Hopi Tribe files lawsuit to block use of wastewater at sacred site

Wednesday, August 24, 2011  

The Hopi Tribe filed suit against the city of Flagstaff, Arizona, to prevent the desecration of the sacred San Francisco Peaks.

The city entered in a contract to sell reclaimed wastewater to the Arizona Snowbowl, a ski resort in the peaks. The tribe's lawsuit, which was filed in state court, says the deal violates state and city law, poses a risk to health and public safety and infringes on its water rights.

The city has agreed to sell up to 1.5 million gallons of reclaimed sewage daily to the Snowbowl from November through February, The Arizona Daily Sun reported. The wastewater will be used to make fake snow.

The Snowbowl is located in the Coconino National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service approved the snowmaking plan over the objections of numerous tribes.

Get the Story:
Hopi Tribe sues Flagstaff over snowmaking (The Arizona Daily Sun 8/24)