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Bill to build Grand Canyon tram goes before Navajo lawmakers

FILE - This Aug. 29, 2002 file photo, shows the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon National Park, in Arizona. A new report by a federal watchdog outlines a history of sexual harassment on river rafting trips run by Grand Canyon National Park. The report obtained by The Associated Press comes after 13 current and former park employees filed a complaint in 2014 saying women had been abused. It’s set to be released later Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Inspector General. (AP Photo/Brian Witte, File)

Window Rock, Ariz. • Navajo Nation lawmakers are scheduled to take up legislation to build an aerial tram into the Grand Canyon next week.

Navajo Nation Council spokesman Jared Touchin says the Grand Canyon Escalade is the only item on Tuesday's special session agenda so far.

The legislation introduced last year has struggled to gain widespread support.

Developers say the project would revitalize the region's economy. Opponents say it would desecrate the area.

The tram would carry visitors from the Grand Canyon's eastern edge 3,200 feet down to the Colorado River in 10 minutes.

The Navajo Nation would have to invest $65 million to start the project.

The full Tribal Council has not voted on the project. Approval requires a two-thirds vote of lawmakers meeting in Window Rock.