Navajo work session is Feb. 25, special session set Feb. 26

Independent staff report

WINDOW ROCK — Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan, Iyanbito/Pinedale, announces that the 21st Navajo Nation Council will convene for a work session at 10 a.m. Monday and will conduct a special session at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Navajo Nation Council Chamber.

The work session will allow members of the Navajo Nation Council a chance to discuss and consider information regarding the Navajo Nation Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, which was tabled during the 2008 Winter Session.

The Navajo Nation Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act involves an amendment to Title 4 of the Navajo Nation Code. The legislation is sponsored by Council Delegate George Arthur, T’iistohBikaad/San Juan/ Nenanezad.

Council delegates tabled the legislation during its 2008 Winter Session, which delayed the creation of this tribal superfund law, which would be a program to locate, investigate, and clean up the worst abandoned toxic waste and uncontrolled sites on the Navajo Nation.

The Council requested that a work session and special session be scheduled to allow more time for analysis, after questions arose about how outside entities would be involved in implementing this program. Questions of tribal sovereignty arose as well, which always raises a red flag with the Navajo Nation.

The Council will continue on Feb. 26 with a special session to approve or deny the movement of this legislation.

A full copy of the special session agenda is available on-line at www.navajonationcouncil.org.

Information: Joshua Lavar Butler, (928) 871-6384.