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Atka
(AT-ka)
For Photos of Atka click here
For a Map of Atka click here
| Current Population: |
73
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: 2% Raw Fish Tax; 10% Bed Tax
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| Coastal Management District: |
Aleutians West CRSA |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Atka is located on Atka Island, 1,200 air miles southwest from Anchorage and 350 miles west of Unalaska. The community
lies at approximately 52.196110° North Latitude
and -174.200560° West Longitude.
(Sec. 22, T092S, R176W, Seward Meridian.)
Atka is located in the
Aleutian Islands Recording District.
The area encompasses 8.7
sq. miles of land and 27.4 sq. miles
of water.
Atka lies in the maritime climate zone. Temperatures range from 20 to 60 °F. Precipitation averages 60 inches per year, and snowfall averages 61 inches per year. There are frequent winds and severe storms in the winter and calm, foggy weather in summer. |
Topographic
map of
Atka
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The island has been occupied by Unangas for at least 2,000 years. Unangas speak the western dialect, known since the Russian era as "Aleut". Recent archaeological evidence indicates that the present village site may have had human use since prehistoric times. The first contact with Russians occurred in 1747, and Atka became an important trade site and safe harbor for Russians. In 1787 a number of hunters were enslaved and relocated to the Pribilofs to work in the fur seal harvest. The townsite was settled in the 1860s. After the end of the sea otter hunting era in the late 1800s, Atka had no viable cash economy. Reindeer were introduced to the island in 1914. During the 1920s, Atka became relatively affluent due to fox farming. After the Japanese attacked Unalaska and seized Attu and Kiska in June 1942, the U.S. Government evacuated Atka residents to the Ketchikan area. Atka was burned to the ground to prevent Japanese forces from using it and advancing. The community was rebuilt by the U.S. Navy after the war, and residents were allowed to return. Many Attu villagers, released from imprisonment in Japan in 1945, relocated to Atka. This exposure to the outside world brought many changes in the traditional culture and attitudes in the community. The city was incorporated in 1988.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Atka.
The population of the community consists of 91.3%
Alaska Native or part Native.
A traditional Unangas settlement, exposure to the outside world has brought changes to the traditional lifestyle; however, the Aleut language is still spoken in one-fourth of homes. The St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church is a central part of village life. Sea lions and other sea mammals are an important part of the subsistence lifestyle, and meat is shared village-wide on an informal basis.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 41, and vacant housing units numbered 9.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 4.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 56 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
29.11 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $30,938, per capita income was $17,079, and
7.53 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The community system was constructed in 1978 and was expanded in 1982 to a new housing area. Water is supplied by a stream and wooden reservoir dam northwest of the city. It is stored in two 30,000-gallon water tanks before distribution. All 50 homes are connected to the piped water and sewer system and are plumbed. Sewage is piped to a central septic system. Wastewater flows untreated through outfall lines into Nazan Bay. Garbage is collected twice a week.
Electricity is provided by City of Atka.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 14
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Atka Village Clinic (907-839-2232).
Atka Village Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility.Atka is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2H in the Aleutian/Pribilof Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Atka VFD/EMS (907-839-2214).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The economy is based on subsistence living and wages earned from the halibut fishery. A small local fish processing plant, Atka Pride Seafoods, operates seasonally to serve the local fleet. They currently process halibut and black cod. Four residents hold commercial fishing permits. A number of offshore fish processors carry out crew changes through Atka. Year-round income opportunities in the village are limited to education- and government-related work. A reindeer herd of over 2,500 head provides a source of meat.
Atka has a state-owned, city-maintained 4,500' by 100' asphalt, lighted runway. Scheduled air services are available three times weekly from Unalaska. Planes can be chartered from Cold Bay or Unalaska. Coastal Transportation provides freight service from April to October. The city dock and port facility is located 5 miles from town in Nazan Bay. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Atka
P.O. Box 47070
Atka, AK 99547
Phone 907-839-2233; Administrator 907-522-0384
Fax 907-839-2234; 907-522-0385
E-mail Mayor: free2atka@yahoo.com
Electric Utility -
City of Atka Electric
P.O. Box 110772
Anchorage, AK 99511
Phone 907-522-0384
Fax 907-522-0385
E-mail goldcreekwater@yahoo.com
Village Corporation -
Atxam Corporation
P.O. Box 47001
Atka, AK 99547
Phone 907-839-2237
Fax 907-839-2234
Village Council -
Native Village of Atka
P.O. Box 47030
Atka, AK 99547
Phone 907-839-2229
Fax 907-839-2269
E-mail rosannamae@gci.net
Regional
Organizations
Native Housing Authority - Aleutian Housing Authority
520 E. 32nd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-563-2146
Fax 907-563-3105
E-mail dand@aleutian-housing.com
Web http://www.aleutian-housing.com/
CDQ Group - Aleutian/Pribilof Island Comm. Dev. Assoc.
234 Gold Street
Juneau, AK 99801-1211
Phone 907-586-0161
Fax 907-586-0165
E-mail LCotter371@aol.com
Web http://www.apicda.com
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