SAN FRANCISCO—Last week, a group of about 30 members of the Navajo tribe crossed over to California from Arizona to protest against a federal decision that will keep environmental laws from being enforced for about 30 more years regarding a coal mine obstructing the health of their community and the environment.
In 2013, the coal mine was permitted to continue to operate with conventional methods and regulations. The coal mine was allowed to operate adhering to a slow and gradual process improving its environmental impact, but free from strict rules that other coal mines face at a much quicker pace. The protesters included youths and young adults.
“The whole point for me being here is to show my face and show that us young people care about our land and about everything we had — or have,” stated Sebale Tsosie to the Associated Press.
Several dozen Navajo travelled almost 1000 miles to San Francisco to voice their opinions in front of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, noting they developed asthma from environmental toxins.
The group came from their reservation near Page, Arizona where the Navajo Generating Station is located. The Navajo Generating Station is one of the largest contributors to the emission of carbon dioxide in the country. The plant’s highest point is 775 feet tall, with furnaces that are heated to 2,000 degrees for the conversion of heat to electricity. It is a major source of economy within the tribe, and provides safe passage for water to travel through canals within Arizona.
In the document from July 2013 regarding the lengthening of time allotted before environmental action is expected to take place stated that, “The Navajo Nation and the NGS Participants have negotiated a Lease Amendment such that the Lease would be extended through December 22, 2044.”
