FROM THE ARCHIVE

Another BIA employee alleges retaliation

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JUNE 29, 2001

First there was Joe Christie. Then it was Mona Infield. Now comes Mohammad Baloch.

Baloch, a Bureau of Indian Affairs employee in Washington, DC, claims his supervisor is harassing him and trying to force him into retirement because of his work on a coal mine project Zuni Pueblo is opposing.

Baloch and a private company hired by the BIA have concluded the mine would negatively impact a sacred lake used by the New Mexico tribe. But the Pueblo says Baloch's claims of harassment prove there are forces at work within the Department of Interior to approve the mine no matter the damage it may do.

The state of New Mexico has already approved the mine operation, which will supply power to Phoenix, Arizona. The Interior still has to weigh in.

Get the Story:
BIA engineer claims retaliation (The Santa Fe New Mexican 6/29)

Relevant Links:
Mining and Minerals Division, New Mexico - http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/Mining

Related Stories:
Mine developer hopes for approval (6/26)
Pueblo promises lawsuit against mine (6/25)
Mine near sacred lake debated (6/22)
Zuni Pueblo battling coal mine (6/11)