RESOLUTION ON THE PROTECTION OF THE BLACK MESA
PLATEAU
WHEREAS, the Office of Surface Mining conducted
an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) 1990, for
both the Black Mesa / Kayenta mines was totally
incomplete in regards to sacred sites, burial
sites, ceremonial sites, and social-economical
adverse impacts to the Dine and Hopi life
tradtional styles.
AND WHEREAS, Peabody Coal Company received a
permit on July 6th 1995 by the Office of
Surface Mining for another five years to
operate on the Black Mesa / Kayenta mines
despite the opportunity of public hearings and
scientific evidence raised by the residents of
the HPL area.
AND WHEREAS, the Office of Surface Mining, and
both the Navajo and Hopi Tribal governments
have failed to produce proper reclamation
policies which would perpetuate traditional
medical practices. That contaminated ponds and
soil, has a toxicological effects on
vegetation, livestock and public health, as
well as of inter-active toxicological effects
of selenium, copper and other heavy metals in
both surface and groundwater sources of the
Black Mesa region.
AND WHEREAS,the Office of Surface Mining has
explicity allowed Peabody Coal Company to
ignore protections for graves, religious,
cultural and archeological sites and
requirements to minimize land disturbance.
WE THEREFORE, demand Peabody Coal Company to
stop its mining activities on Black Mesa
immediatly, if this is not possible, Peabody's
permit should be re-evaluable if pending
studies prove that there exist health problem.
These tests are beeing carried out by Navajo
and Hopi Tribal government, Department of
Surface Mining, Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection Agency in co-operation
with Dine Alliance, Dine C.A.R.E., Peabody
Watch, and Greenpeace.
Moved by:Seconded
by:
Passed:
July 29th - Aug 1st, Les Geneves sur Coffrane,
Switzerland