Chapter land plans approved

By Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Two more chapters have obtained their land use plan approvals from the Transportation-Community Development Committee.

The committee has been granting the approvals rapidly as a result of chapter planning committees winning their memberships votes to designate which land will be used for housing, businesses, industries, roads, utility corridors, open space and government lots (including schools). There has been only one conflict, which was based on Shonto's claim of being part of Navajo Mountain's territory.

The Government Development Office obtained about $3 million of federal housing money over a three-year period to hire consultants to draft plans with extensive community influence. This means more chapters are submitting their resolutions for approval. Although the federal funds were only for writing the housing element of the plans, by the very nature of the work, the other uses also had to be drawn on the map.

The panel certified Beclabito of the Northern Agency on Tuesday by a 7-0 vote and Pinon of the Chinle Agency on Wednesday by a 6-0 vote. Tuesday's certification was sponsored by Delegate David Tom, who also represents neighboring Gadii' Ahi (Cudeii), with Wednesday's sponsored by Delegate Lorenzo Bedonie, who also represents neighboring Hard Rock. Committee member Johnny Naize (Tselani-Cottonwood, Nazlini) presented Bedonie a special certificate because both his chapters now have the coveted honor.

At Beclabito an audience of about 100 people heard a brief chapter history, according to Legislative Branch press officer Karen Francis.

Vision to pursue
Ryan Dan Lee, the Beclabito plan board's president, commented, "Through this plan, we hope to instill in the minds of our people a vision that they can pursue."

Delegate Tom added the chapter's goal is called "Progress Toward Prosperity." Since the chapter is a ranching area, Tom said a dam is needed to hold water for livestock and that people want to bring back farming, which was common before World War II.

He added the chapter wants to build fire and police stations and is working on an economic development plan.

T-CDC member Edward Jim Sr. (Newcomb, Sheep Springs, Toadlena-Two Grey Hills) presented the certificate to Lee, with chapter Vice President Tom Bekis and Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Susie John.

Bedonie and Chapter President Bessie Allen noted that Pinon's plan is classed as "comprehensive," instead of the more common "community" status, because it includes all the elements of a full plan. Since the NHA funds were only for housing, the Navajo Nation Council changed the designation so chapters could advance with what they had, but Pinon hired a consultant to write the non-housing elements.

Committee members were impressed that the plan's vision is written in Navajo and that the chapter has started work on a clan-based genealogy.

Member Sampson Begay (Jeddito, Low Mountain, Steamboat) urged the chapter to seek the other half of a complete Local Governance Act certification by using the five-part management system, getting confirmation from Auditor General Ryan Claw and, finally, the committee's vote.

So far only Nahata Dziil (New Lands) the youngest of the 110 chapters has both certificates to operate its local affairs independent of the central government.

— To contact reporter Jim Maniaci, telephone (505) 371-5443.