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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 19, 2010
CONTACT
Klee Benally
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District Court to Hear Arguments Over Sewage Effluent Snowmaking Scheme on Peaks
Concerned Citizens Prepare Events to Protect Public Health
Phoenix, AZ—At 1:30 p.m. (MST-AZ) on Monday, June 14th a U.S. District Court Judge will hear oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging the proposed use of treated sewage effluent on the San Francisco Peaks located in Northern Arizona. This case addresses whether or not a private, for-profit business, Arizona Snowbowl Resort Limited Partnership (ASR), which operates on public land managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS), will be permitted to make fake snow using treated sewage water. The current legal challenge has forced the ski business to agree not to begin development.
The case known as The Save the Peaks Coalition, et al. v. U.S. Forest Service 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.
According to Howard Shanker, attorney for the Save the Peaks Coalition and the other plaintiffs,
"The Forest Service failed to adequately consider the impacts of potential human ingestion of snow made from reclaimed sewer water as required by applicable law. Our government should not be approving such projects without some sort of understanding of the anticipated impacts. By approving treated sewage effluent for snow making without adequate analysis, the government essentially turns the ski area into a test facility with our children as the laboratory rats. That is unconscionable." Mr. Shanker, a former congressional candidate in Arizona Congressional District 1, represented a number of tribes and environmental organizations in prior litigation over Snowbowl's proposed expansion and threatened use of treated sewage effluent.
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. 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.
Despite these public health threats and widespread public opposition to ASR's proposed development, the City of Flagstaff maintains a contract to sell up to 180 million gallons of treated sewage to ARS. Arizona Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl have also attempted to pressure the USFS to move the plans forward. McCain even threatened to roadblock Obama appointees to the Department of Agriculture if ASR was not allowed to begin construction for snowmaking with reclaimed sewer water immediately.
"It's disturbing to know that our elected officials care more about a single for profit business' interests than public health, ecological integrity, and religious freedom" said Berta Benally, a plaintiff in the case and a volunteer supporter of the Save the Peaks Coalition. Berta Benally continued, "These politicians are completely disconnected from our community. Would they endanger their own children's health by putting them at risk of being immersed in fake snow made from recycled sewage?"
Even Arizona Congresswoman (CD1) Anne Kirkpatrick's endorsement of using subsidized taxpayer funds to divert scarce freshwater resources toward snowmaking has come under criticism from local environmental groups and Indigenous Nations.
"The City of Flagstaff is trying desperately to find a new water source based on projections that there will not be enough fresh water to sustain us by 2050. I wonder if it is smart choice for Representative Kirkpatrick to subsidize the theft of clean drinking water from our grandchildren's mouths" said Avi Henn, Graduate Student in Environmental Sciences at NAU.
Volunteer supporters of the Save the Peaks Coalition are organizing a caravan from Northern Arizona, and rally and march at the Sandra Day O'Conner Federal Court House in Phoenix on June 14th.
"We want to build public awareness and participation in the protection of public health and ecological integrity of the Holy San Francisco Peaks" stated Alberta Nells, a volunteer supporter of the Save the Peaks Coalition. "We are working with local environmental groups, Indigenous Nations and concerned citizens to promote a unified voice for environmental justice, cultural survival and sacred sites." The San Francisco Peaks are held holy by more than 13 Indigenous Nations from throughout the Southwestern United States.
For a full background, legal documents, photos, and further information on the Save the Peaks Coalition please visit: www.savethepeaks.org.
Wil je graag meer doen en een actieve bijdrage leveren? Dan kan dat zeker!
Je bent meer dan welkom als donateur en we zijn altijd op zoek naar enthousiaste vrijwilligers die meer willen doen en een actieve bijdrage willen leveren! Via de links boven deze tekst vind je meer informatie
Heb je een goed idee of wil je op een andere manier actief deelnemen of een bijdrage leveren stuur dan een email naar
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, en vertel ons wat je voor de Stichting zou kunnen en willen betekenen.
Een Native American evenement als de MedicineWheel Gathering staat of valt met de deelname van mensen die vrijwillig een bijdrage willen leveren. In 2007 en 2008 en 2009 waren we ontzettend blij met de ondersteuning van al die mensen die ons geholpen hebben en echt kei en keihard gewerkt hebben om het evenement succesvol te laten verlopen.
Ook voor 2010 zoeken we weer gedreven enthousiaste mensen die samen de schouders onder de MedicineWheel Gathering en andere activiteiten wilen zetten. Vanzelfsprekend wordt je verblijf geregeld en is er ook ruimte voor deelname aan activiteiten.
Wil je als vrijwilliger meewerken stuur dan een mailtje naar
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waarin je aangeeft wie je bent en wat je voor de gathering en het team daarachter zou kunnen en willen betekenen.
BENEFIET VOORSTELLING QUENTIN PIPESTEM
- Spectaculaire dansshow, Storytelling, Muziek
- ZATERDAG 29 NOVEMBER , 20.30u
Een spectaculaire performance door een Native American Artist van de Blackfeet Nation
Quentin Pipestem voert jullie op een cultuurreis door de Noordelijke Plains. Hij zal volgens de oude traditie Verhalen vertellen, op de handtrommel en fluit spelen. Ook zal hij Traditionele Dansen laten zien waaronder de “Grass-dance”, de “Eagle-dance” en zijn onvergetelijke “Hoop-dance”, de topper van zijn show. Quentin Pipestem heeft hier al veel prijzen mee gewonnen.
Deze zeer getalenteerde Indiaanse artiest verzorgt een uniek optreden in Sittard. Hij doet dit om de Stichting MedicineWheel te ondersteunen. Een Stichting die zich inzet om de oorspronkelijke Indiaanse culturen levend te houden en om projecten te ondersteunen in diverse reservaten.
