Coyote Smoke: Sithe/Desert Rock twisting hearings

Sarah J. White, Diné CARE (505) 860-9877
Lori Goodman, Diné CARE (970) 759-1908
Anna Frazier, Diné CARE (928) 380-7697

Sithe/DPA changes Desert Rock DEIS hearings, misleads the Public

Sithe/DPA, in collusion with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), are intentionally misinforming the public on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) hearings after they widely publicized the June 18th-22nd DEIS hearings for a full month. Their announcements appeared in all local newspapers, Sithe Global’s website, and local radio stations. A little after midnight on June 15th, new dates about DEIS hearings were placed only on Sithe Global’s website without the knowledge of the general public. There is still no effort made on their behalf to correct the announcement of the June 18th-22nd Public Hearings. It is obvious Sithe/DPA is maneuvering to limit public participation.

It is unconscionable to give the public a one day notice of date changes and this looks suspiciously as if done by design to mislead us. There were ample opportunities to do the right thing and inform the public - if that was an objective for Sithe/DPA. A retraction could have easily been printed in the weekly Navajo Times, which is the primary News source for many Navajos, but there was no effort made to publicize these changes in the local papers. Navajo citizens and communities must be informed of Desert Rock hearings since this energy monster will threaten the health and livelihoods of all who live downwind and who will breathe in its toxic chemicals.

This deliberate deceptive move continues the pattern of misinformation and the disenfranchisement of the Navajo people in the decision-making processes that affect their welfare. The BIA should know that a majority of the people on the reservation have no access to communication infrastructure. The discs, which contain the DEIS documents and are being distributed by the BIA, are inaccessible without computers. The Public should receive hardcopies of the voluminous draft to review properly and be given the chance to speak publicly about the inevitable environmental degradation from the proposed Desert Rock.

Burnham resident Lucy A. Willie wondered where she would have to go to view the DEIS CD she received. Ms. Willie had sent a postcard and specifically asked for a hardcopy because she doesn’t have a computer stated, “I don’t even have a computer, let alone know how to operate one.”

Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment (Diné CARE) will hold a Press Conference at 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona to express discontent at BIA’s continued deception by misleading the public.

Four Corners community people and Navajo public are strongly encouraged to contact their local media, council officials and Joe Shirley to demand fair and equal participation.

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Lori GoodmanDine' CARE10 A Town Plaza, PMB 138Durango, CO 81301PH: (970) 259-0199FAX: (970) 259-2300Cell: (970) 759-1908kiyaani@frontier.nethttp://www.desert-rock-blog.com