Judges Wince At Snowbowl's 'Brown Snow'

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Judges Wince At Snowbowl's 'Brown Snow'

By J.D. O'Connor
September 18, 2006

Compiled from staff and wire reports

Members of several Arizona Indian tribes told federal judges in San Francisco that Arizona Snowbowl's use of snowmaking equipment desecrated the land and insulted their ancestors. The judges, however, seemed more concerned by what the snow would be made of.

Lawyers for the Hopi, Navajo, and Apache tribe argued in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday that Snowbowl's plans to cut new runs and expand its snowmaking capabilities sullied their religious beliefs and should be blocked.

But judges appeared more concerned about the snow itself, made from reclaimed water. Judge William Fletcher said "that reclaimed water is treated sewage" and wondered what effect it would have on a skier ingesting the snow during a "faceplant."

Janice Schneider, a lawyer for the resort, told the court there would be 82 signs warning skiers the snow is generated from "reclaimed water."

But the judges appeared concerned about possible health issues, saying that no studies had been done on the use of reclaimed water for snowmaking purposes.

Jack Trope, a Hualapai attorney, said the man-made snow also could melt into a nearby spring the tribe uses for healing ceremonies. Once it touches the spring, he said, using those waters is akin to "committing spiritual malpractice."

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Comments

	Perhaps the reclaimed water could be tested in the Christian churches baptismal fonts and holy water bowls and see if it works ok for their religious ceremonies...
	Posted by: Sky \| September 21, 2006 09:00 AM

	I have played at a lot of golf courses that use reclaimed water, and figured no big deal for doing the same for snowmaking. The vision of me eating that snow during a faceplant will make me think again.
	Posted by: Erik \| October 3, 2006 04:59 PM

	There are many opinions on this topic - almost all of which are uninformed. The reclaimed water to be used for snowmaking is a far cry from sewage. Do your own research - for instance, where else in Flagstaf is this water currently being used? What testing and safety concerns were addressed in those uses? Think for yourselves!
	Posted by: Charlie Bell \| October 16, 2006 01:31 PM