Council Bans Uranium Mining in all forms!!!!!!!
ENDAUM
The Dine Natural Resources Protection Act of 2005 was passed by the Navajo Nation Council yesturday, April 19, 2005. The legislation passed with a vote of 63-19. Below is a story that appeared in Farmington's Daily Times.
Link to Article
Navajo council outlaws uranium mining
By Ryan Hall/The Daily Times
Apr 20, 2005, 09:58 pm
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Uranium mining and processing will be outlawed on the Navajo reservation if President Joseph Shirley signs a bill passed Tuesday morning by the Navajo Nation Council.
The Dine´ Natural Resources Protection Act of 2005, which as amended prior to the vote bans uranium mining and processing anywhere in the Navajo Nation, passed by a vote of 63-19.
Shiprock delegates Richard Begaye and Wallace Charley voted no on the measure.
Shiprock delegate Pete Atcitty, Hogback delegate Ervin Keeswood Sr. and Upper Fruitland delegate Lorenzo Bates voted yes.
The vote came after a heated debate focused on several amendments. One change that would have deleted a 25-year moratorium on uranium processing was defeated, while another passed that deleted the moratorium but called for processing to be unconditionally banned. The approved amendment also struck language that would have allowed individuals wishing to mine or process uranium to seek approval from several committees of the Navajo Council.
The final language read: “No person shall engage in uranium mining and processing on any sites within Navajo Indian Country.”
“It’s very simple, uranium kills,” said delegate Mark Maryboy of Mexican Water/Aneth/Red Mesa during the debate.
Legislative counsel Raymond Atcitty and several delegates pointed out that while the legislation is needed, it will likely be challenged in court and could go as far as the U.S. Supreme Court.
“I’m afraid this may be challenged in court when we do pass this legislation,” said delegate Jerry Bodie of Sanostee.
Delegate Raymond Atcitty agreed, saying during the debate over amendments that “no matter what we do, Navajo Nation will probably be sued.”
Despite the threat of a lawsuit, members of Eastern Navajo Dine´ Against Uranium Mining (ENDAUM) and the grassroots organization Dine´ Bidzii celebrated outside council chambers following the passage of the resources protection act.
“This legislation just chopped the legs off the uranium monster,” said Norman Brown of Dine´ Bidzii.
“It was kind of sad to see (language) stricken, but the overall intent of the legislation remains,” added Lynnea Smith of ENDAUM, which has pursued a ban against uranium mining and processing for more than 10 years.
“The people have spoken and our leaders have listened to the people,” said delegate Alice Benally of Crownpoint, after hugging Smith. “Our people are still dying from this. This legislation was important to Navajo Nation, a very big step for Navajo people.”
Tuesday also saw two supplemental appropriation bills pass, including one that will pay Shiprock more than $70,000 to help boost the employment rate.
The Unreserved, Undesigned Fund Balance began the day at $7.2 million, far short of the required minimum of $59 million and it got smaller with the passage of the two supplemental funding bills.
One spending bill called for $32,567.71 for the Navajo Ethics and Rules Office, with amendments for $294,978 for an animal control program and $3 million for the Public Employment Program. Each chapter received a standard equal amount of the appropriation plus an amount based on number of registered voters living in the chapter. Shiprock will receive a total of $72,749.; Hogback will receive $27,543; and Upper Fruitland will receive $28,844.
The bill passed by a vote of 64-14 with Begaye, Charley, Pete Atcitty and Bates all voting for it and Keeswood against. The bill failed in the first round of voting when $146,000 for two tractors to revitalize 2,000 acres of land in Many Farms was attached as an amendment.
The first vote was 38 for and 32 against with 59 yay votes needed. Local delegates’ votes were the same except for Atcitty and Charley, who both voted no.
The other appropriations bill saw $354,709 approved for the Division of Public Safety to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus; $605,000 to be divided among the chapters at $5,000 per delegate per chapter as discretionary funds; $60,000 in discretionary funds for the speaker and also the same amount in discretionary funds for the president.
That measure passed by a vote of 72-9 with Atcitty, Begaye, Charley, Bates and Keeswood all voting for it.
A key vote that will have a large impact on the Nation was the defeat of a bill that would have extended a limited waiver of Sovereign Immunity. The waiver, which allows the Nation to be sued in federal court regarding compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act in carrying out Housing and Urban Development grants, passed in 2000, recently expired.
Despite being informed that no suit had been filed since the waiver was granted, 58 delegates voted to approve it and 14 to shoot down. The bill required 59 votes to pass.
Begaye, Charley and Keeswood voted for the bill and Atcitty and Bates voted no.
Ryan Hall
ENDAUM
Eastern Navajo Dine Against Uranium Mining
P.O. Box 150 Crownpoint, New Mexico 87313
Phone Number: (505) 786-5209
Fax Number: (505) 786-7275
ENDAUM
April Reports
Last updated on April 21, 2005