Sunday, November 17, 2019

Navajo Nation Administration Completes Earthen Dam Repairs in the Former Bennett Freeze Area

By Navajo Times Staff - November 17, 2019 at 12:01AM

Earthen dams within the Former Bennett Freeze Area.

Published November 17, 2019

TOLANI LAKE, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez met with community members and local officials on Friday, in the community of Tolani Lake, Ariz. to announce the recent completion of repairs to three earthen dams in the Former Bennet Freeze Area while work continues on other local dams.

On May 21, President Nez met with Tolani Lake residents and officials and gave his commitment that the Nez-Lizer Administration would advance water projects including water line extensions, installation of water tanks, earthen dam repairs, and water resources for livestock and agriculture. President Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer also met with residents in the remote community of Black Falls in February.

Since then, President Nez and Vice President Lizer have met with officials with the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources and the Water Management Branch to identify and secure more resources to help local residents.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez
meeting with community members on Nov. 15, 2019
in Tolani Lake, Ariz.

“When we came to Tolani Lake and Black Falls several months ago we told you that we would be back to report on the progress we’re making. We’re proud of the work that has been completed — it’s a good start, but there’s much more we need to work together with the community to improve,” said President Nez. “This is a great opportunity to keep the momentum going, we need to have benchmarks and show results, and come back together to keep planning and moving forward.”

He also highlighted the Nez-Lizer Administration’s ongoing work to develop housing manufacturing facilities on the Navajo Nation to construct new homes for Navajo families, and to complete infrastructure projects that were funded in previous years including power line and water line projects.

In addition to the earthen dam repairs, Tariq Najam with the Department of Water Resources also announced that the Nation will receive new heavy equipment in January, and will designate certain equipment specifically to make improvements for the Former Bennet Freeze Area communities.

President Nez was joined by Navajo-Hopi Land Commission Office Executive Director Robert K. Black, Jr., who spoke about the launch of the “Navajo Thaw Implementation Plan,” a partnership with Native Builders LLC and Building Communities to address infrastructure, community, and economic development in the Former Bennet Freeze Area.

According to NHLCO Executive Director Robert Black, Jr., the partnership would allow the nine local chapters to identify their strategies, initiatives, projects, and priorities to address in the detailed plan. The investment plan will leverage the collective power and energy of the chapters to secure funding and development within the area, he added.

Following the presentations, President Nez took time to listen to concerns from local residents, which focused primarily on the need to improve existing roads in the area, the need for electricity and more water resources for residents.

He also acknowledged the work conducted by the Tolani Lake Livestock and Water Users Association, Tolani Lake Enterprise, Leupp Farms, and chapter officials and asked for their continued support and partnership.

“We can do a lot at the central level of government, but we can do even more when the local chapters and residents work together with us to empower your communities to make positive changes,” added President Nez.

Following the meet at Tolani Chapter, President Nez and the residents visited several of the earthen dam sites that have been completed. The Nez-Lizer Administration thanks Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources Executive Director Dr. Rudy Shebala, Tariq Najam with the Department of Water Resources, Jason John with Water Management, and many others for your dedication and hard work.

The post Navajo Nation Administration Completes Earthen Dam Repairs in the Former Bennett Freeze Area appeared first on Native News Online.



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