INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK ALERT! Please send far and wide!!!!
Sithe Global & DPA are proposing to build the Desert Rock power plant,
a 1,500 MW Coal Fired plant in the Four Corners area on the Navajo
Reservation. This is an area already polluted by 2 other major coal
power plants. Local Navajo residence and community members oppose this
project for many harmful reasons!! This Desert Rock power plant is
still in the environmental review process and has NOT yet been
permitted.
However, Desert Rock company trucks have began moving onto the
backyard of Alice Gilmore, an elderly navajo woman, and her family on
wednesday to begin drilling efforts. Desert Rock officials and police
have not shown any documents or permits to the local residents stating
their purpose or permission to be there. Dine supporters and community
members have joined Alice and her family to blockade the road. They
are elderly women and youth, and they have been camped out on the road
over night since Tuesday! Desert Rock trucks have repeatedly rushed
them and have almost run-over people a number of times as they attempt
to get by. Desert Rock power company is violating the lease rights of
the local Navajo residences and is harassing elderly Navajo women and
youth! This is an urgent time and support is needed!!!
Please read on to find out how you can help! and Please pass this onto
others! (press release and additional article)
Lucy A. Willi stands at the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant
site outside of Burnham on Wednesday where she and
several friends and family stayed overnight to stop a contractor for
Desert Rock Energy Company from doing preliminary work.
What they need:
- More People Support
- Fire wood
- $$
- Attention!
How You can Help!
- More People! More people are needed to sit in support! All are welcome!
directions to the area are below:
The site is between Gallup, NM and Shiprock, NM (northeastern, NM).
Take the road between Gallup and Shiprock, the 491. at the Mustang
Service Station (one of the only service stations between the two),
turn East on road #5 towards Burnham Chapter. From Burnham Chapter
turn North onto gravel road #5082. About 10-12 miles up the road turn
West until you see the encampment. There will be markers (balloons)
out on the roads. (if you begin to see a dragline, you've gone too
far)
- Fire wood! It is cold outside and many of the resisters are elderly
women. if you can get firewood to the site it is very very much
needed! the directions to the site are above.
- $ Money! Resisters are in need of money for gas and food, and also
for bail money if necessary. Please send donations to local resident
and supporter:
Elouise Brown
1015 Glade Lane 34
Farmington, NM 87401
Elouise can also be reached at: thebrownmachine@hotmail.com
- ATTENTION! the more media and observers are present the least likely
Desert Rock is likely to run people over or harass them. Contact the
media, tell them what is going on. Contact Navajo Authorities, tell
them you are extremely concerned. Be a legal observer. Spread this
Alert!
Media Contact: Lori Goodman, cell #: (970) 759-1908, e-mail address:
Contact the Following Authorities! Tell them you have heard about
Desert Rock's harassment of Navajo elders and youth. Tell them you are
extremely concerned! If enough people contact these offices they will
know that the world is watching.
Shiprock Police Department
phone: (505) 368-1350
fax: (505) 368-1293
Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley's Office
P.O. Box 9000 Window Rock, Arizona, 86515
phone #: (928) 871- 6352
also: George Hardeen, Navajo Nation Communications Director Office of
the President
Office #: 928-871-7000
Cell #: 928-380-7688
e-mail: georgehardeen@opvp.org
Bureau of Indian Affairs (Gallup Office) they are conducting the
Environmental Impact Statement.
Harrilene Yazzi, NEPA Coordinator Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo
Regional Office
P.0. Box 1060 Gallup, New Mexico 87305
Phone: 505-863-8314
Fax: 505-863-8324
Be a Legal Observer - get to the site and help record/witness what is happening
Thank you for your support!!!
Enei Begaye
Executive Director
Black Mesa Water Coalition
408 E. Route 66, Suite #1
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Office #: (928) 213-9760
Jihan Gearon, Native Energy Campaign
Indigenous Environmental Network
(877) 436-2121
