Flagstaff skiing, snow making updates... press
releases, statements - and stories.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
August 31, 2010
Snowbowl Water Hearing Continues
They met, they listened, they discussed, and they
decided... to meet again on Thursday morning, August 2, at 10 AM.
The issue, of course, is whether to adopt the
proposed modification to an existing 2002 agreement to sell the ski area
reclaimed water. That modification would give the Snowbowl owners the option of
using potable (drinking) water instead.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
August 28, 2010
Navajo Nation, Various Tribal Nations Form
United Front To Oppose Any Arizona Snowbowl Expansion
On August 30 at the
Flagstaff City Council's special meeting, the Navajo Nation alongside the Hopi
Tribe, Havasupai Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, Hualapai Tribe, White Mountain Apache
Tribe, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, and many more tribal nations will stand
strong and unified against the Arizona Snowbowl's proposed contract amendment
to have the city of Flagstaff sell potable water to the ski resort for
snowmaking purposes on the sacred San Francisco Peaks (Dook'o'oslííd).
On July 21, the 21st Navajo
Nation Council voted overwhelmingly to implore the Flagstaff City Council to
disapprove the proposed contract to sell potable water to Arizona Snowbowl for
snowmaking on Dook'o'oslííd. The Navajo Nation reaffirmed its opposition to
the expansion of the Arizona Snowbowl and reaffirmed its opposition to the
further desecration of Dook'o'oslííd by the proposed use of treated
wastewater.
Additionally, the Navajo
Nation among other tribes maintains that clean drinking water is essential for
all living beings, especially in the arid Arizona climate where water should
not be wasted on non-essential recreational activities such as snowmaking.
Since the proposed
contract, the Navajo Nation and neighboring tribes have formed an alliance that
remains adamantly opposed to ski resort expansion using any type of reclaimed
water.
Navajo Nation Council
Delegate Thomas Walker, an integral leader on this issue stated, "The
result of this appalling effort by Arizona Snowbowl has brought together an
unprecedented and extensive alliance of tribes that will not rest until this
issue is resolved appropriately."
"We have visited many
tribes over the past month to build an alliance that with its synergy alone
cannot be overcome locally, state-wide, or in Washington D.C," Walker
added. "Without doubt our strength as unified tribes will be heard and
felt on August 30."
~~~~~ ~~~~~
July 30, 2010
Water Commission Recommends...
Flagstaff's Water
Commission met last night and decided (on a 5 - 4 vote) to recommend that
Flagstaff sell water to the Arizona Snowbowl. What kind of water? Either
potable water or reclaimed wastewater.
Of course, the city
already has a contract to sell them reclaimed wastewater. The current ruminations
are about possibly amending the contract.
The City Council is
expected to make a decision in about a month... or not. The City Council may
try to refer the decision to the Department of Agriculture.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
July 21, 2010
Judge wants snowmaking plans delayed
PHOENIX
— A federal judge asked the owners of Arizona Showbowl to delay the start of
construction for an artificial snowmaking system for at least another two weeks.
At
a hearing yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Mary
Murguia stated that City of Flagstaff officials are expected to decide by that
time whether they intend to sell potable water to Snowbowl.
Howard Shanker, the attorney for groups challenging the current plan to use reclaimed
wastewater on the San Francisco Peaks, conceded that would make his lawsuit to
preclude the use of “treated effluent” to make snow at the resort
irrelevant. However, foes of any snowmaking said they would file a new lawsuit
challenging even the use of potable’ water on the mountain.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
July 12, 2010
Save the Peaks Coalition
Save the Peaks District Court Arguments Rescheduled for July 20th
Events Scheduled Starting July 15 in
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ -- An Arizona District Court has once again
rescheduled oral arguments in the lawsuit challenging the proposed use of
treated sewage effluent for snowmaking on the San Francisco Peaks located in
Northern Arizona. The oral arguments have been moved from July 16th and
rescheduled to be heard at 1:00 PM (MST-AZ), Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 in the
United States District Court in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Save the Peaks Coalition and other groups are continuing their call for
support and will be rallying at the courthouse on June 20th at 11:00 AM and
urging everyone to join them in the courtroom at 1:00 PM. A full schedule of
planned events is listed below.
