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Under former oil lobbyist Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, the Bureau of Land Management is pushing ahead with a land use plan that could increase drilling around New Mexico's Chaco Culture National Historical Park—home of ancient civilizations and a sacred landscape to southwestern tribes. Now, agency officials are moving forward with work on the plan, despite not being able to meaningfully consult nearby tribes, which is legally required.
The agency initially delayed the land planning process in May, as the pandemic made public engagement difficult, particularly on the nearby Navajo Nation, where internet and phone access is scarce. "The Navajo Nation persistently falls on the wrong side of the digital divide,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. “Indeed, it would be more accurate to say the Navajo Nation is at the bottom of a digital chasm." Making matters worse, the Nation has experienced severe outbreaks of coronavirus, at times tallying some of the highest per capita rates in the world.
Yesterday, as the BLM continued a series of virtual meetings, the Navajo Nation formally asked the agency to suspend the land use planning process, citing the ongoing pandemic and lack of internet access. "The use of virtual meetings does not constitute meaningful consultation," said Navajo Nation Council Delegate Daniel Tso. "In the three months since that April letter, the Eastern Navajo have not realized a transformative telecommunication renaissance."
Four U.S. Senators and Representatives from New Mexico also issued a call yesterday to delay the planning process. While local officials acknowledge the difficulty in conducting meaningful consultation, the decision may be out of their hands. Bart Stevens, Regional Director of the Navajo Regional Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs told meeting attendees that the timeline is being set by the Interior Department. "We’re just accommodating those timelines," said Stevens.
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Our traditional land is being contaminated and the R-Aquifer, which feeds Havasu Creek and provides life to our people in the canyon, is at risk. Why take that risk. Once the R-Aquifer is contaminated, Havasu Creek is contaminated and our life in the [Grand Canyon] will then be contaminated.”
