Protesters blockade Desert Rock site

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

SHIPROCK — Members of the Dooda Desert Rock committee blockaded the site of the proposed Desert Rock Energy Facility Tuesday and are scheduled to appear in court this morning in Shiprock.

Lori Goodman of Diné Care said there were 10 people from Dooda Desert Rock involved in the incident, which was spurred by what the group alleges is "illegal drilling."

Goodman said she called Diné Power Authority General Manager Steven Begay and asked whether he had documents to be drilling on-site.

"He said he has permission to survey from the Navajo Nation and BIA Realty," Goodman said, adding that Begay told her the project also had been authorized by Nenahnezad Chapter through resolution. The Desert Rock site is located in Nenahnezad.

"The community people are upset about activities taking place without being consulted," she said. "We want to get a cease-and-desist order against the construction company from drilling at the site."

The group is alleging that Sithe Global Power LLC and DPA, partners in the project, were "illegally drilling without a categorical exclusion document."

Sarah White of Sanostee, a member of Dooda Desert Rock, said late Tuesday that she went to the camp where the opposition had gathered to deliver supper.

"While we were eating, the cops came to us and told us we were trespassing and that DPA had all the rights to go through to do their work. The officers said they had all the papers to show they are approved."

White said the two police officers asked whether members of the group had grazing permits to the site and also questioned which chapter they vote in.

"They said the Nenahnezad Chapter approved the land and water, and they are the only ones to say yes or no," White said.

"At this point Alice Gilmore showed up, and she told the police she has the grazing permit to the area. She told them time after time, she don't want the power plant in her area. They keep on working on it, and she did not approve it," White said.

"She told them DPA/Sithe had no respect for her and her land."

White said they were told by police to move out and not block the road, but the group refused. DPA finally was given a police escort to the site to retrieve equipment.

"We were asked to appear in court in Shiprock tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.," White said.

"We stayed there for about one and a half hours before we pulled out," after DPA left, she said.

"Right now, two of my sons and my daughter are over there to camp all night and tomorrow until we get the word back to them. Alice Gilmore and her husband brought some wood for a campfire."