Here at Resources and Development Committee where Navajo Agriculture Department Director Leo Watchman reporting on draft Range Land Management Act.

(PLEZ EXCUSE TYPOS AND MIS-SPELLINGS)

RDC COMMITTEE MEMBER LEONARD TSOSIE
You, Mr. Watchman, should not be afraid to educate Navajo people that a grazing permit does not give them ownership of land. Even chapter boundaries were never officially adopted.

WATCHMAN
going back 50 years, I dk how to explain to Navajo people especially the elders and medicine people about grazing permits not giving ownership of land. And it is difficult.
I believe grazing officials doing what they can and they need resources. Grazing officials are doing what we are asking. we are looking at elevating grazing official responsiblity, adequate compensation, resources. We work with grazing officials and I don’t want people thinking we are not working with them and they are not working with us. People are also asking for services. The RDC responsiblity to what Bureau of Indian Affairs recognizes is that department of agriculture wants to take over grazing permits cuz federal law doesn’t Dine” Fundamental Law into account.
We know draft Range Land Management Act controversial. Federal comment is 90 days and we have done more than 90 days. Initial deadline was September 2012 for initial draft Grazing Act. At that time, only received one comment.
And where is criticism coming from? It’s coming from across the reservation. But there are too many disputes over grazing going into court.

3 in favor, 0 opposed on accepting report at 12:59 pm

RDC CHAIRPERSON KATHERINE BENALLY
Hope Grazing Officials not mis-inform pple. Most of comments came from grazing officials but not they are standing by their comments.

RDC ON LUNCH BREAK, RETURN 2 PM