The Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR) is an independent agency responsible for assisting Navajo and Hopi Indians affected by the relocation that Congress mandated in 1974 for members of the tribes who were living on each other's land. The original 5-year timeframe for the relocation process was not met, and ONHIR efforts continue today.
At the request of the House Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, we evaluated ONHIR operations to determine (1) the status of the relocation efforts, and (2) how ONHIR is using its appropriated funds.
Based on our evaluation, we concluded that it will not be possible for ONHIR to complete its relocation work and cease operations in the near future without legislative changes, an increase in annual appropriations, or both. Our report provides background on the 1974 law that imposed the relocation (the Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act), as well as up-to-date information on the status of ONHIR's relocation activities and the work that remains to be completed. We have provided four suggestions that the subcommittee may want to consider in determining what actions, if any, should be taken to expedite Navajo and Hopi relocation activities.