Sludge Watch ==> AZ: Navajo Nation to Appeal Decision re Sacred Peaks sewage effluent spray

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

Sludgewatch Admin:

There is a plan to use sewage treatment plant effluent to make snow at a 
snowboarding
place in near Flagstaff Arizona.  But the sewage effluent would put 
industrial chemicals and
contaminants on a mountain that is sacred to the Navajo Nation and other 
native groups.
It is considered a desacration of a sacred site.

Studies of the contents of sewage effluent were done by the USGS and are 
available from the municipality.

...................................................................................................................



Navajo Nation to appeal decision that allows desecration of sacred San 
Fransisco Peaks by Arizona Snowbowl

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.- The Navajo Nation will appeal a U.S. District Court 
decision that allows the Arizona Snowbowl to expand its ski area, and, 
consequently, desecrate the sacred mountain Dook'o'osliid.

On Thursday, Sept. 14, the three-judge 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will 
hear oral arguments in San Francisco in a legal battle that seeks to halt 
the ski area development which calls for the use of treated wastewater to 
make artificial snow.

The Navajo Nation will argue that:

The U.S. Forest Service failed to disclose and discuss the scientific 
viewpoints submitted by Dr. Paul Torrence.
The U.S. Forest Service failed to consider the fact that children might eat 
snow treated from sewage effluent.
The U.S. Forest Service refused to consider the impacts associated with 
withdrawl of 1.5 million gallons each day of reclaimed water that is 
currently used to recharge the regional aquifer near Flagstaff; and
The U.S. Forest Service's approval of the expansion and use of treated 
sewage effluent to make snow violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Click here to receive PDF of complete story...
http://opvp.org/cms/kunde/rts/opvporg/docs/949943768-09-13-2006-11-34-41.pdf


Navajo Nation Office of the President

George Hardeen,

Communications Director

E-mail: georgehardeen at opvp.org

Ofc: 928-871-7917 Cell: 928-309-8532