Current Projects
Coal-Fired Power Plants
The proposed coal-fired Desert Rock power plant on the Navajo Nation
is far from reality. In June 2007, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) was released for public review and Draft EIS hearings were held
in July 2007 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to garner public input about
how, and if, the project should move forward. 99% of the Navajos who
spoke at the hearings widely opposed the project, citing numerous deficiencies
of the draft EIS which include lack of lease agreements, water analyses
and usage, existing disproportionate health impacts, and issues of environmental
justice. While the heart of the Draft EIS is to analyze reasonable alternatives
to Desert Rock, any worthwhile mention of wind and solar technology to
maximize economic benefit, employment opportunities, and minimize environmental
degradation was absent in the draft EIS. More details and links.
Nuclear Waste
"This is not just about compensation. It is the right thing to do, it is the human thing to do and it’s our responsibility to help out. Radiation contamination does not discriminate, it doesn't care. We are all affected and we need to work together for a healing, just resolution."
- Earl Tulley, Diné CARE Vice President and Board member of the national Indigenous Environmental Network.
The Navajo Radiation Victims Project is a major initiative of Diné CARE. Our work (which started as cooperation with the Uranium Radiation Victim’s Committee in Navajo lands) has led us into native and non-native communities in the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. 1998 was an important year for the efforts to bring compensation and relief to victims of radiation exposure on the Navajo Nation.
Uranium Year End Report 1998
Scott Perez article on Uranium on the Navajo Reservation.
Oil & Gas
The San Juan Basin which stretches over much of this part of New Mexico and into southwestern Colorado, including areas of the Navajo Nation and its fringes accounts for about 7 percent of the gas supply of the United States. More details.
Forestry
In 1981 members of the Navajo Nation's own department of forestry produced a series of reports that identified serious concerns in the forests of the Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau. These forests had been logged for over 100 years without any serious attempts to mitigate the damage, to replant, or regenerate. More details.
Coconino Aquifer
The fundamental law of the Navajo (Dine’) people believes water to be one of the four sacred elements that was put forth by Diyin dine’e’ (Deities) as a source of life. Water is part of prayer in the Hozho ceremonies for healing. All human and all life on Nahasdzaan (Mother Earth) have a degree of water in their system. Water is precious to native people – it is life.
In the southwest area of the Navajo Nation, a group of grassroots community members joined forces in 2005 to oppose Peabody Coal and Navajo Nation Government’s plan to drill for water on their land in Canyon Diablo. Read more here.
Project Articles
Year End Report, 2001
Energy Development Overview, Navajo Reservation, 1995
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