Resisters host press conference during inauguration

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Resisters of the Desert Rock Energy Project hosted a press conference Tuesday in the Basha's parking lot to encourage Navajo Nation leadership to stop the development of the Desert Rock plant.

The press conference was timed to coincide with inaugural festivities at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds where President Joe Shirley Jr., Vice President Ben Shelly, the Navajo Nation Council and others took oaths of office.

Members of Din CARE, Dooda Desert Rock and Navajo elders from Burnham Community, which is located near the proposed plant, journeyed to Window Rock to host the press conference.

"Navajo elders stand against the Desert Rock power plant based on the Fundamental Laws of the Din and encourage Navajo Nation leadership to stop the development of the Desert Rock plant," said Lori Goodman of Din CARE.

Navajo elders encouraged President Shirley, the Navajo Nation Council and Din Power Authority to uphold the Fundamental Laws in regard to the proposed joint venture by Sithe Global Power LLC and DPA.

Two existing plants in the vicinity have been called two of the worst point-sources of pollution in the United States by the EPA, spewing concentrations of a number of pollutants proven to be damaging to human health and the environment, according to Goodman.

"The health of neighboring residents has been compromised by their exposure to these toxins. It would be suicidal to subject them to more pollutants in their already overburdened community.

"Despite the talk of reduced power plant emissions, San Juan County simply cannot afford to bring emissions levels back up by implementing Desert Rock," she said.

The resisters contend that "building a third power plant in a national sacrifice zone is equivalent to sentencing death to whole communities. Desert Rock's approval will perpetuate further healthcare costs — adding insult to injury."

Goodman said Indian Health Service on Navajo is only 70 percent funded and there is a 25 percent vacancy rate of doctors and nurses.

In 2005, the Government Accountability Office reported the Indian Healthcare delivery system to be dismal and severely underfunded and lacking, she said.

Further, the 2004 U.S. Commission on Civil Rights documented the significant funding disparity for Indian health care.

"For our elders and future generations, we vow to fight this immoral and genocidal intrusion upon our people's health and way of life," Goodman said.

Dooda Desert Rock Committee President Elouise Brown said, "There are never any funds for adequate health care, but when it comes to building more power plants and digging another mine on our lands, there is never a shortage of funds."

Brown said that to adhere to the principles of the 1994 Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898, "a study is needed, which at the very least, would show how the present power plants are affecting people."

"Take care of already-done damage before funding another power plant," she said.