10/11/2005 8:00:00 AM For those of you who did not know, Prescott has a federal courtroom – up stairs from the downtown post office on Goodwin Street. And this past week we reported that U.S. District Court Judge Paul Rosenblatt began examining the plans for expansion and artificial snow at the Snowbowl Ski Area near Flagstaff. At issue is whether the strategy to keep the ski area profitable would create a burden on American Indians’ ability to practice their religion. Among the details the judge is examining are the U.S. Forest Service’s environmental analysis of the ski area expansion, its relation to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and issues related to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Rosenblatt has not ruled yet on the NEPA points and will begin a trial Wednesday regarding the religious questions. What’s religious about skiing? Apparently the ski area – which is in the desert, high though where it is – has a water problem. Simply put, it doesn’t get a lot of snow and is having problems making a go of it. So, the ski area has a plan to pipe effluent – recycled wastewater – roughly 14 miles from Flagstaff for snowmaking. The ski area owners say that groundwater and surface water is unavailable. The Indians – six tribes are suing – oppose the expansion and snowmaking, saying that using recycled water on the San Francisco Peaks will ruin their culture. Seems 13 tribes in all believe the peaks are sacred, and some believe they are the site of their creation. The Hopi believe their deities or kachinas live there. I have received many e-mails regarding this case and these mountains (the ones on your northeastern horizon). Some are calling the Indians hypocrites; they want their peaks unsoiled, but will take the white man’s cash at their casinos, “ruining many peoples lives every day!” On the flip side, we have people comparing the ski area’s plans for snow made from effluent to “urinating in a cemetery.” I say pumping effluent to a golf course is one thing, using it for snow on a ski area that many people consider to be a shrine is entirely another. Consider this: In Jerusalem the holy sites include the Dome of the Rock; the Dome stands on the site of Muhammad’s journey to heaven and is the third holiest place of Islam after Mecca and Medina. How about a sewage plant on the site or next to the Dome? More realistic, how about a fast-food restaurant in front of The Wailing Wall? It is the only remaining part of the original temple of King Solomon, and is the holiest place of pilgrimage and prayer for Jews. You could eat french fries on the patio and say your prayers within spitting distance of the wall. Folks, I think we need to stop kicking the Indians around. *** PARTING SHOT – The casinos are Native Americans’ saving grace after centuries of abuse by the white man – and they do donate a lot of those gains to the surrounding non-Indian entities. Contact the columnist at twieds@prescottaz.com |