The El Paso Natural Gas Company says it hasn't heard from the Interior Department about its pipeline on the Navajo Nation.

El Paso had a right-of-way agreement with the tribe that expired last week. The two sides were negotiating a new deal but talks have broken off because the company won't pay the amount the Navajos are seeking.

On September 29, El Paso asked Interior to approve the right-of-way regardless of the tribe's position. The company claims the Navajo Treaty of 1868 authorizes the use of tribal land for utility projects.

Get the Story:
El Paso asks feds to intervene (The Gallup Independent 10/25)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
El Paso Natural Gas - http://www.elpaso.com

Related Stories:
Navajo Nation says pipeline company in trespass (10/24)
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)
NCAI's Hall praises Senate passage of energy bill (06/29)
Appraiser warned DOI of undervaluation of Indian lands (12/06)
BIA sued for rights-of-way on Ute Reservation in Utah (06/03)
Trust fund special master alleges government fraud (04/07)
Special master Balaran resigns from Cobell lawsuit (4/6)
Lamberth defends special master against attack (03/16)
Navajo landowners question BIA agreement with company (10/21)
Retaliation alleged in firing of trust fund manager (09/18)
Court report finds undervaluation of Navajo lands (08/21)
Navajo trust fund manager targeted in internal probe (07/15)
DOI employees falsified Navajo trust data (06/11)
Navajo leaders criticize upheaval at trust fund office (05/09)