Statement of Norman L. Bowman, Director of Resources Division, the Navajo Tribe


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STATEMENT OF NORMAN L. BOWMAN, DIRECTOR OF RESOURCES DIVISION, THE NAVAJO TRIBE


Mr. Bowman. Mr. Chairman. members of the committee, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to be given this opportunity to testify on the Navajo Indian irrigation project in behalf of 120,000 Navajo people. The Navajo Tribe wholeheartedly endorses S. 203.

This bill provides additional authorization to allow the orderly continuing development of the Navajo Indian irrigation project. It provides for the inclusion of sufficient land areas so that the project goal of 110,630 irrigated acres may be obtained. It updates the construction authorization from the basis of June 1969 prices to that January 1966. And it provides that funds expended by the Navajo Tribe for the value of Federal lands may be used to compensate persons holding grazing permits, licenses, or leases of lands which become a part of the Navajo Indian irrigation project.

The development of the Navajo Indian irrigation project has progressed as rapidly as the availability of funds has permitted. The Navajo Dam, water source for the project, contains some 10 feet in depth than ever before. Some 13 miles of the conveyance system from the dam toward the project land is essentially complete.

Planning of project land development has resulted in the determination of the individual fields including the size and location of water delivery outlets on approximately 21,000 acres. The Bureau of Reclamation, utilizing these layouts, is now designing the lateral systems on some 11,000 acres. The roads network throughout the first development unit has been planned and the size and location determined.

The San Juan Branch Experiment Station, located on Navajo Indian irrigation project lands, is in its second operational year determining types of crops, varieties, yields and methods of operations.

The Navajo Tribe continues to operate an agricultural unit near Shiprock, N. Mex. Here methods of operation are being determined and various plans put into practice prior to the actuality of the Navajo Indian irrigation project.

The Navajo Tribe is in the process of purchasing a private ranch, part of which will be located within the project.

We believe that the passage of S. 203 will facilitate future project progress.

Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, I would like to say that the Navajo Tribe is appreciative of the efforts that you have extended towards the realization of this Navajo Indian irrigation project.

Senator Anderson. Thank you very much. Do you have another witness from the Tribe?

STATEMENT OF CARL L. TODACHEENE, MEMBER, NAVAJO TRIBAL COUNCIL; MEMBER, ADVISORY COMMITTEE, NAVAJO TRIBAL COUNCIL, SHIPROCK, N. MEX.

Mr. Todacheene. Mr. Chairman, I think it is a great honor for the representatives of the Navajo Tribe to appear at this hearing before this great and honorable committee of a great Nation, and it is with pride that we get into the record of this committee two resolutions of the Navajo Tribal Council, if the Chair would so desire.

Senator Anderson. We would be glad to include them in the record.

Mr. Todacheene. Thank you.

Resolution of the Navajo Tribal Council, CJA-5-67, recommending legislation by the Congress of the United States to fully implement the Navajo irrigation project:

Whereas:

1.The Navajo Tribal Council, by resolution dated December 12, 1957 (CD-86-57), supported by the passage of the act of June 13, 1962 (76 Stat. 96) which provided that the Navajo Irrigation Project would divert an annual average of 508,000 acre feet of water to irrigate approximately 110,630 acres of land of the Navajo Reservation and lying outside the Reservation to be acquired by the Secretary of the Interior and to be held in trust for the benefit of the Navajo Tribe, and,
2.The Navajo Tribe consented to compromise its rights under the Winters Doctrine by agreeing to share shortages of the consideration for the development of the Project, the acquisition of additional land to make up the 110,630 irrigable acres and the allocation of 508,000 acre feet per year to the Tribe for irrigation use, and
3.The Navajo Irrigation Project is the most important project on the entire Navajo Reservation. It will create employment for a large portion of the Navajo Tribe and will give them permanent employment in farming and related industries. In comparison to all other programs now in progress on the Navajo Reservation, or being contemplated, the Navajo Irrigation Project holds more promise for the social and economic uplifting of the Navajo people than all of the other projects put together, and
4.Recognizing the importance of the Navajo Irrigation Project, the Navajo Tribal Council on October 5, 1966, passed Resolution CO-106-66 commenting on the Task Force Report in regard to the reevaluation of the Navajo Irrigation Project, and
5.Recent reports have indicated that, due to the lack of appropriations to implement the Navajo Irrigation Project according to the original scheduled plan, the construction of said project is in such a stage that the delivery of water to the land will be three years later than originally anticipated, and
6.The Commissioner of Indian Affairs has requested all Indian tribes to give statements regarding what legislation they feel is important to be presented to the next session of Congress.

