Navajo Nation President Poised To OK River Water For Crops

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Federal officials say the quality of San Juan River water on the Navajo Nation has returned to what it was before a spill at a Colorado gold mine sent toxic sludge into the waterway.

The U.S. Environmental Protection agency says that's based on a review of data collected over a week near Hogback, New Mexico.

Tribal spokesman Mihio Manus said Thursday that President Russell Begaye is considering lifting the tribe's advisory against using river water for irrigation on Saturday. Begaye is planning to meet Thursday with farmers in Shiprock to discuss how to flush irrigation canals.

The EPA says it will provide technical assistance.

Manus says the tribe has completed its own testing of the San Juan River but did not immediately release the results.