Diné projects hard hit by N.M. budget cutting

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson Wednesday signed a bill - SB182 - that cancels dozens of state capital outlay grants for projects on Navajo lands.

Statewide, he froze or stalled more than 2,500 projects in an effort to save more than $141 million for the deficit-ridden budget.

In February, the state Legislature agreed to save some $17 million in grants to Navajo Nation chapters, but millions of dollars for other Navajo projects allocated from 2005 to 2009 have been cancelled because the chapters never spent the money.

The Shiprock Chapter alone lost more than $1 million worth of grants.

Richardson pledged, however, that when things turn around for the state, these would be the first projects to be refunded.

"While these projects have merit, many are more than four years old or are under-funded and can't move forward," he said in explaining the cuts. "We cannot continue to carry forward this money for projects that are not creating jobs, are not providing critical infrastructure and are tying up scarce financial resources."

Late Wednesday afternoon, Richardson decided to veto plans to revert a number of grants issued by the state, including several that affect the Navajo Nation. By vetoing these items, the grants will continue to be in force and the chapters will be able to draw down from them.

Included in this list are: infrastructure for Rock Springs Chapter, improvements to Pine Haven Road in McKinley County, a bridge at Rock Springs, N.M., funding for the Ramah meat processing plant, parking lot improvements for Bááháálí Chapter, an office building at Red Lake, N.M., senior citizen center improvements at Upper Fruitland and Hogback, N.M., and a new road grader for Tsé Alnoazt'i'í (Sanostee) Chapter.

The Navajo projects that have been defunded include:

McKinley County

Bááháálí Chapter - parking complex ($75,000), chapter house improvements ($15,000), chapter house addition ($50,000), chapter house improvements ($50,000), powerline extensions ($7,200).

Baca - senior citizen construction ($50,000).

Casamero Lake - warehouse renovation ($45,000).

Chichiltah - improvements to senior citizen kitchen ($30,000), senior citizen construction ($50,000).

Church Rock - flood control project ($50,000).

Coyote Canyon - utility extension ($25,000).

Crownpoint - powerline extension (($60,000), senior citizen street lights ($10,000), wellness center construction ($97,000).

Navajo Technical College  - building construction ($714,450).

Diné College - education facility expansion ($222,750).

Iyanbito - Head Start Center ($85,000), chapter house renovation ($50,000), senior citizen center ($25,000), senior citizen parking lot ($32,000), sewage system improvements ($60,000).

Manuelito - veteran's hall ($35,000).

Mexican Springs - waterline extension ($40,000).

Nahodishgish - road construction ($107,375).

Pueblo Pintado - powerline extension ($80,000), sewer lagoon ($140,000).

Red Lake - community center improvements ($35,000), community center ($50,000).

Red Rock - powerline extensions ($100,000), senior citizen construction ($75,000).

Rock Springs - recreational facilities ($50,000), multi-building ($17,680).

Smith Lake - veterans' hall ($26,000).

Thoreau - first response building construction (($25,000), powerline extension ($30,000), health station improvements ($300,000), wastewater system $50,000).

Tohatchi - veterans' center (($25,000).

Torreon - powerline and house wiring ($15,927).

Tsayatoh - chapter house construction ($30,000), multipurpose center additions ($50,000).

Whitehorse Lake - waterline ($257,000), powerline ($34,011), senior citizen center ($100,000).

San Juan County

Beclabito - senior citizen construction ($297,000).

Diné College - library ($37,000).

Huerfano - powerline project ($50,000), powerline extension ($100,000), senior citizen construction ($100,000).

Lake Valley - chapter house improvements ($50,000), powerline extensions ($50,000).

Nenahnezad - electrical improvements ($20,000), road repairs ($50,000), road improvements ($100,000), veterans' park renovation ($50,000).

Newcomb - irrigation project ($166,000), powerline extensions ($237,000).

San Juan - first response building ($65,000), multi purpose building improvements ($50,000).

Shiprock - military cemetery improvements ($300,000), multipurpose facility ($183,470), home for women and children ($600,000).

Tsé Alnoazt'i'í - chapter house renovations ($60,000), senior citizen improvements ($50,000).

Tsé daa k'aan - child development building ($100,000).

Two Grey Hills - road improvement ($50,000), senior citizen center ($25,000.

White Rock - chapter parking lot improvements ($30,000).

Cibola County

Ramah - detention facility ($25,000), telephone lines ($25,000).

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