While in Washington D.C. for the White House Tribal Nations Conference, Hopi Tribal Chairman LeRoy N. Shingoitewa, Navajo President Ben Shelly and Chairman Cedric Black Eagle of the Crow Tribe met with Office of Surface Mining Director Joseph Pizarchik to discuss proposed stream protection rules.
All three Tribal leaders told Pizarchik they want funding for Abandoned Mine Lands restored as all three tribes are certified and are all in opposition of rulemaking that would adversely affect their ability to mine on their own lands.
Pizarchik remarked that all three tribes were effectively using the AML funding, however any continued AML funding has been cut by Congress. All three also asked for an exemption to these cuts.
“Hopi supports efforts to reclaim and protect streams affected by past mining, in addition to protecting streams from new mining,” said Shingoitewa.
Pizarchik was welcoming to the three Tribal leaders and stated the importance of cooperation in new rulemaking between the tribes the Office of Surface Mining.
For more information on The Hopi Tribe, visit www.hopi-nsn.gov.