The case known as The Save the Peaks Coalition, et al. v. U.S. Forest Service
(USFS) will be heard before Honorable Judge Mary H. Murguia. The suit asserts,
among other things, that the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
prepared by the USFS ignores the possibility of human ingestion of snow made
from treated sewage effluent. Snowbowl would be the only ski area in the world
to use 100% wastewater to make snow. They would use 1.5 million gallons per
day, storing and spraying this wastewater on a mountain that is holy to more
than 13 Indigenous Nations.
"This case was filed because we insist that our children not be used as
guinea pigs for the profit of a single private business operating on our
public lands." Stated Jeneda Benally, a complaintant in the lawsuit.
"The Forest Service already has admitted that there was no consideration
of the impacts if children consumed wastewater snow that they acknowledge
contains untreated contaminants. We will continue to work to protect the Peaks
until our children, our environment, and Indigenous ways of life are no longer
threatened by greedy business owners and misguided government agencies and
politicians."
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations allow
A+ class treated sewer water to contain fecal matter in three out of seven
daily samples (R18-11-303 2a). Moreover, studies done by Dr. Catherine Propper,
Professor of Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University, on this same
treated sewer water have concluded the waste water contains pharmaceuticals,
hormones, endocrine disruptors, industrial pollutants like pesticides and
herbicides, and narcotics. David Norris, PhD, an integrative physiology
professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, found that pharmaceutical
ethinylestradiol made it through the Boulder, Colo. Wastewater Treatment Plant
and into Boulder Creek and reported that native male fish in Boulder Creek
decreased in numbers with respect to females and numerous intersex fish were
found downstream of the wastewater treatment plant. He states, "the fish
are a wake-up call, our bodies and those of the much more sensitive human
fetus are being exposed everyday to a variety of chemicals that are capable of
altering not only our development and physiology but that of future
generations as well."
Additionally, according to biologist Dr. Paul Torrence the
treated sewage effluent may also contain antibiotics, such as triclosan and
triclocarban which can break down into bio-accumulating cancerous dioxins when
exposed to the high altitude sunlight of the peaks. There have also been
documented cases of treated sewage released into the Colorado river that have
caused numerous outbreaks of norovirus among Grand Canyon rafters. Plaintiffs
involved in this ongoing lawsuit have consistently insisted that the USFS take
a hard look at what might happen to the people when they come in contact with
or ingest snow made from treated sewage effluent. Under the National
Environmental Policy Act, the USFS is obligated to consider these types of
potential impacts on the quality of the human environment. In 2007 a
three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court found that the USFS failed to
adequately consider the possibility of human ingestion of snow made from
treated sewage effluent. In Judge William Fletcher's opinion, he concludes
"the FEIS does not contain a reasonably thorough discussion of the risks
posed by possible human ingestion of artificial snow made from treated sewage
effluent, and does not articulate why such discussion is unnecessary."
The holding of the three-judge panel was later overturned on a technicality by
an en banc panel of the Ninth Circuit.
On July 2, 2010 the USDA granted Snowbowl ski resort
permission for development including a choice to use either direct sourced
treated sewer water for snowmaking or "recovered-reclaimed" water
from a Flagstaff City water line. When the Flagstaff Water Commission pressed
for a definition of what exactly "recovered-reclaimed" wastewater is
at a recent meeting, a city employee admitted that this was actually
Flagstaff's drinking water supply. If "recovered-reclaimed" water is
approved by the Flagstaff City Council the federal government would offset
additional costs with a tax payer loan of $11 million.
Howard Shanker, representing the Save the Peaks Coalition and additional
plaintiffs, filed for a temporary restraining order to block the proposed
development.
"Snowmaking with treated sewage effluent is a bad choice for the
environment, public health and the sanctity of the Holy San Francisco
Peaks." stated Moran Henn, an environmental scientist. "It's good
that the USDA has finally recognized that fact but they cannot pretend that
using "recovered-reclaimed" which is really Flagstaff's drinking
water will be less offensive in a community where water is scarce, where water
is life."
