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Navajo Nation: Sustainable Development

Navajo Nation: Sustainable Development. Tom Yersak Summer 2008. Window Rock, AZ. Navajo Hopi Land Commission Office.

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Navajo Nation: Sustainable Development

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  1. Navajo Nation:Sustainable Development Tom Yersak Summer 2008

  2. Window Rock, AZ

  3. Navajo Hopi Land Commission Office -Executive Director: Roman Bitsuie ’78 -Established by the Navajo Government in 1980’s to address development issues of the Bennett Freeze Area-Bennett Freeze: A mandated freeze of all construction on disputed land between the Hopi and Navajo. 30+ years-NHLCO charged with acquiring 30,000 acres of new tribal land for the benefit of relocates.-Mr. Bitsuie has interpreted the NHLCO’s authority to include the development these lands for the benefit of those affected by the Bennett Freeze.

  4. Bitsi-Paragon Ranch - Located South of Chaco Canyon, NM - I attempted to conduct preliminary research on water rights, ROW’s, archeological impacts etc. using an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for a formerly proposed coal plant on this site.- Several companies have submitted preliminary proposals

  5. Other Activities • Prof. Soboyejo’s solar lantern Real use or educational tool?- Conducted research for NHLC lawyer regarding broken solar cistern-septic systems- Reader for Rehabilitation Trust Fund proposals- Gave educational renewable energy talks at a NHLC meeting and a summer youth group meeting- Explored issues regarding siting 4 donated solar dishes at Diné College

  6. Bureaucratic Dysfunction What entity should oversee sustainable energy development projects on the Reservation? - Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA)? - DinéPower Authority (DPA)? - Navajo-Hopi Land Commission Office (NHLCO)? - Local Communities?No established framework for energy development. The economic development system is also very complex and difficult to navigate.McCain: “The system is broken” . . . even he can understand that this is an economic disaster. . .

  7. Examples Desert Rock and Sithe Global DPA (a tribal company) bypassed the tribal government and leased land to a coal plant developer for only $100,000 a year, giving up millions in royalties.NHLCO - Preoccupied with a 2 year long audit - Already attempted energy development before and failed. How much is talk? Does this office really have the authority?NTUA and Arizona Power (APS): - Battle of jurisdiction. Boundaries are vague and can vary street to street. - NTUA has not attempted to implement net-metering on the reservation’s grid.

  8. My Reflection

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