The Coconino National Forest in Arizona is proposing to allow artificial snowmaking in the sacred San Francisco Peaks in Arizona.

Several tribes, including the Hopi and Navajo, oppose snowmaking. The Hopi Tribe considers it sacrilegious to bring treated wastewater into the peaks they use for prayers and ceremonies.

The U.S. Forest Service released a draft environmental impact statement to allow the operators of Arizona Snowbowl, a ski resort, to make the snow. There will be a 60-day comment period.

Get the Story:
Draft plan backs Snowbowl upgrade (The Arizona Sun 2/3)

Relevant Documents:
Draft EIS

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

Related Stories:
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)