Members of several tribes in the Southwest have formed a group to protest approval of snowmaking in the sacred San Francisco Peaks.

The Save the Peaks Coalition held a protest in Flagstaff last Friday. Representatives of the Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai, Yavapai-Apache and other tribes said the use of reclaimed wastewater in the peaks is sacrilegious.

Tribes consider the peaks to be the home of important spiritual figures. Tribal members go to the peaks to collect medicine and hold ceremonies. A local business leader compared the mountains to a "pharmacy" where plants and other items are obtained.

Get the Story:
Voices Decry Wastewater On Holy Mountain (The Gallup Independent 2/17)

Relevant Documents:
Draft EIS

Relevant Links:
Coconino National Forest - http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/index.shtml

Related Stories:
Tribes to fight snowmaking in sacred Ariz. peaks (02/03)
Forest Service delays report on ski area expansion (12/02)
Hopi Tribe opposing snowmaking in sacred peaks (11/20)
Ski area on sacred mountain expanding (10/15)