Cove land use plan includes cemetery, walking and biking trails

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. ? Navajo Nation Cove Chapter officials have been making several improvements for its community members, including a new community cemetery and walking and hiking trails.

Lee B. Roy Sr., Cove Chapter Community Land Use Planning Council president, reported to the Navajo Nation Council Resources and Development Committee last week that other developments by the chapter included a new school facility and a comprehensive solid waste management plan.

Roy's presentation to the Resources and Development Committee was part of the chapter's request to the committee to approve legislation to recertify the community's land use plan, which was developed by the local Natural Arch Community Land Use Planning Council.

Community members supported the updated land use community plan through a chapter resolution, which was passed in September 2017.

Roy said the group held a public hearing in September, which was followed by a 30-day comment period that allowed local community members to share their input and concerns with the proposed plan.

Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty, who represents Cove and the chapters of Beclabito, Gadi'i'áhi/ To'Koi, Red Valley, Tooh Haltsooi, Toadlena/Two Grey Hills, and Tsé alnáoz't'I'í, commended the Community Land Use Planning Council for their dedication and efforts to engage as many community members as possible during the development of the updated land use plan.

Crotty, who sponsored the legislation for the re-certification of the Cove Chapter land use plan, requested the Resources and Development to amend home site lease policies by waiving fees for home site leases for Navajo veterans and elderly people, which would help provide housing for all community members.

Resources and Development member Jonathan Perry thanked the chapter for their transparency and public engagement efforts in updating the land use plan.

Chapter officials also presented an overview of the community's goals and objectives, which included providing adequate housing units; developing infrastructure and community development; using natural resources efficiently; protecting the environment; creating economic development and tourism opportunities and producing recreational amenities.

Recertification period

Perry suggested to the Resources and Development that the Council consider revising Title 26 of the tribal code to mandate that community-based land use plans be developed for a 10-year period instead of five years because the 10-year period would provide a long-term strategy for chapters.

He noted that the current statute mandates chapter governments to reevaluate and readjust their community land use plan every five years to meet the needs of their changing community.

Resources and Development member Walter Phelps recommended that Cove's land use plan incorporate the estimated 58 abandoned uranium mine sites within the community after testing and assessments are completed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting the testing to ensure safe water for community members.

Phelps also recommended that the chapter include local roads that need maintenance, which would allow the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation to consider the roads as part of the Tribal Transportation Improvement Program.

He noted that roads cannot be considered for inclusion on the transportation improvement program by the Department of Transportation unless the roads are part of a community land use plan.

According to a presentation provided by the Natural Arch Community Land Use Planning Council, the Cove community encompasses more than 50,000 acres of trust land and has more than 600 registered voters as of 2017.

Cove chapter is located approximately 40 miles southwest of Shiprock.

The Resources and Development unanimously approved Legislation 0024-18, which sought the approval of the Resources and Development to recertify the Cove community land use plan. The Resources and Development has final authority over 0024-18.