From Deseret News archives:

Arizona tribes call ski resort plans 'cultural genocide'

Published: Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 12:06 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
SAN FRANCISCO — Attorneys for Southwestern Indian tribes urged a federal appeals court last week to block the proposed expansion of an Arizona ski resort they say already desecrates land they hold sacred and sullies their religious beliefs.

During the 70-minute hearing Thursday, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals appeared skeptical about allowing Arizona Snowbowl to become the nation's first ski resort to use 100 percent reclaimed water to make snow.

A Hualapai tribe attorney argued that spraying snow made from treated sewage on the peaks, which they believe are spiritually significant, "is like putting a contaminated needle in your body containing poison."

Outside the hearing, dozens of American Indians, some wearing traditional garb, burned sage, drummed, chanted and held signs that read "Save the Peaks." Inside, the courtroom was filled to capacity, mostly with Indians, many of whom had traveled from Arizona to attend the hearing.

"Their plans to make snow, if allowed, would be cultural genocide," Kelvin Long, a Navajo who lives in Flagstaff, Ariz., said as he chanted here in front of the ornate courthouse.

The tribes say Snowbowl is an affront to their religion and its existence may have caused the Sept. 11 attacks and other universal calamities. The resort, one of two in the state, might go out of business because of a lack of snowfall.

Story continues below
The 777-acre resort rests on the western flank of the San Francisco Peaks that have spiritual and religious meaning to 13 tribes in the Southwest.

The resort wants to add a fifth lift, spray man-made snow and tear down and groom about 100 acres of forest to attract more skiers and increase the number of skiing days. U.S. District Judge Paul Rosenblatt of Phoenix ruled in January the tribes "failed to present any objective evidence that their exercise of religion will be impacted by the Snowbowl upgrades."

The tribes appealed to a three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based appeals court, which repeatedly questioned the proposal to spread snow created from treated wastewater.

Janice Schneider, a lawyer for the resort, told the court there would be 82 signs warning skiers the snow is generated from "reclaimed water."

But Judge William Fletcher wondered whether skiers would understand "that reclaimed water is treated sewage."

Fletcher and Judge Johnnie Rawlinson were doubtful because there aren't studies determining how the snow would affect skiers, although there are plenty of studies showing the snow would not harm the environment.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Matt York, Associated Press

Skiers at the Arizona Snowbowl wait in line for the ski lift. Several American Indian tribes say the resort desecrates their land.

previousnext

Latest comments

Nothing proposed would keep young adults from learning of the reality of sex,...

Utes pound winless Lobos

the only "decent" team we played we lost to? I guess that Air Force isn't a...

I am watching the game again, and it is awesome!!!

Utes pound winless Lobos

I can't help but laugh inside when I read comments from YBU/TCU fans who...

(from the independant) I like Dennis Miller.... and Bill Maher, although I...

As a BYU alumnus, I can't justify to myself ever donating another dollar to...

Not a chance. Don't get me wrong they are both studs, but if Asiata wasn't...

Titan Fan, sorry that some of your best players got hurt. I hope they...

Utahns in House oppose reform bill

So sad how fear based so many are.

Will the Jazz even make the playoffs this year. The way they are playing it...

Advertisements
Advertisement