Tribes weigh next step in sacred site battle
After being turned away by the U.S. Supreme Court, tribes in the Southwest weighed their next move in their battle to protect the sacred San Francisco Peaks of Arizona.

The tribes might ask Congress to take action or ask President Barack Obama to intervene. But the operator of a ski restore in the peaks vowed a strong defense.

"We'll just deal with everything they come up with." Eric Borowsky, the majority owner of the Arizona Snowbowl, told The Arizona Republic.

The U.S. Forest Service approved the Snowbowl's plan to use reclaimed wastewater to make snow. Tribes said the presence of the sewage will desecrate the peaks.

Tribes could ask Congress to amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to protect their rights or ask Obama to address the issue.

Get the Story:
Tribes lose Snowbowl battle (The Arizona Republic 6/9)
High Court: Treated sewage OK at Snowbowl (Capitol Media Services 6/8)
Court steers clear of Ariz. ski resort dispute (AP 6/8)

Supreme Court Briefs:
Department of Justice | Arizona Snowbowl | Navajo Nation/Tribes

9th Circuit Decision:
Navajo Nation v. US Forest Service (August 8, 2008)

Related Stories:
Supreme Court declines to hear sacred site case (6/8)
Supreme Court to consider sacred site case (6/1)
USDA official can't comment on sacred site case (4/29)
Navajo Nation seeks to resolve sacred site case (4/28)
Obama response awaited in sacred site case (3/23)
Tribes ask Supreme Court to hear sacred site case (1/6)
Tribes weigh next move in sacred site case (10/23)
Indian religious rights cases on high court's horizon (10/21)
9th Circuit delays ruling in sacred site case (10/06)
Interview: Attorney in San Francisco Peaks case (8/22)
Appeals court reverses course on sacred site (8/12)
9th Circuit issues rulings on sacred site, compacts (8/8)