Hopi Tribe humbled by court victory on sacred site

Thursday, March 15, 2007  

The Hopi Tribe of Arizona hopes the court decision protecting the sacred San Francisco Peaks leads to a better relationship with the U.S. Forest Service.

The tribe, along with several others, sued the agency for approving the use of treated sewage to make snow at a ski area in the Peaks. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the Forest Service violated tribal religious rights.

Hopi Chairman Benjamin Nuvamsa called the ruling a "humble victory" for the tribe, The Gallup Independent reported. He said he hopes the Forest Service will respect tribal values when making future decisions.

Get the Story:
'Humble victory' in Peaks decision (The Gallup Independent 3/14)

Court Decision:
Navajo Nation v. US Forest Service (March 12, 2007)

Listen to Oral Arguments:
Navajo Nation v. Forest Service (September 14, 2006)

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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