NAVAJO COUNCIL RIPPING THRU PROPOSED LEGISLATION WITH VERY LITTLE DEBATE. WHEN COUNCIL CONVENED TODAY, THERE WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE COUNCIL PLANNED TO FINISH ALL THEIR AGENDA ITEMS BY WEDNESDAY.

SPEAKER NAIZE ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WAS A CAUCUS THIS MORNING BUT THE COUNCIL HAD PASSED LAW THAT REMOVED CAUCUSES WHICH DELEGATE JONATHAN NEZ POINTED OUT.

DELEGATE WALTER PHELPS
the national enviromental protectin act was passed basically to require federal agencies to address these ares of compliance among federal agencies. the law is for federal agencies. however cuz tribal lands fall under Departmento f INterior and they are trustees for tribal lands, because of that we live on trust land.

trust land status and the BIA who is actualy resposible for compliance with the law has deferred those activities to the tribe. Delegate Russell Begaye presented legislation that I support in reducing red tape. That concern that that burden becomes huge burden to tribes and Congressional politicians understand that and Alaskan Congressman Young has proposed legislation to streamline environmental process. Delegate Begaye’s legislation has the same intent as Young’s Hearth Act which was unsuccessfully. But this initiative is supportive of Congressman Don Young’s efforts.

DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
FEDRAL environmental laws are less stringent that Navajo enviromental laws.