Resort started making snow this week
FLAGSTAFF (AP) – The latest lawsuit challenging snowmaking at the Arizona Snowbowl just north of Flagstaff has been withdrawn.
The suit filed by the Hopi tribe alleged snowmaking using reclaimed wastewater might harm an endangered plant.
The tribe's chairman said Wednesday that the tribe was meeting with the Justice Department and Forest Service and wants a review of snowmaking's effect on the plant. That's planned anyway.
The Arizona Daily Sun reports it was the last active lawsuit challenging snowmaking.
Snowbowl fought suits for years from environmentalists and native tribes opposed to its snowmaking plans but won in every case.
It began making snow with reclaimed wastewater at the beginning of this week and plans to use it later this season and in future years to build a base for skiing and snowboarding.
Reclaimed wastewater has been treated to remove most of the impurities, and is also used for such purposes as watering golf courses and community parks, but it's not considered clean enough to drink.
