Just two days ago on the 29th Sinjin Eberle of American Rivers shared in an email that –
…a member of the Navajo Nation Tribal Council has introduced legislation to authorize the first phase of construction of the Grand Canyon Escalade, the widely unpopular proposal to build a resort and tramway development on the East Rim of the Grand Canyon. Of course, this is something that we all have been anticipating for some time, but it has finally come to fruition. There is now a 5-day comment period where citizens can make their voice heard on this legislation that could affect anyone who can identify and appreciate the grandeur that is the Grand Canyon.
There is much to cover on this story – why now? Do the developers think that they have the votes to overcome a Presidential veto? What is the current sentiment on the reservation about the project? How might this impact decisions by the Obama administration to protect critical areas as Monuments? Can the thing really pass? How quickly would the Hopi sue if it did (under previous inter-tribal agreements on sacred sites)? What are the ramifications for the National Park (mere days after the centennial celebration)?…
Clearly one of the outside (outside the Navajo Nation) developers, Confluence Partners out of Scottsdale, has been able to “motivate” a member of the Tribal Council to introduce legislation to get the process rolling.
There isn’t much time to respond publicly respond (5 days from the 29th) – American Rivers has a petition posted here – please click over and sign today.
The Grand Canyon isn’t for sale – this is the wrong place and the wrong project.
