Diné CARE files lawsuit to stop oil development in Eastern Navajo Agency
Many oilrigs, like this one, are set up near the Lybrook Ariz., area. (Times photo – Ravonelle Yazzie)
WINDOW ROCK
In one of its latest struggles to protect the Four Corners region from natural resource extraction, the non-profit Diné CARE has filed an injunction to prevent any more oil drilling from happening in the area.
Specifically, their motive for the injunction, which was filed in New Mexico District Court on May 11, is to protect the Greater Chaco Canyon area, including Chaco Culture National Historical Park, from ongoing oil development that is also impacting several Diné communities.
Along with Diné CARE, the suit includes a coalition of other nongovernmental, environmental organizations, such as the Western Environmental Law Center, WildEarth Guardians and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
“We need to put a stop to fracking in the Greater Chaco region because it impacts the living peoples, the water, air, wildlife, medicinal plants and offering points,” said Sarah White in a March 11 joint news release with the groups attempting to halt oil and gas development.
White claimed there are reports of contaminated water from the gas and oil industry’s method of fracking, or the process of drilling down into the earth with a high pressure of water mixture, which allows gas to flow out to the head of a well.
Some people have had to buy bottled water to avoid drinking the polluted water, she said.
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