Navajo leaders urge transparency around spill

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez  Aug. 8 encourage the public at the Shiprock Chapter to remain safe and stay away from the San Juan River as contamination nears. Begaye said the Nation will pursue legal action. Photos/Rick Abasta

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez Aug. 8 encourage the public at the Shiprock Chapter to remain safe and stay away from the San Juan River as contamination nears. Begaye said the Nation will pursue legal action. Photos/Rick Abasta

SHIPROCK, N.M. - Speaker LoRenzo Bates (Nenahnezad, Newcomb, San Juan, Tiis Tsoh Sikaad, Tse'Daa'Kaan, Upper Fruitland), President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez Aug. 13 met with the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gina McCarthy, to discuss the contamination of the Animas River and San Juan River as a result of a dam break at the Gold King Mine in Silverton, Colorado on Aug. 5.

Speaking directly to McCarthy, Bates said the EPA has a responsibility to keep the Navajo public as well as the Navajo Nation Council informed about the ongoing testing of contaminated water and to ensure the information is transparent.

"I have an obligation as Speaker of the Council to keep my colleagues informed and we in turn are obligated to keep our constituents informed as well," Bates said.

In reference to the testing being conducted by the federal EPA, Bates said it is critical to disclose whether the federal EPA is adhering to federal standards or those of the Navajo Nation EPA.

Jared Blumenfeld, with EPA Region 9, said the federal EPA will follow both federal and Navajo Nation standards when testing and assessing results.

Bates also emphasized that Navajo elderly people may not fully understand the evolving situation and stressed the importance of continuing to update and educate those who depend on the contaminated waters for their livestock.

"My concern is for those who may not fully understand the risks and who may be continuing to use the water for their livestock," Bates said, adding that the EPA also needs to provide information about the long-term impacts to the public as well.

McCarthy assured the Nation's leadership that the federal EPA would not impose its standards over those of the Navajo Nation, but would ensure that all standards are met.

Additionally, McCarthy said the EPA will see the process through for the long-term and will work with the Navajo Nation cooperatively.

"We have an absolute responsibility to fulfill," McCarthy said. "We understand that there was an incident and the EPA takes full responsibility."

McCarthy also said the EPA is beginning an investigation to find out how and why the incident occurred and that they are also seeking an independent evaluation.

The EPA released initial test results gathered on Aug. 5 and 6, which are available on the Navajo Nation Council's website at navajonationcouncil.org.

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