Now therefore be it resolved that:

1.The Navajo Tribal Council hereby declares that it considers the Navajo Irrigation Project as the most important one program being developed on the Navajo Reservation and that it considers the appropriating of sufficient money and letting of appropriate contracts to be the most important one item which the Congress can do and authorize for the benefit of the Navajo Tribe.
2.The Navajo Tribal Council again states the condition agreed upon with the United States established in the Council's resolutions of December 12, 1937 (CD-86-57) and October 3, 1966 (CO-106-66) as follows:
(a)The land areas to be irrigated by the Project must not be reduced below the authorized 110,630 acres and the annual diversion from the Navajo Dam for irrigation must not be less that the authorized 508,000 acre-feet, whether the capacity to supply this quantity is provided by an increase in the size of the tunnels and canals or by the Gallegos Reservoir.
(b)The Irrigation Project must be exclusively for Navajo Indian use and there must be transferred into trust status sufficient off-reservation areas necessary to make up 110,630 irrigable acres which will be included as part of the irrigation project.
(c)No use in New Mexico of water of the San Juan River not heretofore authorized will be given priority ahead of the Navajo Irrigation Project.
(d)All of the Irrigation Project facilities must be constructed with sufficient capacity to supply reasonably anticipated industrial and municipal needs (as evidenced by the applications for water allocations already submitted to and approval being withheld by the Secretary of the Interior) without reducing the 508,000 acre feet authorized for irrigation and without requiring such industries and municipalities to construct supplemental storage terminals.
3.The Navajo Tribal Council, on behalf of the Navajo Tribe, hereby requests the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to draft a bill consistent with the terms of this resolution and, after consultation with the Advisory Committee of the Navajo Tribal Council, present such a bill to the 90th Congress, which bill will accomplish the following purposes:
(a)Appropriate sufficient money to complete the Navajo Irrigation Project under its original plan.
(b)Authorize the inclusion in said Project of additional land to make up the total of 110,630 irrigable acres authorized.
(c)Provide for accelerated construction and appropriation of money in order to make up the loss of three years which have been lost to date in the construction schedule.
4.The Navajo Tribal Council here authorizes and directs the Legislative Secretary of the Navajo Tribal Council to forward copies of this resolution to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs the Secretary of the Interior, and to the chairmen and members of the appropriate committees of the United States Congress, and to request of the chairmen of such committees, on behalf of the Navajo Tribe, that the Navajo Tribe be given an opportunity to be heard at any hearings in which such bill is being considered, and to request that a specific invitation to attend such hearing be addressed to the Chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council, the Advisory Committee of the Navajo Tribal Council, the Director of the Resources Division of the Navajo Tribe, the Head of the Land Investigation Department, and the General Counsel of the Navajo Tribe.

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolutions was duly considered by the Navajo Tribal Council at a duly called meeting at Window Rock, Arizona, at which a quorum was present and that same was passed by a vote of 43 in favor and 0 opposed, this 23rd day of January, 1967. Signed Nelson Damon, Vice Chairman, Navajo Tribal Council.

I would also like to include one more resolution into the record on behalf of the Navajo Tribal Council, Mr. Chairman, and this is CMY-36-67. Resolution of the Navajo Tribal Council requesting an amendment to the act of June 13, 1962, 76 Stat. 96 relating to the Navajo Indian irrigation project:

Whereas:

1.Pursuant to the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project Act, (76 Stat. 96) the Bureau of Reclamation began and is constructing the irrigation canals from the Navajo Dam Reservoir to the Irrigation Project lands, with the funding of funds for this project through the Bureau of Indian Affairs' annual budget, and
2.Because of the many programs for the Indian tribes of the United States which is handled by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the funding for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project under the Bureau of Indian Affairs' programs has been very limited as the funding has to compete with the other programs of the Bureau, and as a result the construction of the said project is at a stage that the delivery of water to the project lands will be three years later than originally scheduled, and
3.In order to make up for the lost time in the construction it would be more appropriate to have funds appropriated through the Bureau of Reclamation projects, and
4.By Resolution No. CMA-14-64, dated March 2, 1964, the Navajo Tribal Council requested of the Congress of the United States to amend the Act of June 13, 1962, to include additional townships outside the Navajo Indian Reservation for the expansion of the project. Since 1964, the Irrigation Project has been reevaluated (1) where more lands will need to be added outside the Reservation for the project; and (2) the authorization be increased by $40 million to complete the project. In addition, an authority is needed for the Secretary of the Interior to compensate for leasehold interests of the ranchers who will sell their holdings for the irrigation project.

