Big Canyon Again Cuz We Will All That Be Back Then
Jack Dykinga
by Roger Clark, Thousand Canyon Managing director
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently rejected objections past the Navajo Nation and granted dam developers permits to program two massive hydroelectric projects on Navajo state near the confluence of the Colorado and Trivial Colorado rivers in the Grand Canyon. The permits give the programmer three years to comport feasibility studies and a right to exist first in line to license the projects.
At present, FERC is considering a 3rd application from the same dam developers. August three, 2022 is the deadline for submitting comments on the pumped hydroelectric project application for Big Canyon — a side coulee to the Footling Colorado River Gorge — where Navajo families still herd sheep and practice traditions that have sustained them for generations.
TAKE Activity. Oppose plans to dam Big Coulee nigh the Little Colorado River ›
What'southward wrong with the Large Canyon pumped hydro project?
The Large Coulee Pumped Storage Project would build iv dams and create four reservoirs in and in a higher place the Little Colorado River tributary. To make full its reservoirs, wells drilled into the bedrock of Large Canyon would suck 17-19 billion gallons of groundwater a year — an amount of water that could fill up over 28,000 Olympic pond pools.
The Navajo Nation opposed the developer's two before projects, citing potential adverse impacts on its water rights, wildlife resources, and cultural resources. But commencement and foremost, information technology said the developers had not "engaged in meaningful consultation with the Navajo Nation or its subdivisions, including the local Chapters where the Project would be located," nor had they sought "the consent of the Navajo Nation or procure the required clearances and permits for construction of the Project."
With the public comment menstruation still open up on the Large Coulee proposal, FERC must experience the full forcefulness of opposition to the blatant disrespect shown to the people and the state.
Local grazing district opposes Big Canyon dams
Every bit information technology did in response to the first two applications final autumn, the District Iii Grazing Committee of the Navajo Nation passed a resolution to deny the dam developer's Large Canyon permit asking. The grazing district includes locally governed chapters of the Navajo Nation located north of the Little Colorado River. Information technology represents families that agree federally issued permits to graze livestock in and around Large Canyon, where the four dams would be built.
Under Navajo law, grazing permittees must grant unanimous consent for state to exist used for anything other than traditional purposes. The grazing commission is vested with potency to review all matters that affect local communities.
Commune III'south reasons for denying the awarding include the developer's failure to notify the grazing committee and because the pumped storage project would harm biological and cultural values recognized by the Navajo Nation's Division of Natural Resource. These protective designations prohibit industrial development in areas where traditional cultural practices occur and where biological diversity and endangered species exist.
More comments are forthcoming
The Navajo grazing district submitted its official comments to FERC on June 8. However, comments past other agencies have been delayed by local, state, and tribal governments' emergency responses to Covid-xix. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is over again taking the pb in preparing comments with other federal agencies, but their response has besides been slower than last fall's response to the previous dam applications. Similarly, the Hopi, Hualapai, and other area tribes have notwithstanding to submit their comments in opposition to the Big Coulee pumped storage allow awarding.
Delight send FERC your thoughts!
Support local opposition by request FERC to deny the developer'south permit. The bureau should not grant a individual company the right to plan and employ for a federal license on Navajo land without outset having asked and obtained the nation's permission.
Demand more background to craft your annotate? Learn more than nearly the environmental and cultural impacts of the Large Canyon Pumped Storage Project ›
With fourth dimension running out on FERC's deadline, please join the massive outpouring of support for those whose voices and ties to the state are once over again beingness ignored.
Delight oppose plans to dam Big Canyon. Comment by August 3, 2020.
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Source: https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/blog/its-time-oppose-big-canyon-dams
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