"The Tohono O'odham Tribal Council has generously agreed to keep Coleman Road open through Sept. 29, allowing Pima County more time to bulldoze an alternative route into a wildcat subdivision west of Tucson.

Coleman Road, located west of Three Points, travels south from Arizona 86 and crosses Tohono O'odham land. Some 70 property owners live on private land � Hayhook Ranch � at the end of the road.

The tribe has previously informed the residents that it considers their use of the road to be trespassing. It repeated that in a letter mailed to the residents on Wednesday.

Tohono O'odham tribal Chairwoman Vivian Juan-Saunders said Thursday: "For the most part the residents have been good neighbors, though I'm not sure they're totally understanding of who we are as a people."

She added: "There are a handful who are very confrontational." Some of the neighbors are cooperative and some are not, she said, but all were subject to a restraining order filed in 2003."

Get the Story:
Editorial: O'odham generously extend road deadline (The Arizona Daily Star 9/1)

Related Stories:
Editorial: BIA to blame for O'odham road woes (8/30)
Tohono O'odham Nation ready to close illegal road (07/18)