Volunteer supporters of the Save the Peaks Coalition are also
proceeding with a prayer vigil and rally as planned for July 16th. They will
use the opportunity to educate Phoenix residents about threats of untested and
untreated pharmaceuticals, hormones and cancer causing agents in wastewater
and possible impacts to the Holy San Francisco Peaks. The planned
Flagstaff solidarity vigil will go on as scheduled on the 16th as well.
Additionally, we are urging Flagstaff residents to attend the
July 29th Flagstaff City Water Commission's public hearing on whether or not
Flagstaff's drinking water will be sold to Snowbowl instead of treated sewage.
We are urging everyone to oppose any snowmaking on the San Francisco
Peaks. The hearing will be located at Flagstaff City Hall and volunteer
supporters will set up a vigil in front of city hall at 4PM. For a background, legal documents, photos, updates, and further information
please visit: www.TrueSnow.org
Note to editors: Colorful banners & theatrical displays.
Preliminary interviews can be arranged.
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, JULY 15TH
Taking Action for Healthy Communities
Free dinner and discussion - 6:30PM - 9:30PM
At Serena Juste (Padilla) Residence
Onk Akimel O'odham Nation (Salt River)
9312 E. Thomas Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Sunrise Prayer Gathering for Protection of Sacred Places
At Serena Juste (Padilla) Residence
Onk Akimel O'odham Nation (Salt River)
9312 E. Thomas Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85256
NOON - Rally to Protect the Peaks
Wesley Bolin Memorial Park
1700 West Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
FLAGSTAFF 2PM to 4PM
Solidarity Vigil
City Hall (RT. 66 & Humphries)
TUESDAY, JULY 20TH
11:00AM - 2:00PM - Rally & Vigil
(Rally to continue outside for those who do not wish to enter courthouse)
Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse
401 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003-2118
1:00PM - Courtroom Oral Arguments
Public is welcome! Bring picture ID
2:25PM - News Briefing with Lawyer Howard Shanker
THURSDAY, JULY 29TH
4:00PM - Rally at Flagstaff City Hall Lawn
5:00PM - Flagstaff City Water Commission Public Hearing
Opponents of snow making at the Arizona Snowbowl have once again gone to court
in another attempt to "stop or at least delay construction."
~~~~~ ~~~~~
July 2, 2010
Representative Ann Kirkpatrick
Agriculture Department Has Granted Permit for Snowmaking at
Arizona Snowbowl
FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Representative Ann
Kirkpatrick today announced that after 13 months of negotiations with key
stakeholders and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA is granting the
permit allowing snowmaking to proceed at Arizona Snowbowl. This is another step
towards ending the seven-year battle over this cost-effective jobs project.
Rep. Kirkpatrick has been working with the Agriculture
Department and other involved parties to find a path forward for this effort
that addresses all of the issues under discussion, and the permit reflects that
process. It gives the stakeholders and the community options as they craft an
agreement that creates jobs, strengthens the economy, secures a long-term water
source for Flagstaff and acknowledges the sacredness of the San Francisco Peaks
to our Native American tribes.
“The stakeholders are putting in the time and effort
it takes to find a consensus solution that truly meets the needs of our
community. This permit gives us the control and the flexibility we need to move
forward,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “We can find the right
balance of encouraging growth, protecting our environment and respecting our
tribal communities.
“This will bring hundreds of new jobs to Flagstaff
and have a tremendous economic impact, and it is important for us to realize
that potential. However, we have to do it with balance.”
Rep. Kirkpatrick has been engaged with the snowmaking effort
since her service in the state legislature, and has consistently maintained
that a negotiated settlement would be best for all those involved. Ever since
the courts made their final rulings on the questions at hand and it fell into
USDA’s jurisdiction, she has been pushing to make progress on the project
while fully considering the issues raised.
Rep. Kirkpatrick joined Arizona Senators John McCain and Jon
Kyl in writing a letter asking the Agriculture Department to explain why the
Record of Decision was being held, and she separately made a formal request for
them to lay out their plan. USDA released their proposal in February, and she
hosted a tele-conference in April in which she announced her support for that
outline and highlighted the potential benefits of a well-tailored agreement for
Flagstaff. She has been meeting with department officials, Flagstaff leaders
and other stakeholders throughout this period to facilitate and to help move
them closer to a working compromise.
