Shiprock Chapter Prez Duane “Chili” Yazzie is translating Dine CARE resolution in Navajo language. The resolution asks the Shiprock community to Support Dine CARE’s opposition of the Navajo Government/Council’s purchase of BHP coal mine.
Dine CARE director Lori Goodman is here and she will be given ten minutes to explain why the Shiprock should support Dine CARE. BHP official Pat Reiser is here and he’ll present reasons for why the community should vote down Dine CARE’s resolution.
In my earlier post, I posted a line to the Dine CARE’s resolution but I decided to post the resolution:
SUPPORTING THE DINÉ CITIZENSHIP AGAINST RUINING OUR ENVIRONMENT’S (DINE CARE) REQUEST FOR THE NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL TO REJECT THE PURCHASE OF BHP BILLITON NAVAJO MINE AND TO BEGIN TRANSITION TOWARD RENEWABLE ENERGY ON THE NAVAJO NATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS
WHEREAS:
1. The Shiprock Chapter of the Navajo Nation acts on this resolution pursuant to the authority conferred on the chapter through Navajo Nation Code Title 26, Chapter 1, Section 1, B. Purpose which states “Through adoption of this Act, the Navajo Nation Council delegates to Chapter governmental authority with respect to local matters consistent with Navajo law, including custom and tradition”, and
2. The Navajo Nation Energy Policy states that, “The energy resources of the Nation are owned by the Nation and are to be administered and managed by the Navajo Mine for the benefit all Navajo people”; and,
3. Therefore, the Council should consider how the purchase of the Navajo Mine may or may not benefit all Navajo people; and,
4. The Navajo Nation Energy Policy, Section 402 states, “Long-Term Sustainability of Energy Developments. Energy developments on the Nation will be designated to be sustainable over long-term based on economic considerations and environmental and community impacts”; and,
5. BHP Billiton President, Pat Risner noted in The Daily Times that due to the shutdown of three of five units at the Four Corners Power Plant, demand for coal will decrease by 30 percent and will cut 100 employees before Navajo Nation agrees to purchase the mine, so the Council should consider these economic considerations and environmental and community impacts”; and,
6. The Diné Natural Law states that, “It is the duty and responsibility of the Din to protect and preserve the beauty of the natural world for future generation”; and,
7. Due to the coal combustion waste that has been stored in unlined disposal pits at the Navajo Mine between 1971-2008, this coal ash may leach into waterways, air, and land; and,
8. Therefore, the Navajo Nation Council should consider who is legally responsible for cleaning up the coal ash before the Council and Government make a decision on the purchase of the mine; and,
9. There are 17 known toxic pollutants found in coal ash including mercury, arsenic, cadmium, boron, selenium, and other toxic metals that affect all body organs; and,
10. Therefore, the Navajo Nation Council should consider these health risks associated with coal ash before making a final agreement with BHP Billiton to purchase the mine; and,
11. The Navajo Nation Council should consider clean energy sources that are in line with the Diné Natural Law of protecting and preserving the environment for the future generations.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The constituents of the Shiprock Chapter hereby support the Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment’s (Diné CARE) request for the Navajo Nation Council to reject the purchase of the BHP Billiton’s Navajo Mine.
