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<br />banking institutions are certainly prerequisites. How can we develop <br />these resources when the Indian tribes are faced with very basic <br />needs, such as food, health, and housing? I am involved with our <br />domestic water system at home, which is contaminated by arsenic, <br />boron, manganese, lead, iron, nitrates and sulfides. There is no <br />money for qualified operators to maintain our system. Also, our <br />unemployment rate is well above 60%. Thus, our water rights continue <br />to be whittled away and going downstream to urban centers to water <br />Kentucky bluegrass. <br /> <br />Question: I have a question regarding development of water in the <br />villages and towns on tribal lands. I have frequently observed that <br />citizens have to haul their water within the villages, as well as out <br />into the more rural areas. I am wondering what plans you have for <br />developing water for domestic uses? <br /> <br />Arthur: In reference to the Navajo, you may have read in the news, <br />Anita, that there is a discussion with the City of Gallup to draw some <br />water down. Gallup is situated approximately 100 miles from the <br />irrigation proj ect. There is a discussion that water would be <br />delivered in that direction. Navajos are studying the alternatives, <br />as far as the routes, that are involved. There are many small <br />communities along the way that are being considered from that <br />standpoint. In the northern portion, where I am from, our domestic <br />water is supplied by the City of Farmington. There is tremendous <br />pressure on that system. People within the tribe are now studying <br />alternatives as to where and how they could develop domestic water. <br />It is still not unusual, with the Navajos, to hear of people hauling <br />water many miles. Years ago, we did so by wagon. Now we haul water <br />in the back of shitty trucks. <br /> <br />54 <br />