Navajo Nation reaches interim rights-of-way deal

Monday, January 29, 2007  

The Navajo Nation has reached an interim deal with El Paso Natural Gas Co. over rights-of-way on the reservation.

Negotiations have been ongoing for several years. The tribe has asked for more compensation for the 900-mile gas pipeline that crosses Arizona and New Mexico.

The talks prompted the energy industry to lobby Congress for a provision that would allow the Interior Department to authorize rights-of-way without tribal consent. Tribes opposed the measure.

Instead, Congress approved a study of energy rights-of-way in Indian Country. The draft report did not endorse any specific changes in law.

Get the Story:
Navajo Nation, pipeline company reach interim deal (AP 1/29)

Federal Register Notice:
Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 1813, Draft Report to Congress (August 9, 2006)

Rights-of-Way Report:
Draft Report to Congress: Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 1813 Indian Land Rights-of-Way Study | Appendix: Historic Rates of Compensation for Rights-of-Way Crossing Indian Lands, 1948-2006

National Energy Bill:
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R.6)

Relevant Links:
Council of Energy Resource Tribes - http://www.certredearth.com
Energy Policy Act Section 1813 - http://1813.anl.gov
Department of Energy - http://www.energy.gov

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