DURANGO — The Environmental Protection Agency announced late Wednesday water quality in the San Juan River has returned to levels recorded before
Navajo Nation leaders, the EPA says, indicated they might lift their bans on using the San Juan for agriculture as soon as this weekend, according to a news release.
“EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye had a productive phone conversation on (Wednesday) to review water quality data,” the release said.
During that call, according to the release, it was agreed EPA water deliveries to the tribe for agriculture use would end Friday.
Navajo officials have chastised the EPA since the agency spilled contaminated water from the Gold King Mine near Silverton on Aug. 5. Tribal leaders said the aftermath of the disaster left their people since use of the San Juan for agricultural purposes was banned.
Many Navajo farmers said their crops died in the disaster’s wake.
The contamination left the Navajo, already mistrustful of the federal government, and seeking damages. The tribe’s leaders have against the agency.
There was no comment late Wednesday from the Navajo Nation on the EPA’s release.
“EPA will work closely with the Navajo Nation in the coming weeks to ensure that a long-term monitoring plan for the San Juan River is implemented,” the release said. “In addition, EPA is positioned to provide technical assistance in flushing irrigation ditches on the Navajo Nation.”
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul
