Now that COVID-19 restrictions have begun to lift, Office of Legacy Management (LM) staff recently took the opportunity to invite elected officials on a tour of the Shiprock, New Mexico, Disposal Site.
The last in-person tour of the site with Shiprock officials was September 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic caused lockdowns across the country and in the Navajo Nation. Before the pandemic, LM provided extensive outreach to the Shiprock community regarding projects that took place at the disposal site.
A key piece of LM’s outreach begins with collaboration and information sharing with the leadership of the Shiprock Chapter House, which is the governing body of the community. Even during the pandemic, LM worked diligently to provide written letters, and official written and verbal updates to leadership during its regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
“We appreciate the commitment from the Shiprock Chapter House leadership to maintain a collaborative spirit with the Office of Legacy Management,” said Site Manager Mark Kautsky. “To be able to meet with them in person allows us to deepen the relationship and understanding of their work as it relates to the Shiprock Disposal Site.”
Among topics discussed during the tour in July were a brief history of the site, along with details of current and upcoming projects. The in-person format allowed for a more personal exchange of ideas rather than a formal meeting in which a report was being provided.
The in-person connection also allowed for the team of LM and contracting staff to show different areas at the site where projects are scheduled. LM looks forward to welcoming leadership again in the future.
Original source can be found here.
