by Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau
Gallup
Independent
16 April 2004
FORT
DEFIANCE — Using reclaimed wastewater on the San
Francisco Peaks' Snowbowl amounts to desecration of a
sacred Holy site of the Navajos, said Navajo Nation
President Joe Shirley Jr. By allowing this desecration
"the United States of America will commit
genocide."
Somewhere
between bond issues and the Bush budget, the president
found time to deliver this comment and others in writing
on behalf of the Nation to Coconino National Forest
asking for an extension of the public comment period and
meaningful consultation on the proposed Arizona Snowbowl
Facilities Improvement plan.
The
president's comments were faxed to the forest service
from the president's Budget Advisory Council meetings in
Herndon, Va., and arrived safely just hours before the
comment period ended at midnight Tuesday, according to
Deana Jackson, senior public information officer. A
story in Wednesday's Independent incorrectly stated that
the president's comments were a day late.
"There
has been some confusion about the deadline,"J
ackson said Wednesday. "But we clarified that the
deadline was yesterday and we got it in actually about 6
o'clock yesterday evening."
President
Shirley based his request for an extension of the
comment period on an executive order of President Bill
Clinton in 2000 that recognized the unique legal
relationship between American Indian tribes and the
United States of America. That executive order provides
for meaningful consultation and coordination between
tribal and federal governments.
Because
the president just received a copy of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and because four
agencies of the Navajo Nation out of five also would
like to see a copy, President Shirley requested a 60-day
extension and a meeting with forest officials.
The
president gained immediate support from the Save the
Peaks Coalition.
"Due
to the Forest Service's lack of tribal consultation, we
believe they have not done an adequate job, as only a
few have information on the EIS," said Robert Tohe,
coordinator of Save the Peaks. "We agree with
President Shirley in requesting an extension and commend
his office in continuing to stand for his people."
Save
the Peaks has several concerns with the DEIS on the
purpose and need for the proposed action. The coalition
said the purpose is described as necessary "to
ensure a consistent and reliable operating season,
thereby maintaining the economic viability of the
Snowbowl and stabilizing employment levels and winter
tourism within the local community."
However,
Save the Peaks points out, under the Social and Economic
Resources section (page 3-71), the DEIS states numerous
times that the Snowbowl's contribution to the Flagstaff
and Coconino County economies is insignificant.
For
example, the group says, on page 3-113"... 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." The DEIS
further states that although the Snowbowl does not
"drive" the Flagstaff area economy, the ski
area does provide jobs, and ski area visitors are
positive contributors to that economy.
Native
American shoppers and businesses account for a
significant portion of the town's economy and there has
been talk among some of the tribes to forego shopping
sprees in Flagstaff.
Under
the preferred alternative selected by the forest service
in the DEIS, reclaimed wastewater would be used to make
artificial snow at the ski resort.
President
Shirley said, "The San Francisco Peaks is the
essence of who we are ... and is the Holy house of our
sacred deities whom we pray to and give our offerings.
It also is where sacred herbs for healing are
gathered."
The
National Congress of American Indians in a resolution
adopted at the 2002 annual session in San Diego, Calif.,
resolved to assist the southwest tribal nations "to
stop the expansion of the Arizona Snowbowl at the sacred
San Francisco Peaks which are now considered eligible
for listing under the National Register of Historic
Places."
The
Native American Church of Navajoland (NACNL) in March
unanimously passed a resolution (142-0-0) strongly
opposing the Snowbowl project. Members said that while
freedom of religion for all people is an inherent right
guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States
Constitution, the Native American Church of Navajoland
has experienced religious persecution in its use of the
sacrament peyote through unfavorable court decisions and
suppressive enforcement of tribal, state, and federal
laws. Passage of Public Law 103-344, the American Indian
Religious Freedom Act of 1994, provides protection for
the free exercise of traditional Native American
religion and practices, the church says.
"One
of our four sacred mountains, Dook'oos'liid, 'Shining
Clouds on Top' is being considered for expansion of
recreational facilities and artificial snowmaking for
the enjoyment of a few (skiers) at the religious and
cultural expense of 13 Native American area tribes.
"The
proposal of artificial snowmaking with reclaimed waste
water is an affront to Native American religion,
culture, identity, and value system as well as the
seasonal cycles of nature. ... Dook'oos'liid should be
conserved and preserved in a natural state with normal
seasonal cycles to ensure harmony and respect.
"Furthermore,
the conservation and preservation of the sacred
Dook'oos'liid should be a reaffirmation that traditional
Native American religion can be respected as an integral
part of our beliefs, culture, traditions and
heritage," church members said.
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