Hopi Tribal Council approves controversial carbon sequestration without community consultation

Hopiland: Public Forum on Carbon Sequestration and Snowbowl
The Hopi Tribal Council recently approved an experimental Carbon Capture Sequestration (CO2 Sequestration) project on Hopi lands without consultation with tribal members. This project will also impact Navajo lands. The U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service recentlyapproved the use of affluent water to make artificial snow at the Snow Bowl Ski Resort on the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, AZ. The COALition invites everyone to come learn about these issues and how our lands and environment may be affected by these projects. This is an opportunity for everyone to share their comments that we can take to our tribal councils.
Topics will include:
What is Carbon Capture Sequestration?
What is the project that Hopi Tribal Council approved?
If allowed to proceed, what are the potential impacts on our lands and our water?
What is the effect of artificial snow making on the San Francisco Peaks?
Discussions on Environmental Effects, Cultural Effects & Economic ImpactsWhat options are available to Hopi and Navajo Nations to address these issues?
Open Microphone – All Public Testimonials Welcome.
Everyone is Welcome!

AGENDA
Public Forum on Carbon Capture Sequestration & Snow Bowl
Sponsored by Inter-Tribal COALition
August 6, 2010 – 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Hotevilla Youth & Elderly Center
Hopi Indian Reservation
9:30 a.m. Registration
10:00 a.m. Purpose of Public Forum Ben Nuvamsa & Milton
 Introduction of Inter-Tribal COALition Bluehouse (COALition
 Goals for the Public Forum Members)
10:15 a.m. Carbon Sequestration: What is it? Ben Nuvamsa, Vernon
 Review of Hopi Tribal Council Action to Approve Masayesva, Tulley Haswood,
Carbon Sequestration Ed Becenti, Other Presenters
 What is the Proposal? How will it work?
 How does this affect Hopi and Navajo People?
 What are Environmental, Cultural and Economic Impacts?
 Explanation and Justification by Nada Talayumptewa
of the Hopi Water & Energy Team (invited)
 Reaction from Hopi & Dine’ Elders
(Presentations will be videotaped and recorded)
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. People’s Action Item and Mandates to Tribal Councils Forum Facilitator:
 Open Microphone for People’s Comments Various Presenters
(Presentations will be videotaped and recorded)
 Presentation of Tribal Council Action Item
and Draft Council Resolution
3:00 p.m. Artificial Snow Making at Snow Bowl: Forum Facilitator:
 What is the Snow Bowl Operators Plan? Howard Shanker, Esq (Invited)
 Status of Litigation Various Presenters
 What options are available to tribes?
 Explanation and Justification by Nada Talayumptewa
of the Hopi Water & Energy Team (Invited) for
signing the letter to Secretary, Department of
Agriculture supporting use of groundwater for
artificial snow making
 Open Microphone for People’s Comments
(Presentations will be videotaped and recorded)
 Presentation of Tribal Council Action Item
4:30 p.m. Adjourn

Navajo Hopi Observer: Hopi Council approves carbon capture storage project
Rosanda Suetopka Thayer/The Observer
Excerpt:
KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz. - In a surprise move, the Hopi Tribal Council approved a controversial project with an 8 to 4 vote, giving four western energy companies (WEC Consortium) and the Hopi Tribe the go-ahead to evaluate geologic characteristics of the Black Mesa Basin for potential commercial storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a new method known as carbon capture sequestration (CCS).
The proposed project seeks to drill a series of exploration wells on Hopi land for the purpose of collecting and analyzing detailed geological, geophysical and water quality data. Wells will be drilled to a depth of approximately 9,000 feet to determine if the rock strata is hospitable enough to store toxic CO2 extracted from coal plant emissions underground on Hopi and near Navajo reservation communities.
Read article:
http://www.navajohopiobserver.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=12711