BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS NAVAJO REGION Report to the 24th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL Route N27 – Ganado to Nazlini, Arizona; Fence Repair and Cattle Guard Clean Out Bartholomew Stevens Navajo Regional Director Post Office Box 1060 Gallup, New Mexico 87305 (505) 863-8314 October 19, 2020 1 Table of Contents Navajo Regional Director’s Report ................................................................................................ 3 Office_of_Tribal Government Services .......................................................................................... 4 Federal Indian Minerals Office ....................................................................................................... 4 Administrative and Management Support ...................................................................................... 6 Branch of Acquisition Operations .................................................................................................. 6 Branch of Property .......................................................................................................................... 6 Branch of Budget Management ...................................................................................................... 7 Trust Services.................................................................................................................................. 8 Branch of Natural Resources .......................................................................................................... 8 Fort Defiance Agency ............................................................................................................... 9 Chinle Agency ........................................................................................................................ 10 Navajo Partitioned Lands ........................................................................................................ 11 Shiprock Agency ..................................................................................................................... 14 Western Navajo Agency ......................................................................................................... 15 Branch of Wildland Fire Management ......................................................................................... 16 Branch of Forestry ........................................................................................................................ 19 Branch of Engineering .................................................................................................................. 21 Navajo Indian Irrigation Program (NIIP) ..................................................................................... 25 Branch of Real Estate Services ..................................................................................................... 26 Chinle Agency ........................................................................................................................ 25 Fort Defiance Agency ............................................................................................................. 30 Shiprock Agency ..................................................................................................................... 30 Western Navajo Agency ......................................................................................................... 30 Branch of Probate ......................................................................................................................... 32 Indian Services .............................................................................................................................. 33 Branch of Indian Self-Determination............................................................................................ 33 Awarding Official Technical Representative (AOTR) ................................................................. 34 Tribal (Census) Enrollment ................................................................................................... 34 Tribal Courts .......................................................................................................................... 34 Higher Education ................................................................................................................... 35 Human Services ..................................................................................................................... 35 Fish and Wildlife Management ............................................................................................. 36 Housing Services ................................................................................................................... 37 Diné Bi Olta School Board Association (DBOSBA) ............................................................ 37 Rock Point Community School (RPCS), .............................................................................. 37 Johnson O’Malley Program (JOM), ...................................................................................... 37 Branch of Environmental Management ........................................................................................ 38 Branch of Safety ........................................................................................................................... 39 Branch of Facility Management .................................................................................................... 40 Branch of Transportation .............................................................................................................. 41 Farmington Field Office ......................................................................................................... 41 New Lands Field Office (Nahata Dzil) ................................................................................... 43 Shiprock Agency ..................................................................................................................... 44 Western Navajo Agency ......................................................................................................... 46 Chinle Agency ........................................................................................................................ 48 Ft. Defiance ............................................................................................................................. 50 2 Eastern Navajo Agency (ENA) ..................................................................................................... 53 Branch of Transportation ....................................................................................................... 53 Branch of Real Estate Services .............................................................................................. 54 Branch of Probate and Estate Services ................................................................................. 56 Branch of Natural Resources ................................................................................................. 57 Appendices: Status Reports A. Dear Tribal Leader Letter B. News Release: http://www.bia.gov/press-releases 3 NAVAJO REGIONAL DIRECTOR COMMENTS The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Navajo Regional Office (NRO) has been able to complete necessary work to enable the Navajo Nation (NN) to move forward critical projects requiring federal action. The current administration at the BIA NRO has successfully put in place processes to better meet the request brought forward for action. The priority for the BIA has been to insure that the mission of Indian Affairs is solidly in place to continue to complete all work related to the Trust responsibility during this unique time. The NR remains on maximum telework that continues to meet these requirements as the BIA continues to recognize the challenges during this crisis. The BIA has been able to produce high quality work in spite of the challenges we are all maneuvering. We have been able to successfully combat wild land fire, water infrastructure approval processes, disperse funds, actively participate in all levels of engagement with the NN leaders, program directors, managers, and support staff from all three branches of the NN government. We remain committed to providing the highest obtainable service to address the requests of the NN. We continue to telework and meet with all levels within the NN to provide the necessary information to keep the mission moving forward. I am confident on with the team approach to improve productivity by allowing all BIA managers to be the effective leaders that is expected at the NRO. The critical work we all complete is not only crucial to our future success, but to also that of the NN and the communities we all serve. The teams remain in place to enable all to successfully serve in the manner of true stewardship. We continue to address work associated with required federal actions to permit the use of effective leadership responsibilities and improve accountability in every way. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Regional Office remains committed to the work and my office continues to be available to all tribal leaders to address all issues and concerns. I can be reached by email at [email protected] or by cell phone at (505) 870-0011 to address any relevant issues and address concerns that are important to the NN. Thank you, Bartholomew Stevens, Regional Director Navajo Region, BIA 4 OFFICE OF TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES The Office of Tribal Government Services (OTGS)