Now therefore be it resolved that:

1.The Navajo Tribal Council hereby requests the Congress of the United States to amend the Act of June 13, 1962 (76 Stat. 96) as follows:
  1. A.That Section 7 of the Act be amended to provide funding for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project through the Bureau of Reclamation.
  2. B.That Section 7 of the Act be amended to provide for an authority to appropriate to the Bureau of Reclamation an additional amount of $40 million for the project.
  3. C.That Section 3 of the Act be amended to include the following townships: Townships 26 and 27 North, Range 11 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian.

    Townships 24, 25, and 26 North, Ranges 12 and 13 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian.

2.The Navajo Tribal Council hereby authorizes and directs the Chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council to forward copies of this resolution to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, the Secretary of the Interior, and to the chairmen and members of the appropriate committees of the United States Congress, and to request of the chairmen of such committees, on behalf of the Navajo Tribe, that the Navajo Tribe be given an opportunity to be heard at any hearings in which such bill is being considered, and to request that a specific invitation to attend such hearing be addressed to the Chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council, the Advisory Committee of the Navajo Tribal Council, the Director of the Resource Division of the Navajo Tribe, the Head of the Land Investigation Department and the General Counsel of the Navajo Tribe.

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly considered by the Navajo Tribal Council at a duly called meeting at Window Rock, Arizona, at which a quorum was present and that same was passed by a vote of 58 in favor and 0 opposed, this 9th day of May, 1967.

(Signed)Nelson Damon,
Vice Chairman, Navajo Tribal Council.

With this I want to thank the committee for appearing before you.

Senator Anderson. When was the resolution dated?

Mr. Todacheene. May 9, 1967.

Senator Anderson. It has been submitted to members of the committee?

Mr. Todacheene. Yes, sir. This was sent to the Secretary of the Interior, the na Commissioner of Indian Affairs and copies were supposed to go to appropriate committees of the Congress, sir.

Senator Anderson. Is Raymond Nakai here to testify?

Mr. Todacheene. No, sir. I think Mr. Bowman testified in his behalf. We also have one more member of the Navajo Tribe here, if the Honorable Chair can let him testify. He is Mr. Ned Hatathli, president of the Navajo community project, on behalf of the Navajo irrigation project, if the Chair so desires.

Senator Anderson. Mr. Hatathli would be very happy to testify and we would be happy to hear him. Ned, come on up. What I don't understand Mr. Todacheene, is when did you submit the resolution to the committee? We called for a hearing at your request. And the tribal counsel is not here. Your material has been put in here at length today, but with no chance for the committee to study it, or the staff to study it. What happened?

Mr. Todacheene. Mr. Chairman, I am hard of hearing ever since World War II, you know. I got shot and ever since my hearing has been bad. So I did not quite understand. If you are asking about Mr. Nakai. I think he is over at Window Rock, Ariz., handling other business of the Tribe, but he did send the Navajo members, those that you see here.

Senator Anderson. We could not tell, with the rapid reading of the resolution, if you were asking for additional land, or to have special water rights. It was read rather rapidly.

I am not worried about you, Ned. I just do not understand the situation. Here is a long resolution passed by the tribal council and part of it says that you were instructed to report it to the standing committees of the House and Senate. To whom did you report it and when?

Mr. Todacheene. Well, Mr. Nakai will probably have to answer that for himself, Mr. Chairman.

Senator Anderson. You go ahead, Ned. Go ahead with your presentation. Do you have a statement, Mr. Hatathli?

STATEMENT OF NED A. HATATHLI, PRESIDENT, NAVAJO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, MANY FARMS, ARIZ.

Mr. Hatathli. Yes, sir.

Senator Anderson, I appreciate the opportunity to make a statement before your committee.

Senator Anderson. Do you have it in writing?

Mr. Hatathli. Sir?

Senator Anderson. Have you reduced your statement to writing?

Mr. Hatathli. I have my statement in writing, yes.

Senator Anderson. You have only one copy?

Mr. Hatathli. I just have the one copy.

Senator Anderson. Go ahead.

Mr. Hatathli. As you probably know, I am the newly appointed president of the Navajo Community College at Many Farms, Ariz.

I wish to join in welcoming your committee's efforts, Mr. Chairman, and those of your fellow Senators and Representatives, to move the Navajo Indian irrigation project closer to reality. It has been 7 years since the Congress authorized the project, and scant appropriations and slow progress during these years have dimmed the Navajo people's early hopes. The project still offers, however, the best opportunity that Navajo people have for economic development and a higher standard of living. The Navajo people's needs and the help that the project will provide in meeting these needs will be covered. I have no doubt. in other testimony before your committee. We will continue our work to prepare for the project's successful development.

