Shirley optimistic about '06

By George Hardeen
Navajo Nation President's Office

WINDOW ROCK — Despite the expected loss of revenue from the closure of the 35-year-old Black Mesa Mine on Saturday, Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., is optimistic about millions of dollars of new revenue that could be available beginning in 2006 and beyond.

In reports to numerous chapters throughout the Christmas season, Shirley said that with the opening of casinos, the planned development of the Desert Rock Power Plant by 2010, the development of a theme park near Williams, Ariz., and other plans, the Navajo Nation could expect to see upwards of $360 million per year in new revenue.

"Today, coal, gas and natural resources is where we get our revenue from," Shirley told about 80 residents at Lake Valley Chapter. He gave similar reports at White Cone, Nageezi, Red Valley, Chinle, Nazlini. "We realize about $160 million from resources paid to Navajo Nation. When the casinos actually go in, it will add up to $260 million. At least it will help with our budget."

This year, he said, the Navajo Nation hired its Navajo Nation Gaming Regulatory Office director, Eddie Lockett, who brings years of experience to the job. In 2006, the Nation plans to open at least two casinos that are expected to bring in $100 million in new revenue.

Casino locations under consideration are Shiprock, Nahata Dzill, Iyanbito, Shiprock, LeChee, Cameron and possibly Chinle, the President said.

"We wish it would hurry up and happen," he said.

He added that the Nation still needs to consider a revenue-sharing formula for host chapters to receive casino revenue as well.

"We're mindful of the Local Governance Act," he said. "Authority needs to go back to the local government."

Navajo veterans, students and the elderly are in particular need of funding and will depend on these new revenues, Shirley said. He has proposed that gaming revenue for these needs be specifically designated. He said some 17,000 students apply for scholarships each year but only about 6,000 can be funded.

Currently, many students are forced to borrow money for school or have their parents pay for their college educations, he said.

Also under discussion is development of Desert Rock Power Plant in the Four Corners area, he said. The President said he supports its construction because it will use the most advanced technology available to reduce harmful air emissions, would produce hundreds of quality jobs through its construction phase until 2010, and beyond through operations, and bring in about $50 million in revenue to the Nation.

Another project the President supports is a theme park planned for Williams, Ariz., that will target tourists en route to the Grand Canyon.

The Navajo role would be to create a tax-free bond district with land used for the park. The project could bring $53 million a year to the Nation, he said.

Lastly, the President reports that his Capital Improvement Plan is still viable although he is exploring other funding sources because the Navajo Nation Council has not considered it.

One plan is to request an interest-free loan from Congress. The President said he's discussed the idea with U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici who asked him for a proposal. He said the U.S. government is lending money to other countries often.

"We're a country right here," he said.

The funding would allow the Nation to do the same thing the CIP $500 million bond proposal would. Topping the President priority list for the CIP is construction of seven Public Safety/Judicial Complexes, Headstart centers, senior centers, multi-purpose community buildings and waterline and powerline extensions.

Shirley also reported that he is pleased the Navajo Nation Council defeated legislation to use $33 million from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. He said the vision of council delegates in 1993 was to create a way to put aside money for the expressed purpose of purchasing land to consolidate and expand the Navajo land base.

Last week's special session of the Council was the sixth attempt to liquidate $33 million from the fund to give $300,000 to each chapter, regardless of whether chapters had plans to use it.