The Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and Native environmentalists plan to appeal a federal judge's ruling that allows snowmaking in the sacred San Francisco Peaks.

"It's a slap in the face for the Navajo Nation," said Navajo Nation Council Delegate Wallace Charley in a statement, after the judge ruled that the use of reclaimed water would not infringe on tribal religious rights.

Environmentalists also said they would pursue other means to stop the Arizona Snowbowl, a ski resort, from moving forward with its plans. They said they would try to get the city of Flagstaff to end its contract with the Snowbowl and try to block construction of a water pipeline to the resort.

In the 62-page decision [PDF], U.S. District Judge Paul Rosenblatt said the U.S. Forest Service did not break the law in allowing the snowmaking. The Snowbowl is located on national forest land.

Get the Story:
Navajo Nation to appeal Peaks case Judge rules against tribe (The Farmington Daily Times 1/13)
Snowmaking opponents now targeting city council (The Arizona Daily Sun 1/13)
Court allows wastewater-snow on sacred Navajo land (Reuters 1/13)
Judge rules in favor of FS (The Gallup Independent 1/12)
Lack of evidence prompts judge's decision regarding sacred peaks (The Gallup Independent 1/12)

Approval Documents:
Final Environmental Impact Statement for Arizona Snowbowl Facilities Improvement | Forest Service Approves Snowmaking at Arizona Snowbowl

Relevant Links:
Save the Peaks Coalition - http://www.savethepeaks.org
Coconino National Forest - http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/index.shtml

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Appeals filed to snowmaking plan in sacred peaks (04/26)
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Editorial: Sacred peaks don't belong to tribes alone (3/14)
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Editorial: Ski area helped by snowmaking plan (02/20)
Navajo Nation not planning boycott for sacred site (2/20)
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