PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Developments in Kaibab Village

In late June 1974, the Tribe's water well in Kaibab Village failed - the only source of water for the community. The Tribe invoked Clause 13 of the 1972 Memorandum of Agreement with the National Park Service that provided that "the Tribe at its own cost and expense may install a pipeline connecting the water well lines with the Kaibab Village for emergency purposes only." On June 21, 1974, the Tribe connected to the main water line and relied on the Park Service well for the rest of the summer. [2171] By September 1974, the Indian Health Service had completed preliminary design of a new water source and storage system for 12 proposed housing units to be erected in Kaibab. [2172] Superintendent Bob Heyder advised Tribal Chairman Bill Tom that since the emergency connection was above ground and subject to freezing, the Park Service would be able to continue supplying water only until the onset of winter. [2173] On September 30, 1974, the Tribe's well was put back into service and reliance on the Park Service's well ended. The monument provided a total of 1,510,200 gallons of water, which was metered and chlorinated. As stipulated in the 1972 water agreement, the Tribe was billed $386.01 for the cost of water production. [2174]

In 1975 it was determined that the Tribe's well was no longer adequate for its needs. Drilling operations for a new well commenced in the area of the Park Service's well. On May 15, Tracy informed Heyder that one well was drilled about 1,300 feet northeast of the Park Service well to a depth of 290 feet. No water was found and the site was abandoned. As of mid-May a second well was being drilled about 700 feet southwest of the Park Service well. Drilling was suspended at a depth of 80 feet to make repairs to the drilling rig. The driller advised Tracy at that point that he didn't think water would be found at that site and he intended to suggest drilling next beside the Park Service well, as it was a proven water source. Tracy recognized the danger. He suggested in a report to Heyder that the Park Service offer to supply water to Kaibab Village rather than see its system jeopardized by another nearby well. The well log indicated that the current pump was able to produce 250 gallons per minute with no difficulty, Tracy wrote. Under those circumstances, a completely new water agreement would be required with the Tribe. [2175] As it turned out, the Tribe drilled a new well near the monument well in 1980 (see Part XII).