Navajos' Dooda files EPA discrimination complaint

DOODA DESERT ROCK FILES A DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR FAILURE TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF SHIPROCK NAVAJOS
February 24, 2009
By Elouise Brown
thebrownmachine@hotmail.com

Dooda Desert Rock completed its testimony to the Environmental Protection Agency on whether carbon dioxide emissions from the Desert Rock Power Plant should be considered and capped on
Saturday, February 21, 2009. Research for the testimony showed that the Environmental Protection Agency was aware of a study that showed that Shiprock residents seek medical attention for respiratory problems in the general area of the present Four Comers Power Plant and San Juan Generating Station at five times the rate of other people in the area. The study an EPA official used says that people in Shiprock under age 5 and over age 56 are twice more likely to need care for respiratory issues. Research also showed that "The Hogback" geological formation pulls down emissions plumes from the Four Comers plant so that it is in the air breathed by Shiprock Navajos.

Given the fact that the EPA failed to do anything about its knowledge of discrimination against Navajos by failure to regulate current emissions and in granting a permit for the Desert Rock plant, Dooda Desert Rock identified 18 Navajos who complain of breathing problems to make a civil rights complaint. Others will be identified for a civil rights investigation.

The complaint is for discrimination in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights of 1964 (that prohibits discrimination by federal agencies); age discrimination; and violation of a presidential executive order that requires consideration of environmental justice issues.

Dooda Desert Rock has informed the chair of the Navajo Nation Civil Rights Commission of the
situation, and DDR will inform the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of the situation because its findings on abusive development in Indian Country.

The discrimination complaint to the Office of Civil Rights of the United States Environmental Protection Agency will be mailed on February 24,2009.