5 year land use plan update reviewed and approved
PINEDALE, NM - On November 18, 2025 the 25th Navajo Nation Council's Resources and Development Committee met at the Pinedale Chapter in a special session to review and approve the 2024 Pinedale Chapter Community Land Use Plan. The meeting begin with a traditional Dine prayer conducted by Pinedale Chapter Community Services Coordinator Titus Nez. After the wonderful prayer, everyone in attendance got a chance to introduce themselves with some notable points made by each person.
Immediately, after the approval of the agenda the committee gave the presenters nearly 25 minutes to present the community land use plan. Honorable Council Delegate Steven Arviso (Churchrock, Iyanbito, Mariano Lake, Pinedale, Smith Lake, and Thoreau) began by welcoming the committee and the intent of the resolution. He then gave time to Pinedale Chapter Community Services Coordinator Titus Nez, who gave brief introductions on the plan and elaborated on the true intent of the plan. He mentioned that the plan includes a paper of a township, similar to Kayenta Township and that the Pinedale community should explore the idea of becoming a local municipality.
Members of the Resources and Development Committee, Honorable Otto Tso (Tonaaneezdizi) spoke about the important of speaking the Navajo language and the sacred duties that the chapter has to development. The Honorable Ricky Nez (T’iistoh Sikaad, Nenahnezad, Upper Fruitland, Tse’ Daa’ Kaan, Newcomb, San Juan) talked about abandon mines and if that was included in the plan. Titus Nez responded and stated that there are abandon mines within the area, but those sites are not within the Pinedale community, however they are in support of clean-up and remediating them. The Honorable Casey Allen Johnson (Cameron, Coalmine Canyon, Birdsprings, Leupp, Tolani Lake) was interested to hear more about the Ft. Wingate extension. Titus Nez responded that he is a registered voter of the Churchrock Chapter, and at that time he formed a group with Bahaali and Iyanbito Chapters, respectively, and advocated for the full return of the Ft. Wingate Military base back to Navajo, instead the Navajo Nation Council sold them out and gave in to the Zuni Pueblo. Titus mentioned that there are economic opportunities available along this corridor and there needs to be something done to get it started. He mentioned in the plan, one of their goals is to meet with the surrounding chapters to create a regional business hub, its time we tap into that base and build a market.
The Committee approved and re-certified the plan with the committee in the majority. The Committee served a traditional Navajo meal after that included steam corn stew, frybread, mutton ribs, Navajo cake, blue corn tamale, pie, and cake. ##