News from the Intergovernmental Relations Committee

IGR approves two grants, Apache County lease extension, Navajo Regional Water Distribution Project

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - The Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the Navajo Nation Council met March 15 during a regular scheduled meeting and passed several pieces of legislation to accept a $48,112 grant from the New Mexico State Department of Health (NMSDH), accept a $242,391 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and extend a 25 year lease on six acres of land in the Chinle Chapter for Apache County.

One of the bills passing the committee was Legislation No. 0113-10, sponsored by Council Delegate Leslie Dele (Tonalea), which approved a $48,112 grant agreement between the NMSDH and the Navajo Division of Health Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Program for the coordination efforts on the delivery of the 2009 Novel H1N1 vaccine and other related response activities during the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza season for citizens of the Navajo Nation in Cibola, McKinley, Sandoval and San Juan Counties, N.M.

Another bill (Legislation No. 0108-10), sponsored by Council Delegate Johnny Naize (Tselani/Cottonwood/Nazlini) was passed by the committee and accepted a $242,391 grant from the DOE to provide weatherization assistance to eligible low-income Navajo individuals for the period of April 1 to March 31, 2011.

In other Committee action, Legislation No. 0120-10, sponsored by Council Delegate Harry H. Clark (Chinle), also passed. This bill approved a 25 year lease between the Navajo Nation and Apache County to continue Apache County District One within the boundaries of the Chinle Chapter.

Council Delegate Francis Redhouse (Teec Nos Pos) reminded Apache County officials of the need to help secure monies and support citizens of the northern portion of the Apache County or Navajo Nation land in Apache County.

"I would like to see the Apache County take off its armor and be able to defend and help residents of Apache County to make sure some of its funds come to the northern end of the county," Redhouse said.

Council Delegate George Arthur (T'iistoh Bikaad/San Juan/Nenanezad) echoed similar words and said, "In turn, its being requested that there be more support from programs within Apache County for the Navajo Nation as far as funding opportunities is concerned."

The Committee also passed Legislation No. 0114-10, accepting a $5.3 million grant agreement from the New Mexico Environment Department for the Navajo Nation Regional Water Distribution Project.

The Navajo Nation Regional Water Distribution Project or the Cutter Lateral Regional System is a pipeline from the San Juan River water rights settlement that will help bring water sources to several communities on the eastern part of the Navajo Nation and into communities in Cibola, McKinley, Rio Arriba and Sandoval Counties of New Mexico near the Navajo Nation where water is minimal.

According to Michael Benson, programs and projects specialist for the Navajo Division of Resources' Water Management Branch, the grant will help build the first step of the pipeline project by providing ground water sources and eventually water from the San Juan River to those communities.

"Even before the San Juan River water is put into the water pipeline, we are going to move ground water from Huerfano and Nageezi to Whitehorse Lake."

"New Mexico has given us money to build the smaller of the pipelines," Benson added. "Eventually, San Juan River water will go into this system. There is good groundwater from the north that will go to the south."

Legislation No. 0114-10, sponsored by Council Delegate GloJean Todacheene (Shiprock), passed the committee with a 7-0 vote.