Ruling awaited on snowmaking in sacred peaks

Thursday, February 1, 2007  

A ski resort in the sacred San Francisco Peaks in Arizona is waiting on a ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals before expanding its facility.

The Arizona Snowbowl wants to use reclaimed wastewater to make snow. But tribes say that will desecrate the peaks, where sacred deities live and where tribal members go to hold ceremonies, pray and gather medicinal herbs and plants.

The U.S. Forest Service approved Snowbowl's expansion. Without the plan, the resort says it will sell the facility.

Tribes sued the government but lost at the district court level. Oral arguments before the 9th Circuit were held last September.

Get the Story:
Resort waits for ruling on snowmaking (The Arizona Republic 2/1)

Listen to Oral Arguments:
Navajo Nation v. Forest Service (September 14, 2006)

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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