Navajos want to run river trips at Grand Canyon

The Navajo Nation is lobbying for one of its businessmen to run coveted river trips through the Grand Canyon. With only one American Indian tribe currently doing so, the director of the Navajo Nation's Division of Economic Development says its time to open the door to others. Allan Begay said the Navajo Nation would like for the venture to begin soon, but Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Steve Martin said that's unlikely. The National Park Service tightly controls the number of people who can set out on the river and a management plan isn't up for review. The 2006 management plan for the Colorado River was the result of years of talks among scientists, National Park Service managers and other professionals, with input from tour operators, Indian tribes and the public. Under the plan, 24,567 people on commercial and noncommercial trips are allowed to travel down the Colorado River each year. Those seeking to raft the river in private boats are selected through a computerized lottery system and are limited to one trip per year...Fresno Bee