U.S. Water News Online
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Construction of new trails and snowmaking facilities at a ski area in the San Francisco Peaks will not begin until at least October.
Environmental groups that have sued over the planned construction have agreed to speed up their case in return for a promise from operators of the Arizona Snowbowl and federal officials to hold off on the work while the case is court.
U.S. District Court Judge Paul Rosenblatt persuaded the parties to make the agreement after arguments over whether the judge should grant an injunction.
"We are pleased the court has agreed to schedule this trial in October," said J.R. Murray, general manager of the Arizona Snowbowl. "We look forward to getting this litigation behind us."
The Arizona Snowbowl had won approval earlier this year from federal forest officials to add runs and new buildings to the popular ski area. The ski business also was approved to install snowmaking equipment that will use reclaimed wastewater.
The ski area has long struggled with short ski seasons because of lack of snow and unpredictable weather. If it is allowed to make snow starting next winter, it would likely mean steadier business.
Six tribes, two individuals, two environmental groups and the Flagstaff Activist Network are suing the U.S. Forest Service for its decision to allow Snowbowl to make snow with reclaimed wastewater, saying it violates the sanctity of the mountains and might be unhealthy.
"We still have to talk about the merits of our case and part of it is the need to continue to recognize all those things that the Forest Service didn't do," Sierra Club environmental justice coordinator Robert Tohe said.
Tohe has argued the Forest Service didn't properly consult every tribe before making its decision and that the move is illegal because it violates religious freedoms. Several Indian tribes consider the peaks sacred.
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