Sludge Watch ==> Indian Tribes argue reclaimed water on Sacred Peaks sullies their religion

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin :

Spinach groves aren't the only place where 'reclaimed' sewage treatment 
plant effluent recycling is causing an outcry.

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Indian tribes argue using reclaimed water at Arizona ski resort sullies 
their religion

By David Kravets
ASSOCIATED PRESS

 September 14, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO - Attorneys for Southwestern Indian tribes urged a federal 
appeals court Thursday to block the proposed expansion of an Arizona ski 
resort they say already desecrates land they hold sacred and sullies their 
religious beliefs.
During the hearing, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals 
appeared skeptical about allowing Arizona Snowbowl to become the nation's 
first ski resort to use 100 percent reclaimed water - treated sewage - to 
make snow.

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Hopi attorney Scott Canty said it is up to the deities, not man, to make 
snow.
"To usurp their authority is a crime, an insult," he said. "It desecrates 
the entire mountain that the Hopi believe is a living entity."
The tribes say Snowbowl is an affront to their religion and its existence 
may have caused the Sept. 11 attacks and other universal calamities. The 
resort, one of two in the state, might go out of business because of a lack 
of snowfall.
The 777-acre resort rests on the western flank of the San Francisco Peaks 
that have spiritual and religious meaning to 13 tribes in the Southwest.
The resort wants to add a fifth lift, spray man-made snow and tear down and 
groom about 100 acres of forest to attract more skiers and increase the 
number of skiing days. U.S. District Judge Paul Rosenblatt of Phoenix ruled 
in January the tribes "failed to present any objective evidence that their 
exercise of religion will be impacted by the Snowbowl upgrades." The tribes 
appealed.
Janice Schneider, a lawyer for the resort, told the court there would be 82 
signs warning skiers the snow is generated from "reclaimed water."
But judges appeared concerned about the snow, particularly because they had 
no studies showing how it would affect skiers. Judge William Fletcher 
wondered whether skiers would understand "that reclaimed water is treated 
sewage" and also wondered how much snow a skier might ingest during a 
"faceplant."
Jack Trope, a Hualapai attorney, said the man-made snow also could melt into 
a nearby spring the tribe uses for healing ceremonies. Once it touches the 
spring, he said, using those waters is akin to "committing spiritual 
malpractice."
Outside the hearing, dozens of American Indians, some wearing traditional 
garb, burned sage, drummed, chanted and held signs that read "Save the 
Peaks." Inside, the courtroom was filled to capacity, mostly with Indians, 
many of whom had traveled from Arizona to attend the hearing.
"Their plans to make snow, if allowed, would be cultural genocide," said 
Kelvin Long, a Navajo who lives in Flagstaff, Ariz.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20060914-2139-skiflap.html