The National Science Foundation has voluntarily halted work on a telescope project at the sacred Kitt Peaks in response to a lawsuit by the Tohono O'odham Nation in Arizona.

The lawsuit claimed the Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution failed to seek the tribe's approval for the construction of four telescopes. The tribe says the project will destroy the spiritual nature of Kitt Peak.

The Foundation is now back at "square one" and will work closely with the tribe on future plans for the $13 million project, The Arizona Daily Star reported. The Foundation has a lease with the tribe for the land in question.

Get the Story:
Sudden stop (The Arizona Daily Star 6/17)

Relevant Links:
National Science Foundation - http://www.nsf.gov

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