The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to consider Navajo Nation v. U.S. Forest Service at a private conference on Thursday.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the U.S. Forest Service did not violate the religious rights of tribes by allowing the use of reclaimed wastewater in the sacred San Francisco Peaks of Arizona. Tribes are asking the Supreme Court to overturn the decision.

The Obama administration opposes review of the case. Tribal leaders had hoped to settle the dispute before the court considered the petition.

A decision on the case will likely be announced early next week.

Latest Briefs:
Department of Justice | Arizona Snowbowl | Navajo Nation/Tribes

9th Circuit Decision:
Navajo Nation v. US Forest Service (August 8, 2008)

Related Stories:
USDA official can't comment on sacred site case (4/29)
Navajo Nation seeks to resolve sacred site case (4/28)
Obama response awaited in sacred site case (3/23)
Tribes ask Supreme Court to hear sacred site case (1/6)
Tribes weigh next move in sacred site case (10/23)
Indian religious rights cases on high court's horizon (10/21)
9th Circuit delays ruling in sacred site case (10/06)
Interview: Attorney in San Francisco Peaks case (8/22)
Appeals court reverses course on sacred site (8/12)
9th Circuit issues rulings on sacred site, compacts (8/8)