jet-certified runways; one is 6,475' long by 150' wide of concrete, and the other is 7,745' long by 150' wide of asphalt. The airport is located 3 miles southeast of town, and a seaplane base is available 1 mile northwest. The U.S. Forest Service owns five airstrips in the vicinity, and the National Park Service operates one at East Alsek River. The borough operates the state-owned boat harbor and the Ocean Cape Dock. Monti Bay is the only sheltered deep water port in the Gulf of Alaska. Barges deliver goods monthly during the winter and more frequently in summer. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Borough -
City & Borough of Yakutat
P.O. Box 160
Yakutat, AK 99689
Phone 907-784-3323
Fax 907-784-3281
E-mail yakclerk@yakutatak.us; yakclerk@starband.net
Web http://www.yakutatak.govoffice2.com
Chamber of Commerce -
Greater Yakutat Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 510
Yakutat, AK 99689
E-mail hardway7@hotmail.com
Web http://www.yakutatalaska.com
Regional Native Non-Profit -
Yakutat Native Association
P.O. Box 418
Yakutat, AK 99689
Phone 907-784-3932
Fax 907-784-3595
E-mail yttgm@hotmail.com
School District -
Yakutat School District
P.O. Box 429
Yakutat, AK 99689-0429
Phone 907-784-3317
Fax 907-784-3446
E-mail roser@yakutatschools.org, hdiamond@yakutatschools.org
Web http://www.yakutatschools.org
Village Corporation -
Yak-Tat Kwaan, Incorporated
P.O. Box 416
Yakutat, AK 99689
Phone 907-784-3335
Fax 907-784-3622
E-mail sjensen_kwaan@yahoo.com
Village Council -
Yakutat Tlingit Tribe
P.O. Box 418
Yakutat, AK 99689
Phone 907-784-3238
Fax 907-784-3595
E-mail yttorg@ptialaska.net
Regional
Organizations
Borough - City & Borough of Yakutat
P.O. Box 160
Yakutat, AK 99689
Phone 907-784-3323
Fax 907-784-3281
E-mail yakclerk@yakutatak.us; yakclerk@starband.net
Web http://www.yakutatak.govoffice2.com
School District - Yakutat School District
P.O. Box 429
Yakutat, AK 99689-0429
Phone 907-784-3317
Fax 907-784-3446
E-mail roser@yakutatschools.org, hdiamond@yakutatschools.org
Web http://www.yakutatschools.org
Regional Native Corporation - Sealaska Corporation
One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 400
Juneau, AK 99801-1276
Phone 907-586-1512
Fax 907-586-2304
E-mail todd.antioquia@sealaska.com
Web http://www.sealaska.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
3245 Hospital Dr.
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-463-4000
Fax 907-463-4075
E-mail admin@searhc.org
Web http://www.searhc.org/
Regional Native Non-Profit - Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
320 W. Willoughby Ave., Suite 300
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-586-1432
Fax 907-586-8970
E-mail econdev@ccthita.org
Web http://www.ccthita.org
Regional Development - Southeast Conference
P.O. Box 21989
Juneau, AK 99802
Phone 907-523-2327
Fax 907-463-5670
E-mail shellyw@seconference.org
Web http://www.seconference.org
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