Big Canyon Dam permit denied

We are so excited to share that in April 2024, the Federal government canceled the Big Canyon Dam permit application that threatened the Little Colorado River and Confluence of the Colorado River. It was a huge step in honoring tribal sovereignty and protecting a culturally significant area. 

In March, the Navajo Nation wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) stating their opposition to this project on Navajo Nation lands. FERC said in their decision, “…because the proposed project would be located entirely on Navajo Nation land and the Nation has stated that it opposes issuance of the permit, we deny the
application.”

The Big Canyon Dam project was originally proposed in 2019 and was awaiting its preliminary permit. Impacted tribes and communities were not consulted on the project. Many Native community members, organizations like Save the Confluence, and tribal nations opposed the project that would use billions of gallons of groundwater to generate electricity for far-away cities. 

Congratulations to the many communities, leaders, Nations, Chapters, and organizations who stood up for the Confluence and Little Colorado River!