Environment
Tribes press sacred site case before 9th Circuit


The Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and the Hualapai Tribe will go before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals today to seek protection of the sacred San Francisco Peaks in Arizona.

The Navajo Nation will share oral argument time with the Hopi and the Hualapai. The tribes say a ski resort's plan to use wastewater to make snow will desecrate the peaks.

The U.S. Forest Service approve the Arizona Snowbowl resort's expansion plan. A federal judge said the decision does not infringe on the tribes' religious rights.

The tribes could take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if the 9th Circuit rules against them.

Get the Story:
Navajo attorney has 8 minutes to argue for peaks protection (The Farmington Daily Times 9/14)

Appeals Court Documents:
Opening Brief [Word DOC] | Reply Brief [Word DOC]

Lower Court Decision:
Navajo Nation v. US Forest Service (January 11, 2006)

Approval Documents:
Final Environmental Impact Statement for Arizona Snowbowl Facilities Improvement | Forest Service Approves Snowmaking at Arizona Snowbowl

Relevant Links:
Save the Peaks Coalition - http://www.savethepeaks.org
Coconino National Forest - http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/index.shtml

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