Hopi Tribe does not support Navajo proposal to use groundwater for snowmaking on Nuvatukyaovi

Hopi Tribal Council does not support Navajo's proposal to use groundwater for snowmaking on Nuvatukyaovi

By Hopi Tribe
Posted at Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Oct. 11, 2011

French translation: http://www.chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=470

KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz. -- The Hopi Tribal Council does not join or support a recently proposed Navajo Nation Council Resolution recommending the use of groundwater for snowmaking on Nuvatukyaovi (the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff).

Navajo Nation Councilman Walter Phelps has introduced a bill that would have the Navajo Nation support the use of groundwater for snowmaking on the San Francisco Peaks.

Water – regardless of its source – is a limited and critical natural resource in the Southwest and the Hopi Tribe continues to oppose any artificial snowmaking by these means. As set forth in the Hopi Tribe’s complaint against the city of Flagstaff, the city is already using more than its fair share of water, and any plans to sell water to the Snowbowl will only worsen this problem. In addition, the sale of water for snowmaking so that a select few can benefit, violates the public interest in wise water use for our region.

Nuvatukyaovi is an important, sacred place for the Hopi which holds a central and essential role in Hopi culture, traditions and way of life. The Hopi Tribe has tirelessly opposed the issuance of the Special Use Permit to the Arizona Snowbowl, which allows for the installation of artificial snowmaking equipment. The Hopi Tribe has maintained unwavering opposition to any type of artificial snowmaking on the San Francisco Peaks, whether from reclaimed wastewater, recovered reclaimed water or groundwater. The only water appropriate for Nuvatukyaovi is natural water as provided by rain and snow, and there can be no exceptions.

The Navajo proposal is not a solution to the issues facing the tribes with respect to Arizona Snowbowl’s expansions on Nuvatukyaovi. Hopi Tribal Chairman LeRoy N. Shingoitewa affirms, “The Hopi Tribal Council, all known Hopi religious practitioners, the Hopi Tribe and its people are still, and always will be, opposed to the use of any snowmaking operations on Nuvatukyaovi.”

The Tribe continues to declare that the only solution is to prevent any and all artificial snowmaking on the Peaks and to void the contract between the city of Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl.

For more information on the Hopi Tribe visit www.hopi-nsn.gov