The Navajo Nation says a utility company that operates a gas pipeline that runs through the reservation is in trespass and could face action.
For the past 50 years, the tribe has let El Paso Natural Gas use 900 miles of the reservation for the pipeline. But the most recent right-of-way agreement expired at midnight on October 17.
"The deadline has passed, but the natural gas continues to flow," Navajo Nation Attorney General Louis Denetsosie told The Arizona Republic.
The tribe and El Paso were negotiating to extend the right-of-way but talks hit an impasse over money. El Paso says it isn't willing to pay the $440 million the tribe has reportedly sought over the next 20 years. The company is offering more than $200 million and other considerations.
El Paso has since asked the Interior Department to approve the right-of-way and has set up a web site to make its case [Link]. Denetsosie says the tribe only wants fair value for the use of tribal land.
Get the Story:Navajo seeks to resolve pipeline conflict (The Arizona Republic 10/24)
El Paso and Navajo pipeline lease expires (Indian Country Today 10/24) Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
El Paso Natural Gas - http://www.elpaso.com Related Stories:
Utility bypasses tribe, asks DOI for pipeline approval (09/30)
Tribe, utility far apart on natural gas pipeline (9/23)
Lawyer: Challenges to pipeline on Navajo Nation (07/26)
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Appraiser warned DOI of undervaluation of Indian lands (12/06)
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