Attorney General Mayes Files Amicus Brief Supporting Hualapai Tribe in Case to Protect Critical Water Supply
Statement by Arizona Attorney General, Tuesday, September 17, 2024
PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced the filing of an amicus brief in support of the Hualapai Tribe's request for a preliminary injunction in Hualapai Indian Tribe v. Haaland and Arizona Lithium, Ltd. The amicus brief urges the court to take action to protect Arizona's water resources from potentially irreversible damage posed by exploratory drilling near the Hualapai Tribe's sacred spring, Ha'Kamwe'.
"The sacred Ha'Kamwe' spring has sustained the Hualapai people for generations, and its protection is critical for the Tribe," said Attorney General Mayes. "The failure to properly evaluate the impact of this project on such an important water source is unacceptable. The BLM must fulfill its obligations under NEPA and fully evaluate this project's impact on local water resources. I am proud to support the Hualapai Tribe's efforts to protect their precious cultural and water resources."
The amicus brief, filed with the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, argues that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) failed to comply with its legal obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Specifically, the brief argues that BLM did not conduct the required "hard look" at how the proposed lithium drilling project would impact local water resources, particularly Ha'Kamwe', a spring of cultural and environmental importance to the Hualapai Tribe. The Attorney General’s Office also argues that BLM relied on outdated and inapplicable data to minimize the project's risks to water resources, contrary to more recent scientific studies.
The amicus brief points to the potential for irreparable harm to Arizona's water resources if exploratory drilling is allowed to proceed without a more thorough review. The brief also urges the court to issue a preliminary injunction to halt drilling activities while the case is heard, ensuring that Arizona's water sources are not compromised.
This amicus brief reflects Attorney General Mayes' ongoing commitment to supporting Arizona's Tribal nations and protecting Arizona's water supplies. This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorney’s General Jennine Burns and Kristin Wrobel of the Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Unit.
 Australians Rush to Mine Lithium in Hualapai's Sacred Place, and a Navajo Enterprise is Leading the Desecration The Interior Department's BLM approved the Big Sandy lithium project in Hualapai's Ceremonial Place. The so-called 'Navajo Transitional Energy Company,' a Navajo Nation enterprise is carrying out the drilling operation for an Australian mining company. This is the latest attack on sacred places by Interior Sec. Deb Haaland's BLM. It is another fake green project destroying ceremonial places for lithium for batteries, under the name of green energy for profits for an Australian corporation. BLM approves lithium mine on June 6, 2024 https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-approves-lithium-exploration-project-arizona |
| Ha’Kamwe’ |
Translated into French by Christine Prat
SYDNEY, Australia -- While sipping wine at the Sydney Opera House, investors hear how much money they can make mining lithium in Arizona. The enthusiastic project manager is excited to tell them that Arizona loves mining, as can be seen with all its copper mines.
"They are a mining friendly state," says Paul Lloyd, managing director at Arizona Lithium, owned by Hawkstone Energy, in Perth, Australia.
"They are very pro-lithium production."
On the other side of the world, Hualapai are offering prayers at their sacred spring, Ha’Kamwe’ their sacred place for healing and rites of passage, including childbirth and coming-of-age ceremonies for young women. It has been their ceremonial place since time immemorial.
Not far away, in Farmington, New Mexico -- a bordertown with a long history of crimes against Native Americans -- a new epicenter of fake green energy projects emerges.
The tribally-owned Navajo Transitional Energy Company is in charge of the drilling operations for the Australian company -- getting the drilling permits, developing the mine, and poisoning the water -- just a stone's throw from Hualapai's sacred hot spring.
Vern Lund, the CEO, of the so-called "transitional energy company" signed a formal agreement with Australia's Arizona Lithium in March, which includes joining its board. Lund is already on the board of another mining company in Texas.
Continue reading at Censored News
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2024/04/australians-rush-to-mine-lithium-in.html
CALL TO ACTION TO PROTECT HA’KAMWE’
Tuesday, September 17, 9 am -- 4 pm
401 W Washington St. Phoenix, Arizona 85003
Ha’Kamwe’ is still being threatened by exploration drilling for the Big Sandy Lithium Project on behalf of Arizona Lithium Ltd. and Navajo Transitional Energy Co. The temporary restraining order that halted drilling expires on September 17 when the courts will rule if drilling will resume or not.
Gather outside the hearing at 9 am on September 17 to show solidarity with the Hualapai people. Join the call from land defenders to protect the people, the land, and Ha’kamwe’ on September 17!
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