Native American Tribes Now Have Power to Veto Hydropower Projects
Hydropower projects that want to take advantage of water resources on Native American lands now must get the approval of local tribes in order to move their projects forward.
The new policy was announced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as it rejected seven hydropower proposals eyeing different parts of Navajo Nation land, according to the Associated Press.
The new policy means that before serious planning can get underway, Native American officials must sign off on a project.
“It applies anywhere that a hydropower project might be proposed on tribal lands throughout the United States,” Aaron Paul, an attorney with Grand Canyon Trust, a conservation group, said.
“It is encouraging to see federal decision-makers honoring the trust responsibilities to Native American Tribes,” Nicole Horseherder,