May 28, 2010
The Flagstaff Water Commission is hearing
from parties on both sides of the proposal to use potable water for snowmaking.
Local residents tend to oppose the idea, citing the limited water supply.
The Indian tribes and their allied
environmental organizations (losers in the Supreme Court) continue to oppose
all snowmaking.
March 9, 2010
The Obama administration's Department of
Agriculture is attempting to coerce the City of Flagstaff into supplying scarce
potable and pumped ground water for snowmaking at Arizona Snowbowl. that
does not come directly from reclaimed wastewater.
The Snowbowl would also reportedly receive $11 million in
"government aid" (tax dollars) to cover the higher costs for the
water but over a period of years.
Arizona senators Kyl and McCain issued a letter blasting
the plan as a waste of taxpayer money and a violation of court decisions
in favor of making snow at Snowbowl with treated effluent. Their letter
stated...
"We oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to subsidize
snowmaking at Arizona Snowbowl, and we will object to any attempt to secure an
earmark or congressional approval of this project."
December, 21, 2009
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's delaying of permits will
probably delay snow making at the Arizona Snowbowl beyond the 2010-2011 season
that the ski area's owners had sought... and are legally entitled to.
It is also unlikely the Snowbowl will get a 160-foot
conveyor system to transport beginning skiers and snowboarders uphill this
season at Hart Prairie.
Why? Because the U.S. Department of Agriculture put a hold on installation of
snowmaking equipment in September, according to agency documents.
Lawyers representing the U.S. Forest Service, which falls under Agriculture,
said it would be at least next summer before any other construction started at
Snowbowl.
That could possibly delay making snow with reclaimed wastewater beyond the
2010-2011 season that the ski area's owners had sought.
Why would a U.S. government department deliberately inflict
financial pain on this one citizen? The legal questions have been settled by
the U.S. Supreme Court... but the political battle continues.
November, 26, 2009
Feds admit withholding permits for
Snowbowl
The Forest
Service said it is withholding snowmaking and related construction
permits for a northern Arizona ski resort as a way to promote settlement
talks between several Indian tribes and the resort's owners.
The permits
are being delayed despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that
upheld the Arizona Snowbowl's right to proceed with construction and
operations.
Snowbowl owner
Eric Borowsky said talks aimed at reaching a deal had ended a month ago.
"So far,
there have been no new ideas, so we're just waiting for the notice to
proceed," he said.
It is believed by many that the Forest
Service is withholding the permits at the behest of political appointees in the
Department of Agriculture.
McCAIN
SEEKS EXPLANATION FROM USDA ON SNOWBOWL DELAY
October 14, 2009
Washington,
D.C.
–
U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) joined Republican Whip Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
and Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) in issuing a second letter to the
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, regarding the Forest
Service’s delay in moving forward with Arizona Snowbowl’s facility
improvements:
“We
are writing to request a meeting to discuss the implementation of the May 2005
Record of Decision (ROD) issued by the Forest Service for the Arizona Snowbowl
Facilities Improvement Project (‘the Project’).
“You
may recall that on June 26, 2009, we wrote to you asking for a status report
and timeline for implementing the ROD for the Project.Instead of a substantive reply, we received a letter from Deputy
Secretary Kathleen Merrigan that failed to provide the requested information
and leaves the unmistakable impression that the Department has no plan to
release a Notice to Proceed.
“As
you know, a Record of Decision is a final agency action that’s subject to
judicial review. The ROD for Arizona Snowbowl was successfully upheld by
the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and a petition for a writ of certiorari to
the U.S. Supreme Court was subsequently denied. The Justice Department
has devoted considerable taxpayer resources defending Forest Service actions in
Navajo Nation v. Forest Service (Docket No. 08-846).
Arizona Snowbowl has spent an estimated $5 million over the past 8 years
working through Forest Service procedures and the legal and administrative
appeals process. Nevertheless, it appears that the Department is seeking
to indefinitely delay or outright cancel the ROD, which would be disastrous for
Arizona Snowbowl and would establish sweeping precedence for all other
permittees on Federal lands who pursue the administrative process for project
approvals.
