Court clears the way for upgrades, snow making at Snowbowl
Associated Press
Jan. 11, 2006 08:57 PM
FLAGSTAFF - A federal judge's ruling Wednesday cleared the way for facility upgrades at the Arizona Snowbowl ski area, including snowmaking equipment.
The ruling upheld an earlier Coconino National Forest decision to authorize the upgrades and allow for the artificial snowmaking from reclaimed wastewater. The treated effluent would arrive via pipeline from Flagstaff.
Snowbowl officials claim the snowmaking equipment is necessary to ensure the ski area's survival.
Snowbowl, located on federal land northwest of Flagstaff in the San Francisco Peaks and owned and operated by Arizona Snowbowl Resort Limited Partnership, has long struggled with short ski seasons because of lack of snow and unpredictable weather.
U.S. Forest Service officials said they would review the ruling over the next few days to determine steps toward implementing the project.
There was no immediate reaction from several American Indian tribes and conservation groups who sought to bar the start of construction on the expansion project.
The tribes and other opponents of the expansion argued that the Forest Service failed to comply with federal environmental laws or the government's trust responsibility in protecting Indian rights and religious freedom.
A number of local tribes consider the peaks sacred. They claimed the snowmaking plan would violate the sanctity of the mountains and also might be unhealthy.
words cannot convey my feelings right now...
Jan. 11, 2006 08:57 PM
FLAGSTAFF - A federal judge's ruling Wednesday cleared the way for facility upgrades at the Arizona Snowbowl ski area, including snowmaking equipment.
The ruling upheld an earlier Coconino National Forest decision to authorize the upgrades and allow for the artificial snowmaking from reclaimed wastewater. The treated effluent would arrive via pipeline from Flagstaff.
Snowbowl officials claim the snowmaking equipment is necessary to ensure the ski area's survival.
Snowbowl, located on federal land northwest of Flagstaff in the San Francisco Peaks and owned and operated by Arizona Snowbowl Resort Limited Partnership, has long struggled with short ski seasons because of lack of snow and unpredictable weather.
U.S. Forest Service officials said they would review the ruling over the next few days to determine steps toward implementing the project.
There was no immediate reaction from several American Indian tribes and conservation groups who sought to bar the start of construction on the expansion project.
The tribes and other opponents of the expansion argued that the Forest Service failed to comply with federal environmental laws or the government's trust responsibility in protecting Indian rights and religious freedom.
A number of local tribes consider the peaks sacred. They claimed the snowmaking plan would violate the sanctity of the mountains and also might be unhealthy.
words cannot convey my feelings right now...