The Obama administration disappointed tribes last year when it asked the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear a sacred site case involving the sacred San Francisco Peaks in Arizona.

The court eventually turned down the case, allowing the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort to use reclaimed sewage to make snow in the Coconino National Forest. But the administration is withholding approval of the project in the hopes of reaching a compromise with the developers and tribes.

The compromise apparently involves the use of a different water source -- not reclaimed sewage -- to make snow at the resort. And the administration says the Snowbowl can use taxpayer funds to pay for the project.

The deal has angered Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona). They say the Department of Agriculture should approve the Snowbowl project "immediately" but they also say it shouldn't involve federal funds.

Get the Story:
Secret Snowbowl talks break open (The Arizona Daily Sun 3/9)

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

Related Stories:
McCain backs ski resort over tribes on sacred site (11/24)
Navajo Nation Council delays ski resort measure (10/23)
New case filed over sacred San Francisco Peaks (09/21)
Editorial: Money wins over sacred site in Arizona (06/22)
Cartoon: Real tears, fake snow at sacred site (6/19)
Editorial: Fake snow alright at sacred peaks (6/16)
Blog: No end to fight over San Francisco Peaks (6/15)
Tribes weigh next step in sacred site battle (6/9)
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)