“The
Administration’s continued reluctance to implement the ROD is perplexing and
necessitates a briefing on the Project at the earliest possible date.”
September, 21, 2009
We will impose Our Will in spite of the
Supreme Court. That seems to be the attitude of the Save The Peaks Coalition
and "a group of citizens" who, according to the Associated Press,
filed another lawsuit today.
the AP story says in part...
Lawsuit aims
to stop expansion of Ariz. ski resort
"The U.S. Forest Service is being sued
in an effort to block expansion of a ski resort on an Arizona mountain that
American Indian tribes consider sacred.
The lawsuit was filed Monday by the Save the
Peaks Coalition and a group of citizens. It comes more than three months after
the U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal from tribes that said the use of
treated wastewater to make artificial snow threatened their religious and
cultural survival.
The suit contends the Forest Service failed
to consider the human health risks of ingesting snow made with treated
wastewater at the Arizona Snowbowl resort outside Flagstaff."
August, 26, 2009
Now that the Supreme Court has declined
to hear the legal appeal, the project can proceed...
The project will expand ski lifts, ski runs,
snow play areas and make other facility improvements. A portion of the plan
that will make artificial snow from City of Flagstaff treated effluent is the
feature opponents have based most of their objections upon.
J.R. Murray, the general manager of Arizona
Snowbowl, said the company plans to have snow making machines functioning by
the 2010-2011 season. This will allow Snowbowl to be open for a full 100-day
season, from Christmas through spring break, which Murray estimates will raise
the amount of skiers from 120,000 to 200,000 per season.
Regarding the Supreme Court’s decision Murray
said “We were very elated and very satisfied. We were committed to making
sure that the Snowbowl continues to exist as a ski area in northern Arizona.”
Murray said snowmaking is necessary due to the high
level of unpredictability with regard to the amount of snow the Peaks receive
every snow season.
“Without the predictability of knowing whether
we’re going to be open each year, it is impossible to run a business and
succeed,” Murray said.
June 9, 2009
The U.S. Supreme Court announced
yesterday that it has decided against reviewing the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals decision, of August 8, 2008, which clears the way for artificial snow
making at the Arizona Snowbowl.
The decision to not review the Court of
Appeals decision ends the court battle waged by opponents to prevent expansion
of ski areas and snow making using treated effluent.
Other tactics to prevent the ski area
expansion have included attempts to block the treated effluent purchase
agreement between the Arizona Snowbowl and the City of Flagstaff.
Opponents are surely looking for other
avenues to prevent construction... such as denial of permits and/or
construction financing.
January 7, 2009
Appeal To US Supreme Court Filed
Several Arizona Indian tribes (and other
groups) filed
an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court in a case involving the expansion of
the Arizona Snowbowl's authorization to use reclaimed waste water for artificial snow. The Snowbowl
case has garnered significant attention as an opportunity for the court to
establish some precedents under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Numerous activist groups around the West...
and in Arizona, have taken interest in this case. Many see it as a means to
"lock up" more public land and prevent any development.
October 4, 2008
Snowmaking Upgrade
Temporarily On Hold
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request Friday to delay any
construction at the Arizona Snowbowl until the U.S. Supreme Court could decide
whether to hear the case.
Opponents of snowmaking with reclaimed
(treated) wastewater at the Arizona Snowbowl ski facility filed the request to
have the court block construction there through mid-December, pending a high
court appeal.
Snowbowl's operators have previously stated
they would not plan any construction to add snowmaking equipment or new lifts
to the area until next spring.
August 8, 2008
The Ninth District Court sides with
Snowbowl
The operators of the Arizona Snowbowl are entitled to use
recycled sewage to make snow on the San Francisco Peaks despite objections of
several Native American tribes, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sitting
en banc has ruled in an 8 to 3 decision.
Judge Carlos Bea, writing for the majority, “Were it
otherwise, any action the federal government were to take, including action on
its own land, would be subject to the personalized oversight of millions of
citizens. Each citizen would hold an individual veto to prohibit the government
action solely because it offends his religious beliefs, sensibilities, or
tastes, or fails to satisfy his religious desires. Further, giving one
religious sect a veto over the use of public park land would deprive others of
the right to use what is, by definition, land that belongs to everyone.”