Our work in Navajo Community College is concerned with development of human resources for the project. It has been noted by many authorities that the human element is critical to the success of economic development programs here at home and abroad. Previous programs to introduce American Indians to irrigated farming have met with only limited success. These programs and similar programs among rural people in other countries have demonstrated, however, that success can be achieved. The means to success have been found in human resource development in combination with capital and technological development. Navajo Community College was established by the Navajo Tribe in recognition of the importance of human resource development.

To bear out the Navajo Tribe's practical support for efforts this committee is making, I wish to outline briefly the means by which the college hopes to contribute to the success of the Navajo Indian irrigation project. I wish to preface my outline of the college role with a quick summary of human deveploment needs confronting successful operation of the project.

Educational and related needs of the Navajo people. Forty thousand or more Navajos live in the irrigation project area and neighboring areas which will be directly benefited by the project. All of the 120,000 Navajos living on the reservation and adjacent lands can benefit directly or indirectly. For optimum benefits to be gained, however, Navajo people must acquire technological skills and economic and social capabilities.

Half of all Navajo families still depend for their livelihood on small herds of sheep and subsistence agriculture, supplemented by unskilled wage work and by social security and public assistance. Navajo families--extended families--make up agricultural communities, which live, graze their sheep, and often raise small garden crops in a territory recognized to be for their use. Families move seasonally to graze their sheep. Wool and mutton and garden crops are for the most part consumed or shared or traded with other families, rather than being sold on the market.

Although Navajo society generally follows traditional patterns, Navajo life is adapting rapidly to the technological world, and to access to new goods and markets to job opportunities. Practically all Navajo children of school age now go to school. Wage work has increased until wages provide the major part of Navajo dollar income. Nevertheless, at the time of the 1960 census, half of all adult Navajos could not speak English. Transportation and roads are still primitive in many areas. Water must be hauled many miles for household needs. Navajo infant mortality is several times higher than the national average. Electricity reaches less than half of Navajo homes, or hogans. All in all, even though we Navajos are on our way, we have a long road to travel. The college role is to speed the Navajos along this road.

An Agriculture Department was established at the inception of Navajo Community College, which opened its classes this past January. A staff of three faculty conducted classes in various agricultural subjects, and made a beginning in agricultural extension contacts. Students in agriculture also took courses in English, mathematics, science, social science, and cultural subjects. The Agricultural faculty includes a Navajo now completing his Ph. D. at the University of Arizona, and a former member of the temporary college location at Many Farms, Ariz.

In the coming school year, it is proposed to establish the major college agricultural center at Shiprock, N. Mex., on Navajo tribal lands adjacent to the Navajo Indian irrigation project and near to sites of potential agribusiness enterprise.

The major functions of the college agricultural school will bear directly on preparation for successful development of the irrigation project. These functions are:

1.To open educational opportunities for students interested in careers in agriculture. Students will be offered programs leading to an associate--A.A.--degree in transfer courses leading to advanced education in universities.
2.To carry on Agricultural Extension Service work to help farmers and stockmen improve farming and stockraising practices.
3.To provide training and education in skills useful in agribusiness and service industries needed in connection with agricultural development.
4.To develop management and economic capability among Navajo farm operators.
5.To carry on community work enabling Navajos to take advantage of opportunities opened by the irrigation project.
6.To develop plans and seek support for demonstration programs appropirate to the agriculture anticipated for the irrigation project, and to agricultural development in the remaining Navajo area.

In conclusion, let me emphasize that the Navajo Indian irrigation project is the best hope that Navajo people have for the economic progress we need so urgently. We, therefore, support your efforts to speed up the pace at which the project is proceeding--a pace that has been painfully slow.

I also wish to urge that the Congress consider adding considerably to human development factors in preparation for the Navajo Indian irrigation project. The college program outlined above depends upon support by the Navajo people and by our friends in the Congress and throughout America. Yet, the college program can fill only a small part of the total need. Education, health, community development and related endeavors will require involvement of various Government agencies, of Navajo tribal offices, of universities and public schools, of private institutions and of business enterprise. In these endeavors, the Navajo Community College will cooperate with all interested parties to the best of our ability.

Thank you.

Senator Anderson. Thank you, Mr. Hatathli. Has there been any recent development by the Navajo Tribe? Have you passed some resolution recently? The resolution we have here is dated 1967.

Mr. Bowman. Mr. Chairman, there has been no recent resolution passed except those read this morning.

Senator Anderson. Does the introduction of legislation amounting to millions of dollars signify anything? I cannot see what has happened. This hearing here this morning concerns S. 203. This resolution has long since been outdated.

