Courts consider two lawsuits over snowmaking at sacred site

Tuesday, November 22, 2011  

Two lawsuits that challenge the use of reclaimed sewage in the sacred San Francisco Peaks are making their way through the state and federal court systems.

On Monday, the Coconino County Court will hear a lawsuit filed by the Hopi Tribe. The tribe is suing the city of Flagstaff, which has agreed to provide reclaimed wastewater for the Arizona Snowbowl.

On January 9, 2012, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear a lawsuit filed by the Save the Peaks Coalition and individual citizens. They say the U.S. Forest Service failed to consider the health impacts of using reclaimed sewage in the peaks.

The Snowbowl is located within the Coconino National Forest. It plans to use the reclaimed wastewater to make snow.

Get the Story:
Snowbowl presses on amid suits (The Arizona Daily Sun 11/22)

Related Stories:
BBC: Hopi Tribe battles reclaimed sewage at sacred peaks (10/20)
Editorial: Hopi Tribe lawsuit over fake snow seems misguided (9/1)
Earth 911: Skiing on reclaimed wastewater -- gross or green? (8/30)
Uprising: Hopi Tribe fights to keep wastewater off sacred site (8/29)
Fast Company: Hopi Tribe fights bid for fake snow at sacred site (8/25)
Hopi Tribe files lawsuit to block use of wastewater at sacred site (8/24)