Navajo Nation Votes Down Controversial Hotel and Tram Project at Grand Canyon

[Judi Lynn]

Source: NBC News

NOV 1 2017, 7:20 PM ET
by CHIARA SOTTILE



After years of controversy, the Navajo Nation rejected plans to build a 420-acre tourist attraction and gondola tram ride on the undeveloped east rim of the Grand Canyon — an area sacred to the Navajo Nation.

In a special session of the Navajo Nation Council on Tuesday, the Council voted against the so-called Grand Canyon Escalade Project that would have drawn an estimated 5 million annual tourists to the Grand Canyon National Park, and which would have cost the Navajo Nation $65 million to build roads and other infrastructure.

The proposed site for the attraction was known as "the confluence," where the Colorado River meets the Little Colorado River on the canyon's east side. Plans proposed by developers Confluence Partners LLC included an IMAX theater, retail shops, hotels, and a gondola tram ride that would take visitors 1.6 miles to the canyon floor in ten minutes.

The project would have been on Navajo land and the developer was waiting for approval before proceeding, and Tuesday's vote means the company does not have permission from the Naajo Nation. Confluence Partners did not respond to multiple requests for comment Wednesday.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/navajo-nation-votes-down-controversial-hotel-tram-project-grand-canyon-n816666

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[Achilleaze]

1. Excellent!

[riversedge]

2. There is a short video at the link showing a mock up of the proposed development

[janx]

8. YES. Important to watch.

The Navajo need money badly but are not willing to succumb to this.

[notdarkyet]

17. They were one of the last hold outs to get a casino off i40 east of Flagstaff

Called twin arrows. They didn't want to do that and I'm sure really don't want to be overwhelmed by millions. They live without water and electricity so they can have nature and solitude. The confluence is a beautiful and very sacred spot.

[janx]

18. I know, but at what cost to them?

The poverty is unbelievable. It's not easy and leads to hard competition and crime. There must be a better way for them--maybe ecotourism *outside* of their sacred spaces. ? There are places here in NM that I feel strongly about in the same way.

[sweetloukillbot]

27. The story I heard this morning made it seem less about the ecological damage

And more about the fact that it didn't bring enough money to the tribe - that there were too many concessions to make it worthwhile.

[Mendocino]

3. Good!

I'm tired of the disneyation of our natural wonders. Nice photo of the Little Colorado, the water really is that aqua color.

[ailsagirl]

4. GOOD!!!

[blueinredohio]

5. Good for them shows they're not interested in the almighty dollar

[janx]

9. And there is much poverty in the Navajo Nation.

It's extreme, which makes this decision even more important.

[janx]

22. I sound like a grade school teacher in this post, I know...

but I've seen it.

[2naSalit]

6. Good news!! nt

[coolsandy]

7. Good for them!

[PatrickforO]

10. Good. We don't need a giant resort in Grand Canyon.

Sacred space is more important than lining some capitalist's pocket with profits.

Human life is more important than profit.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Great news. Mother Nature can't be outdone.

[LisaM]

12. Exactly.

What kind of beggared imagination would someone have to have to want an IMAX at the Grand Canyon?

[notdarkyet]

19. There's one in Tuscan close to the main entrance. Been there at least twenty five years.

[Duppers]

13. Hallelujah!

Honoring their heritage and nature.

[Hekate]

14. Good news

[DemoTex]

15. I spend a lot of time with the Navajo and Hopi ..

I love their land. But I get permits before I do photography there. I am not at all surprised about this decision. But many more battles loom, especially about coal. And I fear for the land between Page and Tuba City, in general, and Coal Mine Canyon in particular.

Coal Mine Canyon (Navajo Nation sanctioned shoot in May, 2017, by DemoTex):





And my new Coal Mine Canyon sweatshirt (NFS):

BACK


Front:

[Judi Lynn]

23. You can't imagine how beautiful those 2 images are to someone who's never seen the area.

They are amazing.

Thank you, so much.

[Bayard]

24. Gorgeous

Thanks so much for posting these, and your experience.

[mountain grammy]

16. Thank goodness!

[osaMABUSh]

20. Awesome! I've been following this a long time

I am relieved that the Grand Canyon will not be tarnished with a Disney like theme park. Earlier this year (February) I hiked down to the bottom and stayed at the Phantom Ranch. A truly spiritual trek! I plan on another hike in April to PR and also a Havasupai Falls trip in Sept.

I realize that the site of the proposed Tram was at the other end (East) of the Canyon than where I have been but just the thought of it sickened me. The solitude and the beauty of this place will remain eternal. The environmental nightmare with the construction and throngs of people has been avoided and this vote ensures that one still actually has to work (i.e., hike) to get to there and can't just buy a ride to the bottom for a 'drive-by' tourist thrill.

[bluestarone]

21. great news but

i just hope this is the end of it! Never know with tRump people

[Bayard]

25. One of my concerns

The article says this would have been on Navajo land. I'm wondering if it is actually owned by the tribe, or is tied up with the BLM? If that is the case, I'm afraid their vote will not matter much. We know the current government attitude toward what is sacred to other people.

[burrowowl]

26. YES!!!!!!!