March 13, 2007
Court Rules Against Snowbowl
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that
the Arizona Snowbowl's plan to use treated wastewater to make snow would
violate the religious freedom of more than a dozen American Indian tribes.
The 80-acre facility north of Flagstaff is located on the
western flank of the San Francisco Peaks -- mountains that have spiritual and
religious meaning to 13 tribes in the Southwest.
The tribes claimed the ski resorts' plans to expand -
including use of treated wastewater from the City of Flagstaff - violates their
religious freedom... and that the Forest Service did not adequately address the
impact of wastewater on the environment.
The appellate court agreed with them. This case is now
expected to go to the Supreme Court for a final decision.
December 17, 2006
The Flagstaff Daily Sun headline shouted "New
data confirm contaminants in treated wastewater" but the first
word in the underlying story was... Miniscule.
That newspaper story also includes
these statements...
But even after a second study by an NAU
biologist, it remains to be determined whether this exposure affects the health
of wildlife and humans.
The city's top water official says the latest report isn't cause for alarm.
But the Flagstaff City Council is asking for more data...
The newspaper's apparent bias causes me to have an equal
and opposite reaction!
December 14, 2006
The Flagstaff City Council renews the city's agreement to
sell wastewater to the Arizona Snowbowl to make snow.
The Snowbowl plans to begin snowmaking next winter if it
prevails on a legal appeal filed by tribes and environmental groups now pending
in the federal courts.
To this point, government agencies and courts have upheld
the Snowbowl's plans and agreements.
January 2006
Well, the federal judge's decision did not favor the
position of those intent upon stopping improvements and expansion of the
skiing and snow play facilities at the Snowbowl.
At least some of the complaining parties are planning to
appeal the judge's ruling.
Here's a link to the Forest Service response to the snow
making court decision.
September 14, 2006
Attorneys for the Navajo, Hopi and Hualapai tribes asked
the Ninth District Court of Appeals to overturn previous decisions and prevent
snowmaking at the Arizona Snowbowl..
December 2005
Where's the snow? Last year there was plenty of snow...
and the activities that the snow makes possible. This year there is no snow
at the Snowbowl, no skiing, and no jobs.
December 2005
The Trial is over... sort of. A decision is
expected in early 2006 in the suit aimed at blocking snowmaking at the Snowbowl.
That decision is sure to be appealed, whichever side prevails.
Navajos, Hopis and environmental groups
appeal Forest Service decision.
March 2005
Breaking News... Snowmaking proposal approved
Coconino National Forest Supervisor Nora Rasure announced her decision to
approve Alternative Two of the Snowbowl Facilities Improvement Draft EIS.
Alternative Two would allow the making of artificial snow, improvements to
lifts, lodges, and other facilities. A snow play area would also be constructed
at the Snowbowl.
Supervisor Rasure noted that her decision is based primarily on improving
safety and recreation opportunities.
The decision is widely anticipated to be appealed through the established
appeals process, and then through the courts.
~~~ ~~~
Flagstaff skiing snow
making and other facility improvements have
been proposed at the Arizona Snowbowl.
This Flagstaff skiing snow
making update page seeks to keep you informed of events as the proposal
goes through the approval process. As the process and controversy drags on, I
anticipate that my observayions and comments will become more pointed.
The Arizona Snowbowl skiing facility is located
on Coconino National Forest land. This means that all significant improvements
are subject to Federal rules, including an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The Forest Service usually hires a skilled
contractor to execute the EIS process.
The process usually consists of numerous steps, including a draft EIS detailing
several alternatives, a public comment period, evaluation of
comments received, and a final EIS document being issued.
In the case of the Flagstaff skiing snow making proposal, the next steps
following issuance of the final EIS will probably be court hearings. Several
groups oppose any improvements and will undoubtedly continue
their opposition through the Federal courts.
A number of years ago a previous Snowbowl
operator proposed to make snow. Opponents fought the proposal all the way to
the US Supreme Court before losing. However, snow making never materialized at
the skiing facility.
