The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on Thursday in a sacred site case being followed by more than a dozen tribes.

The Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, the Hualapai Tribe and other tribes are trying to stop the expansion of a ski resort. They say the resort's use of reclaimed wastewater to make snow will desecrate the peaks.

Judges on the 9th Circuit expressed concerns about the wastewater, the Associated Press reported. But the AP said their questions focused on skiers at the Arizona Snowbowl.

The U.S. Forest Service allowed the Snowbowl to make snow and expand the facility. A federal judge upheld the decision.

Get the Story:
Indians Argue Against Ski Resort Plan (AP 9/15)
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Tribal reps at hearing (The Gallup Independent 9/14)

Appeals Court Documents:
Opening Brief [Word DOC] | Reply Brief [Word DOC]

Lower Court Decision:
Navajo Nation v. US Forest Service (January 11, 2006)

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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9th Circuit to hear sacred site case on Thursday (9/13)
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