"We understand the resistance Native Americans have to the recreational use of the San Francisco Peaks as a ski resort.

The dispute between tribes and the outside community over the mountaintop has been a long, contentious one. Vows to continue the fight against the Arizona Snowbowl notwithstanding, we hope the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to consider the dispute finishes it.

That may be wishful thinking, of course. The debate over recreational uses of land many Arizona tribes consider sacred long predated the question of using purified wastewater to make artificial snow. Efforts by owners of the mountaintop ski lodge near Flagstaff to improve their facilities have met opposition from tribes and their supporters since the early 1970s.

The fact is, the mountain now is shared territory. For tribes, it will forever be sacred. But for others, it is a winter recreation spot."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Artificial snow a must for resort (The Arizona Republic 6/16)

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

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

Related Stories:
Blog: No end to fight over San Francisco Peaks (6/15)
Tribes weigh next step in sacred site battle (6/9)
Supreme Court declines to hear sacred site case (6/8)
Supreme Court to consider sacred site case (6/1)
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)