What is the legacy of
Flagstaff?
The San Francisco Peaks have been held sacred since time immemorial
to 13 native nations who have been stewards of this delicate mountain
ecosystem. This mountain is a vital part of the spiritual ways of life
of hundreds of thousands of American citizens.
Within the past 60 years, the ski area has incited a cultural divide
with deeply emotional clashes of economic, spiritual and ecological
values. The release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
on Snowbowl’s proposed action underscores the conflict.
The DEIS acknowledges that Alternative 2, snowmaking with wastewater
and further development of the ski area, will deepen the scar of desecration
on this sacred mountain, yet it pretends that negative cultural impacts
can be mitigated by ensured access and “the development of a Cultural
Center...” This is an absurd contradiction that flies in the face
of the Traditional Cultural Properties designation and recognized tribal
beliefs. It is not possible to desecrate a sacred site to teach people
how sacred it is. Would desecration of one percent of your church be
acceptable if it were accompanied by graffiti explaining the significance?
The DEIS clearly reveals that Snowbowl’s contribution to local
economies is insignificant: “the Arizona Snowbowl is not a dominant
force in the economy...” “… even a cursory examination
of the scope of the ski area operation in comparison with the full scope
of the Flagstaff area economy makes it clear that the ski area is of
insufficient size to be a dominant driver of trends in tourism or the
broader economy.” “Given the small segment of the BBB tax
generated by Snowbowl visitors, it is unlikely that overall BBB tax
collections would have a significant correlation with business activity
at the Snowbowl…”
The DEIS, City officials and snowmaking proponents have dismissed health
concerns about the wastewater by citing EPA standards. However it is
clear that standards have not caught up Catherine Propper’s recent
findings on the ecosystem and human health hazards of endocrine disruptors
in Flagstaff’s wastewater. In ignoring this information, we’re
gambling with a fragile ecosystem and discarding warnings from groundbreaking
scientific studies.
The Forest Service has given us only 60 days to make comments on a proposal
that will forever alter the mountain we’ve held sacred since the
beginning of time. Some Tribal officials received their copies of the
DEIS only 2 weeks ago, others not at all. No extra measures have been
taken to involve traditional tribal members, yet great caution and careful
attention should be necessary to make a decision of this magnitude that
includes not only snowmaking, but a 3.5 surface acre wastewater pond,
74 acre clear cuts, noise from snowmaking machines audible over a mile
away, and threatened wildlife.
With this issue, we are faced with choices about Flagstaff’s legacy
and future. How will the international community and heritage tourists
view this clash of economics versus culture and spirituality? Do we
value increased profits for a few and manipulation of the natural world
over our unique ecological and cultural heritage? Does the Flagstaff
community only value culture behind glass, in a book, or on a shelf?
With the no action alternative, we can choose a legacy of respect for
living culture and spirituality, beauty and nature. We can choose a
future based on commitment to solutions that strengthen our entire community.
Klee Benally
Dine’ (Navajo)
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