April 13, 2004 was the deadline for submission
of public comments. More than 8,000 comments were received. The Forest Service's
contractor is currently reviewing and preparing
responses to all comments received.
Arizona Snowbowl's operator had hoped for a
final decision from the Forest Service in late 2004, and to be making snow for
the 2005 - 2006 season. The large number of comments has pushed that final
decision into early 2005.
Those interested in the long term economic
health of the Flagstaff area hope that snow making and other improvements
happen, since the future of the
Arizona Snowbowl seems to depend on snow making.
Reproduced below is the Forest Service's
original press release announcing the availability of the Flagstaff skiing snow
making draft EIS. It also
contains additional information of interest.
~~~~~
February 2, 2004
Forest Service Releases Draft Study on Snowbowl Upgrade
Flagstaff, AZ - The Coconino National Forest today released the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for the Arizona Snowbowl Improvement project.
The Preferred Alternative described in the document proposes to create
snowmaking on 205 acres of skiable terrain at the ski area, using reclaimed
water from the City of Flagstaff. It also proposes adding one new chairlift and
four surface lifts; realigning and/or lengthening three of the current
chairlifts; creating 74 acres of new ski runs; creating a snowplay/tubing area
and associated infrastructure; creating a snowboarding halfpipe; and improving
the ski area’s service facilities and resort infrastructure. All of the
proposed improvements would occur entirely within the 777-acre ski area.
“We are at an important point in this process, which is a disclosure of
the environmental and social effects related to a range of alternatives,”
said Gene Waldrip, District Ranger of the Peaks Ranger District. “Public
comment to this Draft Environmental Impact Statement is crucial to making a
final decision.”
Waldrip added that the planning effort is closely tied to a need to improve
the Snowbowl. “Our Preferred Alternative is designed to improve public safety
at the ski area, plus it will augment customer service, bring the ski area into
compliance with current ski industry norms, and lend vital stability to the
economic viability of the Arizona Snowbowl,” he said. “Part of the Forest
Service’s mission is to provide safe, well-managed recreation, such as
downhill skiing and snowboarding. That’s why we are proposing this
project.”
Night lighting at the ski area, a major element in the initial proposal, was
dropped from the project during analysis, after officials saw little public
support for the idea. “We dropped night lighting from the analysis because of
several reasons,” said Waldrip. “It was not vital to meeting the
project’s purpose and need, plus it got very little support. On top of that,
analyzing the environmental and social effects of night lighting would have
been extremely difficult.”
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is an interim environmental
study report generated by the Forest Service to assess the environmental
impacts associated with several alternative approaches to improving the Arizona
Snowbowl. The Snowbowl DEIS contains three alternatives analyzed in detail,
which are roughly described as No Action (Alternative 1), Proposed Action
(Alternative 2), and No Snowmaking or Snowplay (Alternative 3). Alternative 2
is the Forest Service’s Preferred Alternative. Alternative 3 encompasses all
proposed improvements except for snowmaking and constructing a snowplay area.
The DEIS for the Snowbowl Improvement project will enter a 60-day public
comment period as soon as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes a
notice of availability regarding the DEIS in the Federal Register. Nora Rasure,
Supervisor of the Coconino National Forest, has extended the comment period
from 45 days to 60 days. The purpose of this period is to allow the public an
opportunity to review the DEIS and submit comments to it. Comments may express
agreement or disagreement with the analysis and conclusions in the document.
However, to be considered substantive (useful), comments should express the
writer’s rationale for their position.
People may submit comments in the following ways:
In writing, to Ken Jacobs, Team Leader, 5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ
86004
Orally, by calling (928) 226-xxxx and leaving a voice recording.
Once the comment period has closed, the Forest Service will collect and
analyze all public comments, and then factor these comments into the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project. That document, along
with the Forest Service’s decision based on the analysis in the FEIS, is
expected this fall.
In order to assist the public in evaluating the DEIS, the Coconino NF will
hold a public open house regarding the Snowbowl DEIS on February 25, 2004, from
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Flagstaff High School, in the commons area. The public is
invited to attend this open house at any time during the four-hour period and
talk to a variety of resource specialists. Comment forms will be available at
the open house, and the Forest Service will collect comments at this event.