Navajo President Ben Shelly said a proposed resort on the Grand Canyon east rim “is not going to happen” Thursday night at a fund-raiser event in Tuba City.

Shelly, who has not officially announced a re-election bid for Navajo president, had met with people during a $30- per- plate dinner at the Hogan Restaurant. The president spoke about the Grand Canyon Escalade, which was part of three topics he mentioned.

Shelly, who spoke in the Navajo Language, said the Escalade won’t happen because it will launch lawsuits. The president did not say who would sue or state the reasons for the lawsuits.

Though the President’s office has not issued an official statement about Thursday’s development, he privately encouraged Escalade opponents to work on preserving the area. He also said to mark off areas the group did not want developed.

Revisit Save the Confluence later for witness accounts, a recording of Shelly’s talk and photos.