NNEPA/Water Quality Program Staff Receives An Award
Fred Johnson, Jr. Receives The Water Guardian Award
Fred Johnson, an Environmental Specialist with the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency’s Surface and Ground Water Protection Department received the “Water Guardian” award from the Organizers of the Tribal Water Caucus including Indigenous Environmental Network, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and Black Mesa Trust. The award was presented at the 2005 Arizona Water Summit held at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona from August 3 to 5, 2005.
Fred Johnson conducts educational outreach on surface and ground water protection to the Navajo people as well as to state and educational organizations in the southwest. Mr. Deb Misra the Department Director said “Fred is a relentless environmental educator who deserves this recognition and award.” He is one of several outstanding employees; he works diligently to teach everyone that protection of surface and underground water resources is important. His mantra is “water is life and it is sacred.”
Press Release: Submitted by Lillie Lane, PIO, NNEPA ***********************************************************************
Mr. Johnson's travels include stops in and around Navajo Nation schools, Chapter meetings, & senior citizen centers to provide public outreach on water quality issues. Fred has also provided public outreach on local radio stations. He would like to ask if you know what the most none-point source generating activities are:
a) Burning trash at home, creating foot trails, digging for house foundation, & creating parks.
b) Avoid car pooling, lack of mass transportation, lack of vegetation in arid climate, & invasive species (russian olive, etc.).
c) Federal budget cuts, sovereign immunity in Indian Country, increasing population on Navajo Nation, & eminent domain by government bodies.
d) Uncontrolled grazing, illegal dumping in waterways & waterbodies, excessive dirt roads, improper road drainage design, & construction activities.
e) Too many watersheds, too many Navajo Nation Chapters, socio-economic change on Navajoland, & land-base is over 17-million acres & not enough lakes.
Inquiries or requests for additional information regarding Fred's presentation can be directed to Water Quality Program, under the Surface & Groundwater Protection Department of NNEPA, P.O. Box 339, Window Rock, AZ. 86515, telephone (928)871-7690.
The Water Quality Program can also participate in community events with information booth; Fax (928)871-7599, or by email at navajoh2o@hotmail.com.
Fred, originally from Pinon, AZ., with his plaque & water vase.
Water sampling may involve collecting bugs which is an indicator to the quality of streams & rivers. Fred can explain with water-model display & presentation slides. Presentations can be given for all ages in Navajo and/or English. Video may be shown upon availability of time. Be on the look-out for NNEPA Information Booth at Navajo Nation area fairs (Answer to quiz: "D")