Letter to the editor: Kayenta mine will be reclaimed in accordance with law
To the editor:
I am writing nhonews.com and the Navajo-Hopi Observer to reply to the guest column of Vernon Masayesva of the Black Mesa Water Coalition.
In his guest editorial, Mr. Masayesva expresses concern that Peabody Coal's recent bankruptcy and the use of self-bonds will allow the company to leave behind its mining operations on tribal land without properly reclaiming them.
For the record, Peabody's Kayenta mine on the Hopi and Navajo reservations are fully bonded with more than $245 million in surety bonds. The U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), which regulates coal mining on these lands, has not allowed Peabody to use self-bonding on the reservations.
The Interior Department and OSMRE stand fully committed to ensuring that when mining is complete, all lands, including Navajo and Hopi tribal lands, are reclaimed, in accordance with the law.
Christopher Homes, public affairs specialist
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Washington, D.C.
- Navajo CARES Act funding to continue through 2021
- Hardship Assistance payments set to begin Jan. 18
- 25% of Navajo applicants at risk of not receiving Cares Act funds
- Checkpoints erected on Hopi reservation, lockdown to continue through Feb. 1
- With looming deadline, Nation works to fix Hardship Assistance Program application errors
- Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp. hosting COVID-19 vaccine drive-thru Jan. 15
- A new generation of officers graduate the Navajo Police Training Academy
- Trump administration releases vision for Native Americans
- Why ‘Come and Get Your Love’ now? After 46 years ‘the time has come’
- Navajo Police to host recruitment drive Jan. 11
- 25% of Navajo applicants at risk of not receiving Cares Act funds
- With looming deadline, Nation works to fix Hardship Assistance Program application errors
- Navajo CARES Act funding to continue through 2021
- Hardship Assistance payments set to begin Jan. 18
- More than 290,000 Navajo Nation members apply for Hardship Assistance Program
- I-40 resort project near Navajo Nation stirs culture controversy
- Rare 'Christmas star' will appear when Jupiter and Saturn align Dec. 21
- Coconino County outlines COVID vaccination plan
- Guest column: Welcoming the Winter Solstice
- Why ‘Come and Get Your Love’ now? After 46 years ‘the time has come’
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
Click Below to: