Washoe Tribe sacred site case heads to 9th Circuit

Thursday, January 18, 2007  

The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California is preparing for another round in court over a ban on climbing at the sacred Cave Rock.

The U.S. Forest Service banned climbing out of respect for the tribe's religious rights. Traditionally, only medicine men are allowed near Cave Rock.

Last February, a federal judge upheld the ban. But a group called The Access Fund is taking the case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. A hearing will be held in San Francisco on February 15.

Get the Story:
Mixing tradition with progress in Washoe Tribe (The Nevada Appeal 1/17)

Relevant Links:
Washoe Tribe - http://www.washoetribe.us
The Access Fund - http://www.accessfund.org
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit - http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu

Related Stories:
Federal judge upholds ban on climbing at sacred rock (02/01)
Appeals court says sacred sites worthy of protection (09/07)
Climbing group backs voluntary ban at sacred rock (07/06)
Climbers say sacred rock belongs to everyone (04/20)
Climbing group sues over ban at sacred site (12/16)
Forest Service upholds ban on climbing at sacred site (11/11)
Forest Service bans climbing at sacred rock (07/11)