Protect Sacred Sites: SF Peaks & Medicine Lake

[NVMojo]

Feb 2006
Protect Sacred Sites
In this release
- Protecting the San Francisco Peaks
- Medicine Lake--Development and Opposition

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I. SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS

The northern Arizona horizon is dramatically marked by three 12,000-foot volcanic peaks--the San Francisco Peaks-- looming over the Colorado Plateau. These Peaks are sacred to 13 tribes, sacred as a provider of medicinal plants for healing ceremonies, and a home to ancestral spirits.

Native land for thousands of years, the Peaks are currently under the stewardship of the U.S. Forest Service, as part of the Coconino National Forest. In the 1930's the Forest Service allowed the construction of a ski lodge resort and access road on the northern slopes of the Peaks. This resort is currently seeking an expansion, and to manufacture extra snow using wastewater from the city of Flagstaff, with strong opposition from area tribes and many community members. The natural melting snow goes into a water aquifer, and community members fear the waste water in the manufactured snow will pollute the pure mountain water.

A decision to allow wastewater snowmaking and expansion was issued on Jan 11th by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Rosenblatt, to the consternation of tribes and those in the community opposed to the development.

Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, director for the Hopi Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Office stated, “I want to express disappointment. . . . it’s a part of the legacy of insensitivity by federal agencies such as the Coconino National Forest Service on the civil and human rights of many people including the Hopi People.” Kuwanwisiwma said, “The tribe will consider an immediate call for an injunction in addition to an appeal.”

“Recent history has shown the federal courts are not supportive of Native American sensibilities and traditions when it comes to issues concerning the landscape and spiritual health of our People . . . the long term consequences and repercussions could over time haunt all of us, regardless of which culture you claim as your own.” stated Jamie Fullmer, Tribal Chairman of The Yavapai-Apache Nation and Vincent Randall, a Tribal Council Historian in a joint statement expressing their disappointment.

“This is a devastating tragedy for all those who value environmental health, culture and religious freedom.” said Klee Benally, Navajo of the Save the Peaks Coalition, “This is a miscarriage of justice."


WHAT YOU CAN DO

1. Call and/or email your U.S. Representatives and urge them to protect the unique cultural and ecological values of the San Francisco Peaks.

Capitol Switchboard
[phone]
www.visi.com/juan/congress

2. Urge U.S. Senator John McCain to support the efforts of the tribes in protecting their religious freedom and human rights, particularly if you are a resident of Arizona. Urge Senator McCain to take a stand and let the Forest Service know that Snowbowl's plan is creating division and furthering the wounds that exist in our communities.

Senator John McCain
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: http://mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=Contact.Home


3. Support the Save the Peaks Coalition by making a donation to support their efforts.
http://www.savethepeaks.org/savethepeaks/pagetemp/donate.html


FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.savethepeaks.org
[e-mail]



II. MEDICINE LAKE--DEVELOPMENT AND OPPOSITION
(adapted from week of 1/29 article by Mark LeBeau, "Protesters vow to stop Calpine Energy Corporation's plans to destroy the Sacred Medicine Lake Highlands and other Native cultural and natural places")

On 1/27/06, a protest was held at Calpine Energy headquarters in San Jose, CA to protect the Medicine Lake Highlands, and other vitally important Native cultural and natural places, sacred to tribe(s) in Northern California. Calpine holds energy leases and state government support to build a geothermal powerplant in the Highlands. Over 250 Native and non-Native people participated in the demonstration to register their support in a highly visible, assertive and nonviolent way.

Organizational supporters of the protest include: Indian People Organizing for Change, Vallejo Inter-tribal Council, Native American Sisterhood Alliance of Mills College, Advocates for the Protection of Sacred Sites, Da'hu La'h As Sacred Sites Defense, SGF, Greenaction, IITC, IEN, Citizens of the Pitt River Nation, Tierra Viva of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Youth United for Community Action, CA Communities Against Toxics, Redding Rancheria and Pit River Tribe.

Even though geothermal energy is considered a renewable energy, there are several environmental and cultural concerns with the project, including:
- expected emissions of hydrogen sulfide gas, arsenic and mercury.
- drilling to depths of nine thousand feet.
- cultural and natural area where Native peoples have retreated since time immemorial to gather medicine and strength and receive healing would be cut down to make space to house toxic slump ponds, roads, pipelines and cooling towers.
- threats to the underlying aquifer--California’s largest spring system.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Contact Calpine to express your concern over the project:

Calpine Headquarters
50 West San Fernando Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-995-5115 (phone)
408-995-0505
[e-mail]


2. It is expected that there will very soon be a call to further action. For more information on future protests, demonstrations and other advocacy efforts, call 530-917-6064 or 916-801-4422


--
"We cannot again shrink from our responsibilities; we cannot simply return to business as usual. . . . We must continue to speak out for balance and sustainability, for the well-being of a living and sacred Earth." -- Vernon Masayesva (Hopi)

[NMDemDist2]

1. Since I'm a constituent of McCain I'm happy to call his office Monday n/t

[Metta]

2. Thanks for the alert. I'll call Monday.

:thumbsup:

[Delphinus]

3. I've loved the Peaks

ever since I first saw them about ten years ago. I have family out there and will ask them to call.

[dbackjon]

4. And I will call to support the SnowBowl

Lived in Flagstaff for 13 years. The plan is an environmently sound one. The 'wastewater' is clean - will not pollute the aquifer.