Press Release: The Hopi Tribe

Kykotsmovi, AZ -  Hopi Tribal Chairman, Wayne Taylor, Jr. expressed strong reservations about the U.S. Forest Service's consideration of plans for expansion of the Snow Bowl without a supplemental environmental impact study.

"A supplemental environmental impact study is appropriate at this time since the Record of Decision is based on a document nearly twenty years old. New prevailing laws have been enacted by Congress that have substantial impact on the special use permit under which Snow Bowl currently operates," said Taylor.

"Since 1990, two significant laws and amendments to existing laws have been recognized by Congress as necessary to protect tribal interests; the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the 1990 Amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act which require consultation with Indian Tribes." stated Taylor.

         In 1989, the Hopi Tribal Council formally established the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, which has actively engaged in a dialogue with the Coconino National Forest on issues dealing with cultural resource management.

         Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma, Director of the Cultural Preservation Office worked with the Hopi Cultural Resources Advisory Team in reviewing the history of the Snow Bowl and remains firm that the San Francisco Peaks, known to the Hopi as Nuvatukyaovi, be protected from unnecessary development. Kuwanwisiwma noted that the Snow Bowl's new management has made strides in developing a long-term reciprocal relationship with the Hopi

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