An Article on Senate Bill 1003, the Relocation Legislation, Bahe Y. Katenay of Big Mountain
U.S. Senate Bill S.1003 may become an amendment to the 1974 Federal Law, so-called,
“Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act.” This new bill calls for relocation of all Dineh
residents of, mostly, the Big Mountain and Black Mesa areas by September 2008. It
also calls for: the federal commission responsible for pre/post-relocation to close
its program, and the BIA of the U.S. Department of the Interior to start
management-control of all tribal royalities earned from the Black Mesa coal mines. Read more
Navajo-Hopi Land Dispute Legislation Passes the Senate
Navajo Nation Opposes the Bill
For immediate release: Contact: Roman Bitsuie, Executive Director,
Navajo Hopi Land Commission Office
928-871-6441
Window Rock, AZ, Navajo Nation///May 3, 2006/// On May 2, 2006, the Senate passed the Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Amendments of 2005 (S. 1003), legislation sponsored by Senator John McCain that would bring about the closure of the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR) by September 30, 2008. Navajo Nation officials testified regarding the original version of this legislation at a hearing before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on July 21, 2005, expressing grave concern over the abrupt termination of ONHIR, the failure of the legislation to address the negative consequences of the relocation law by not providing for a study linked directly to a program of rehabilitation, and the failure of the legislation to address the effects of the construction freeze in the Bennett Freeze area. S. 1003 will now be referred to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more
UPDATE — Senate Bill 1003
Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Amendments of 2005
STATUS
The last major movement on the Bill was on December 12th of last year (2005). This
step was to place it on the Senate Calendar under “General Orders. Calendar No.
324.” What this means is that the Senate can pass the Bill and refer it to the
House of Representatives. In order for the bill to become law, the Senate and the
House will have to pass it sometime between now and the final adjournment (closing)
of the 109th Congress which is scheduled to close on or around October 6th of this
year. If the Congress does not pass it by October, then Senate Bill 1003 is dead. Read more
Mohave won’t be online for about 4 years, Edison says
By Kathy Helms-Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — Mohave Generating Station will not resume operating for
approximately four years and a Black Mesa Mine standstill agreement
set to expire March 31, 2006, has not been renewed, Southern
California Edison announced Wednesday.
In its monthly status report on Mohave to California Public Utilities
Commission, SCE said, “because of the many uncertainties that remain
unresolved, SCE has reluctantly concluded that further aggressive
pursuit of interim operations at this time is not warranted.” Read more
Leaders mum on coal, water proposal
By Marley Shebala, Navajo Times 03.30.06
WINDOW ROCK – President Joe Shirley Jr. has refused to comment on a proposed
settlement of the tribe’s 1999 lawsuit against Peabody Western Coal Co. and
Southern California Edison for allegedly bamboozling Navajos out of about
$600 million in coal royalties.
On Tuesday the Navajo Times asked to interview Shirley about the proposal
which surfaced late last week. “That’s not going to happen,” responded George
Hardeen, Shirley’s spokesman. Read more
Edison Moves to Reopen Big Desert Power Plant
The utility was forced to shut down the Mohave generating station in
Nevada because of pollution issues.
By Marc Lifsher, Times Staff Writer
March 28, 2006
Southern California Edison Co. and two Indian tribes have taken a
tentative step toward reopening the giant Mohave power plant in Nevada
that was shut down due to pollution.
Before being taken off line in January, the coal-fired plant was a
major source of electricity for Southern California. Read more
Time for a Just Transition to a better future on the Rez
By the Just Transition Coalition
For years, the Navajo and Hopi people made major sacrifices to enable the
Mojave Generating Station to operate. The people provided labor, coal, pristine
N-Aquifer water and bore the burden of pollution. Now that the facility has
closed, we have a right to ask the owners of Mojave to help us make the
transition to a better future, to repay the debt. Read more
Off the hook
Proposed settlement releases Peabody from penalty for damages to resources
By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — A proposed settlement agreement to keep Peabody Western Coal
Co. operating on Black Mesa and return Mohave Generating Station to service
would give the feds control over the C-Aquifer project and dismiss all claims
against Peabody for injury to groundwater in the lease area.
A March 7 confidential draft document of recommended noneconomic terms
proposed in the Mohave mediation between the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Peabody,
and the owners of Mohave Generating Station and Navajo Generating Station
assumes the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will operate the C-Aquifer Project,
subject to reimbursement of Mohave owners. Read more
