Audio Clip
Navajo Nation Investigates EPA Water Tanks
The Navajo Nation is investigating what appears to be oil in the water tanks the Environmental Protection Agency delivered for the tribe’s crops and livestock. The EPA sent several water tanks to Shiprock, N.M., after contaminating the San Juan River with 3 million gallons of mine waste two weeks ago.
Navajo President Russell Begaye posted a video on his Facebook page. In it he stood in front of a large black tank. The president poured a cup of yellow water from the tank and reached his hand into the spout. He then showed the camera his hand covered in a brown substance.
Laurel Morales
More than 750 farmers, 60,0000 head of cattle and 25,000 acres are affected by the Colorado mine spill on the Navajo Nation.
"This is what they expect our animals to drink?" Begaye said.
The tribe’s attorney general Ethel Branch held the cup of water up to the camera.
"There’s oil in these tanks," Branch said. "We don’t trust the EPA to be here. They need to get out of our nation. Send the dollars directly here. Let us take care of these issues ourselves, because we care about the health and welfare of our people."
The EPA said in a statement the agency contracted with the city of Bloomfield’s utility company. And the water met all applicable federal and state water quality standards for crops and livestock.
Updated 9//4/2015 at 3:49 p.m.