Mr. Bowman. There have been no recent resolutions by the tribal council made on S. 203.

Senator Anderson. What about land? Did you not want some additional land?

Mr. Bowman. Yes; we do, and this is why we--

Senator Anderson. Why did you bring the 1967 resolution? Why did you not a get a current resolution? I am just trying to find out what happened here. You asked for a hearing. It is hard work scheduling hearings now. We have a logjam almost. And when we ask people to come here you read a resolution which we have had for years. The chairman of your council is not here. What is your official position, Mr. Hatathli?

Mr. Hatathli. My position?

Senator Anderson. Your present situation?

Mr. Hatathli. I am president of the Navajo Community College.

Senator Anderson. Therefore, nobody--

Mr. Hatathli. As of July 1, this year.

Senator Anderson. I was wondering who is testifying for the Navajo Tribal Council.

Mr. Hatathli. I resigned from the Navajo Tribal Council in 1960.

Senator Anderson. I know. I have seen you since that time and I have talked to you.

Mr. Hatathli. Yes.

Senator Anderson. I am glad to have you here today.

Mr. Hatathli. And then I served as director of the resources division up until 1967. Then I have been involved in the development of the educational program for the irrigation project since then.

Senator Anderson. It will be a little hard to consider the bill in the absence of the position of the Navajo Tribal Council itself. The Navajo College is quite a bit different from the Navajo Tribal Council.

Mr. Hatathli. Yes; I understand that, but my main concern is what the college is trying to do with the educational facilities that we have and the program that we have outlined to make ready the human resources element toward the development of the Navajo irrigation project.

Senator Anderson. What about the Navajo Tribal Council chairman, Mr. Nakai? He is not here?

Mr. Hatathli. Right.

Senator Anderson. He was invited here.

What about Mr. Damon? My office called and he said he did not want to come. You are asking for millions of dollars and for the designation of land but we have not testimony by the executive head of the council.

Mr. Hatathli. Mr. Chairman, I can understand your concern, but I cannot speak for these people. I simply just do not know. I am here in behalf of the Navajo Community College.

Senator Anderson. I understand you are here for the Navajo Community College.

And whom do you represent, Mr. Bowman?

Mr. Bowman. Mr. Chairman, I am here as director of the resources to present the chairman's statement. The chairman this week is meeting with his advisory committee, and Mr. Damon is also engaged in these committee hearings.

Senator Anderson. Well, thank you very much.

(The following letter was received from Raymond Nakai, chairman, Navajo Tribal Council and is similar to the testimony of Mr. Bowman:)

The Navajo Tribe
Window Rock, Ariz., July 10, 1969

Statement of the Navajo Tribe Before the Power and Water Resources Subcommittee in Support of S. 203

The Navajo Tribe wholeheartedly endorses S. 203.

This bill provides additional authorization to allow the orderly continuing development of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project.

It provides for the inclusion of sufficient land areas so that the project goal of 110,630 irrigated acres may be obtained.

It updates the construction authorization from a basis of June 1961 prices to that of January 1966.

And it provides that funds expended by the Navajo Tribe for the value of federal lands may be used to compensate persons holding grazing permits, licenses, or leases of lands which become a part of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project.

The development of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project has progressed as rapidly as the availability of funds has permitted.

The Navajo Dam, water source for the project, contains some 10 feet more in depth than ever before.

Some 13 miles of the conveyance system from the dam toward the project land is essentially complete.

Planning of project land development has resulted in the determination of individual fields including the size and location of water delivery outlets on approximately 21,000 acres. The Bureau of Reclamation, utilizing these layouts, is now designing the lateral systems on some 11,000 acres.

The roads networks throughout the first development unit has been planned and the size and location determined.

The San Juan Branch Experiment Station, located on Navajo Indian Irrigation Project lands, is in its second operational year determining types of corps, varieties yields and methods of operations.

The Navajo Tribe continues to operate an agricultural unit near Shiprock, New Mexico. Here methods of operation are being determined and various plans put into practice prior to the actuality of the Navajos Indian Irrigation Project.

The Navajo Tribe is in the process of purchasing a private ranch part of which will be located within the project.

We believe that the passage of S. 203 will facilitate further project progress.

Raymond Nakai,
Chairman, Navajo Tribal Council.

Senator Anderson. If there are no further witnesses the hearing is adjourned.

(Whereupon, the subcommittee was recessed at 11:40 a.m., Tuesday July 15, 1969, to reconvene subject to call of the Chair.)

Up: Documents List Previous: Approving long-term contracts for delivery of water from Navajo Reservoir in the state of New Mexico, and for other purposes Next: Amending the act of June 13, 1962, with respect to the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project




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