Letter to Barack Obama, President of The United States - Navajo Nation Emergency Declaration

Letter

Dear President Obama:

We respectfully request that you take prompt action on Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye's request for a major disaster declaration for flooding that occurred in Shiprock, Navajo Nation as a result of a monsoonal burst of rainfall on August 3rd through 5th, 2016.

This rainstorm caused severe flooding and prompted evacuation of the primary flood area in Shiprock where the flood waters displaced boulders, trees, fences, and other like objects and carried them into and up against houses and obstructed local roads. Of the houses that were destroyed by the flooding, several have been demolished and about 50% of the resulting debris has been removed to date. The Navajo Nation's disaster response capacity was already taxed in this area due to the Gold King Mine spill's impact on the Shiprock community.

Native communities deserve full and complete protection of their resources, land, and livelihoods. Recovering from this incident will require a full and coordinated approach. We appreciate your past responsiveness to the State of New Mexico when our communities have sought federal disaster assistance, and thank you for your attention to this important issue.