Ga mee op reis naar de Wereld van de Oerinwoners van Canada? Dans mee!
Traditionele DANS, MUZIEK, VERHALEN!
Inmiddels zijn er al zo'n 15 dozen met in totaal al zo'n 150 kilo voornamelijk babykleding, babyartikelen, peuterkleding, handdoeken en speelgoed kunnen verzenden naar Pine Ridge Reservation, Wanblee, South Dakota. Ook hebben we directe hulp kunnen bieden aan een moeder met kinderen die al meer dan een half jaar verstoken was van water, bij de noodzakelijke reparatie van een waterleiding.
We willen hierbij iedereen bedanken die dit mogelijk gemaakt heeft door donateur te worden of door een T-shirt of Medicijnwiel bij ons te kopen !
LAKOTA
Lakota Freedom Delegation in Washington D.C.
http://www.lakotafreedom.com
MEDIA RELEASE
Immediate Release: 19 December 2007
Media Inquiries:
Naomi Archer, Communications Liaison (828) 230-1404 lakotafree @gmail.com or
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Freedom! Lakota Sioux Indians Declare Sovereign Nation Status
Threaten Land Liens, Contested Real Estate Over Five State Area in U.S.West
Dakota Territory Reverts back to Lakota Control According to U.S., International Law
Washington D.C. – Lakota Sioux Indian representatives declared sovereign nation status today in Washington D.C. following Monday's withdrawal from all previously signed treaties with the United States Government. The withdrawal, hand delivered to Daniel Turner, Deputy Director of Public Liaison at the State Department, immediately and irrevocably ends all agreements between the Lakota Sioux Nation of Indians and the United States Government outlined in the 1851 and 1868 Treaties at Fort Laramie Wyoming.
"This is an historic day for our Lakota people," declared Russell Means, Itacan of Lakota. "United States colonial rule is at its end!"
"Today is a historic day and our forefathers speak through us. Our Forefathers made the treaties in good faith with the sacred Canupa and with the knowledge of the Great Spirit," shared Garry Rowland from Wounded Knee. "They never honored the treaties, that's the reason we are here today."
The four member Lakota delegation traveled to Washington D.C. culminating years of internal discussion among treaty representatives of the various Lakota communities. Delegation members included well known activist and actor Russell Means, Women of All Red Nations (WARN) founder Phyllis Young, Oglala Lakota Strong Heart Society leader Duane Martin Sr., and Garry Rowland, Leader Chief Big Foot Riders. Means, Rowland, Martin Sr. were all members of the 1973 Wounded Knee takeover.
"In order to stop the continuous taking of our resources – people, land, water and children- we have no choice but to claim our own destiny," said Phyllis Young, a former Indigenous representative to the United Nations and representative from Standing Rock.
Property ownership in the five state area of Lakota now takes center stage. Parts of North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana have been illegally homesteaded for years despite knowledge of Lakota as predecessor sovereign [historic owner]. Lakota representatives say if the United States does not enter into immediate diplomatic negotiations, liens will be filed on real estate transactions in the five state region, clouding title over literally thousands of square miles of land and property.
Young added, "The actions of Lakota are not intended to embarrass the United States but to simply save the lives of our people".
Following Monday's withdrawal at the State Department, the four Lakota Itacan representatives have been meeting with foreign embassy officials in order to hasten their official return to the Family of Nations.
Lakota's efforts are gaining traction as Bolivia, home to Indigenous President Evo Morales, shared they are "very, very interested in the Lakota case" while Venezuela received the Lakota delegation with "respect and solidarity."
"Our meetings have been fruitful and we hope to work with these countries for better relations," explained Garry Rowland. "As a nation, we have equal status within the national community."
Education, energy and justice now take top priority in emerging Lakota. "Cultural immersion education is crucial as a next step to protect our language, culture and sovereignty," said Means. "Energy independence using solar, wind, geothermal, and sugar beets enables Lakota to protect our freedom and provide electricity and heating to our people."
The Lakota reservations are among the most impoverished areas in North America, a shameful legacy of broken treaties and apartheid policies. Lakota has the highest death rate in the United States and Lakota men have the lowest life expectancy of any nation on earth, excluding AIDS, at approximately 44 years. Lakota infant mortality rate is five times the United States average and teen suicide rates 150% more than national average. 97% of Lakota people live below the poverty line and unemployment hovers near 85%.
"After 150 years of colonial enforcement, when you back people into a corner there is only one alternative," emphasized Duane Martin Sr. "The only alternative is to bring freedom into its existence by taking it back to the love of freedom, to our lifeway."
We are the freedom loving Lakota from the Sioux Indian reservations of Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana who have traveled to Washington DC to withdraw from the constitutionally mandated treaties to become a free and independent country. We are alerting the Family of Nations we have now reassumed our freedom and independence with the backing of Natural, International, and United States law. For more information, please visit our new website at www.lakotafreedom.com.
Lakota Sioux Indianen verklaren soevereine status
Vertegenwoordigers van de Lakota Sioux Indianen hebben vandaag in Washington D.C. een soevereine status uitgeroepen en verklaard dat zij zich niet langer conformeren aan de verdragen die ooit met de regering van de Verenigde Staten zijn gesloten. De opzegging van de verdragen, persoonlijk bezorgd aan Daniel Turner, plaatsvervangend directeur publieke verhoudingen op het staatsdepartement, beëindigt onmiddellijk en onherroepelijk alle overeenkomsten die in de jaren 1851 en 1868 tussen de Indiaanse Lakota Sioux Natie en de regering van de Verenigde Staten van Amerika zijn vastgelegd in de Verdragen van Fort Laramie Wyoming.
Lees de publicatie hier
Meer informatie via http://www.lakotafreedom.com
