Forest Service Gives Green Light to Snowmaking
by cucurbita Wednesday, Mar. 09, 2005 at 3:34 AM

In a noontime conference call on March 8 the Forest Service announced a decision to proceed with Alternative 2 of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, allowing snowmaking using reclaimed wastewater on the San Francisco Peaks. This decision will also allow for an additional 66 acres of new trails, a 14.8 mile pipeline to transport the wastewater from Flagstaff to Snowbowl, and a snowplay/tubing facility.

This decision has been regarded as an insult to the 14 tribes who hold this mountain sacred. "It's clear that the decision made today reflects a history of insensitivity to the Hopi people," said Leigh Kuwanawisiwma, director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, at a press conference held yesterday in Flagstaff. The press conference, which was orgainized by the Save the Peaks Coalition, was attended by several regional tribal leaders, around 50 local activists, and half a dozen police officers. The Sierra Club and the Save the Peaks Coaltion as well as the Navajo and Hopi tribes plan to appeal the Forest Service's decision. They have 45 days to submit these appeals to the regional office in Albuquerque. In the meantime, the Save the Peaks Coalition is calling for a boycott of Snowbowl and is encouraging people to contact the Forest Service's regional office to voice their opposition. To get involved, contact Andy Bessler of the Sierra Club at 928-774-6103 or Klee Benally of the Save the Peaks Coalition at 928-380-2629.

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