Re: Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Water Rights Settlement Agreement Harvard Native American Economic Development Project

and Brandeis Heller School for Social Policy would be happy to support studies regarding Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA), and Economic Impact Analysis. Let science and careful policy analysis speak before you make any decisions to sell away water rights. Please let me know if we can be of any assistance. Full submitted letter follows: Date: 6/13/2012 Executive Director Office of Legislative Services P.O. Box 3390 Window Rock, AZ 86515 Yaateeh Executive Director, Speaker Naize, and the 22nd Navajo Nation Council, Im a writing to voice my opposition to the Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Water Rights Settlement Agreement. As a member of the Navajo Nation who is concerned about the well being of our future generations, I recognize the need for water and water development and delivery projects. However, the water delivery projects in the Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Water Rights Settlement Agreement come at too high a price! By agreeing to this settlement, we would be giving away so much for so little and jeopardizing the livelihoods of future generations of Dine people. As a development planner with a specialty in safe water and sanitation and who has worked on the Navajo Nation (see Black Falls Safe Water and Sanitation: http://www.downtheyellowcakeroad.org/userfiles/file/EPA%20Progress%20Report%20Navajo% 20clean%20up.pdf ) I am acutely aware of the need for a sustainable solution to water scarcity and portability. I urge you to do an Environmental Impact Assessment before signing away water rights. "An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project (decision) may have on the environment, together consisting of the environmental, social and economic aspects". In response to climate change and droughts it is essential to adapt water management for future sustainability. Economically, I urge you to consider the real losses v. supposed gains in selling away your water rights by conducting an Economic Impact Study. Let science speak by conducting an EIA before you make any decisions! I would also recommend conducting a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) on the possible effects this policy decision will have on the Dine' (People). Regarding Legislation No. 0230-12: An Action Relating to Budget and Finance; Resources and Development and Naabikiyati Committees: Approving the Proposed Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Water Rights Settlement Agreement, I urge you to vote no. For the sake of future generations of Dine people, do not approve the water settlement agreement.

To Ei Iina! Water is Life! NO to the Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Water Settlement Agreement! Ahehee, Name: Rita Sebastian Title (if applicable): MA Sustainable International Development, Brandeis University, Heller School for Social Policy Your mailing address: 217 Trotting Park Rd. East Falmouth, MA 02536 Email Address: rita@brandeis.edu Thank-you, Rita Monestersky- Sebastian http://www.downtheyellowcakeroad.org/userfiles/file/EPA%20Progress%20Report%20Navajo% 20clean%20up.pdf