9th Circuit hears Medicine Lake sacred site case again
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the Medicine Lake sacred site case on March 10.

A coalition led by the Pit River Tribe wants to stop Calpine Corporation from developing a geothermal plant on federal forest land in California. The plaintiffs fear the project will harm Medicine Lake, which the Pit River, Modoc, Shasta, Karuk and Wintun tribes use for healing powers and to seek spiritual guidance.

In November 2006, the 9th Circuit ruled that the Bush administration extended leases for the plant without taking a "hard look" at the impacts of development. A federal judge sent the issue to the government for further review but the plaintiffs contend the decision didn't comply with the 2006 ruling.

Get the Story:
Medicine Lake geothermal leases questioned in appeal (The Siskiyou Daily News 3/16)

Oral Arguments:
Pit River Tribe v. USFS, No. 09-15385

Related Stories:
California tribes block development near sacred site (11/7)