The sacred San Francisco Peaks in Arizona. Photo by Tyler finvold
The Hopi Tribe has lost a lawsuit that challenges the use of treated wastewater at the sacred San Francisco Peaks in Arizona. The tribe sued the city of Flagstaff for agreeing to provide reclaimed wastewater to a privately-owned ski resort located within the peaks. The tribe said the presence of the treated sewage desecrates the sanctity of the area. Judge Mark Moran, however, determined that the tribe failed to make its case, The Arizona Daily Sun reported. There was no disruption to the tribe's ceremonies and no evidence of environmental harm, he concluded. The Arizona Snowbowl ski resort starting using the reclaimed wastewater to make fake snow after securing approval from the U.S. Forest Service. The resort is located on federal land in the Coconino National Forest. The Hopi Tribe, the Navajo Nation and other tribes sued the agency but were rebuffed in the federal courts. The Hopis then launched their case against Flagstaff in the Arizona court system. Read More on the Story:
Hopi snowmaking lawsuit dismissed (The Arizona Daily Sun 8/160
Hopi Lawsuit VS Flagstaff Over Snowmaking Dismissed (AP 8/16)
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