GUEST COMMENTARY

THE NEW PEABODY MINING PLAN
By Vernon Masayesva

The Navajo Hopi Observer, December 6, 2000

     I have recently learned that Peabody Mining Company is planning to open a new coal pit in the Hopi portion of the Black Mesa leasehold. I understand as well, that because this leasehold in covered under an administrative permit, as opposed to the life-of-mine
permit, the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is not required to hold public hearings before making a decision
on the mining plan

     It is the position of Black Mesa Trust that public scrutiny is, in fact, mandated under the code of Federal Regulations 25 CRF Paragraph 21A (1999). The intent of this regulation is to ensure that Tribes wishing to develop their resources proceed in a manner "to minimize any adverse environmental impact or cultural impact resulting from such development." There is no longer any question that Peabody's mining operation is causing irreparable damage to our land and waters. The recent Natural Resources Defense Council report on damage to the N-Aquifer, a report based on data and monitoring reports published by the US Geological Survey and the US Office of Surface Mining scientists, concludes that, "Water levels have decreased by more than one hundred feet in some wells and discharge
has slackened by more than fifty percent in a majority of monitored springs." In other words, the material damage criteria, set up by OSM to safeguard our waters, have been exceeded and yet OSM is allowing the dmage
to worsen.

       Cleary, the time has come to scrutinize the entire Peabody mining operations, and this can happen if the public is allowed to comment on the proposed mining plan. The people at Moencopi, for example, have a right ot
know how many more impoundment dams are expected to be constructed as part of the new mining proposal in addition to the nearly 200 dams now in existence. Safeguards must now be put in place and, at the very least,
public hearings must be held before Peabody mining is permitted to plunder, still further, the pristine ancient water upon which the survival our culture depends.

     Authority to require hearings and to mandate that OSM consider public participation before making any ruling on Peabody's mining plan depends entirely upon the Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt. A formal request for a public hearing from the Hopi and Navajo leaders will force the Secretary to make a favorable decision on our behalf. The Hopi tribal council has run out of time to stay neutral on the water depletion issue and the federal government's continuing failure to protect our water resources.

-- Vernon Masayesva

P.O. Box 33
Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039