Arguments on the Legalization of Snow Making Using Dirty Water - Case Study Example

Fadel Alhayki Prof. Michele Beier Save the Peaks December 6 The United s is a home to many tribes living in villages on mountain peaks and untouched, virgin forests like the San Francisco Peak. Ultimately, the tribes are quite sensitive to their homes as they take the peaks to be sacred and under no circumstances, should there be any violation of this fact. This perhaps serves as one of the main controversies involved in the preservation of the San Francisco peak. This apparently led to the pioneering of Save the Peaks Movement. This paper will provide an in-depth discussion of the opposing arguments on the legalization of snow making using dirty water (Beverly, web). In addition, it will also focus on the disadvantages and advantages of such a development. The paper also debates and strongly opposes the idea of using dirty water to form artificial snow, in addition to protecting the affected peaks. The Peaks, according to the article “Saving the San Francisco Peaks,” towers at about 12, 000 feet above Flagstaff, Arizona found at the western edge of Navajo lands (Duncklee et al., web). For quite a long time, the indigenous tribes located within the Northern Arizona regarded it as a holy place. However, in disregard of that fact, current plans are underway to construct a pipeline, 14miles in length bound to reach the top of theses peaks. This project aims at creating a wastewater reservoir for a ski resort that will make artificial snow. Technology is on an uphill scale as now man can defy nature and come up with artificial snow; however, this does not render him any right to interfere with what the people hold strongly as their sacred place. In accordance to Yavapai-Apache tribe chairman Vincent Randall, “San Francisco Peaks is one of the sacred places where the earth brushes up against the unseen world” (Grant, 118) This is a crystal indicator of the belief inhabitants of the San Francisco Peaks bear towards the sacredness of the region. Moreover, the site forms a magnificent view to anyone who has a chance to see it. Moreover, as for the inhabitants, it is more than the view; it is where earth meets the heavens because of its towering height. Ultimately, it is a place where the earth connects with the gods. It is also within their strong belief that the Peaks serve as a connection to the sacred world of the gods. In addition, the peaks’ traditional Navajo name is “doo’ko’oosliidd’ which literally translates as “shining on top.” The Hopi forms another tribe that inhabits the San Francisco Peaks who believe that their ancestral kachina spirits live atop those peaks. In addition, they believe that these spirits cause rain and snow to fall. It is in their belief too that natural snowmaking cycles may cease if the kachinas spirits witness humans making snow (Fleck, 67). This may sound invalid to many, but it is my belief that we ought to respect the cultural and religious beliefs of inhabitants of a region. In turn, will this not only preserve the inhabitants’ beliefs but also preserve the natural environment. In relation to this, I believe the artificial snowmaking process will disrupt the natural process of snowmaking and bring about various effects such as disruption of temperatures. The peaks have not only been taken as places of worship but also as a wealthy source of for medicine men who tour them in search of traditional cures in concurrence to carrying out healing ceremonies. The peaks are a source of natural bounty and taking this natural source of medicine away is not only unfair but also inhuman, as the inhabitants know no other source. Currently, nature is experiencing depletion and extinction, and many are fighting to salvage the remaining part, however, destroying the peaks in the name of a manmade resort is not one of the accepted ways. Today, many known species of plants and animals are endangered; some of them with known medicinal value and can be found at these mountains. If the resort establishment is seen through, various species, both plants and animals, will go extinct. In the article, “Protest Halts Snowbowl Destruction On San Francisco Peaks”, it was reported that protests broke out in the morning of June16 2011 when a large group of people prohibited the construction of the ski area on the Holy san Francisco Peaks (Ahni, web). The extents of the protest were high as evidenced by the fact that some people locked themselves on the heavy machinery used for construction. In another case, some joined each other inside the pipeline trenches in a protest against the construction of the resort. Despite the argument that many would put forward that the protests are not valid, one should rather look deeper into their reason. On deducing more on this issue, such serious protests cannot just happen without a justified reason. I find the Forest Service responsible for all the trouble the Peaks are facing. This can be attributed to the fact that they approved the construction of the resort without taking into consideration the inhabitants of the region and the dangers facing the peaks. Inhabitants have the right to ownership hence this is a total violation of the constitution. In a statement issued by Kristopher Barney and one of those six individuals who locked themselves up in the construction area, they said, “this is a continuation of years of prayers and resistance,” (Lavely, web). Furthermore, they pointed out a vital fact about the San Francisco Peaks, of how they have always been a holy place, in addition to their exquisite features, and pristine condition. Moreover, the Peaks have always been one of America’s most admirable heritages, and it is quite astonishing to see authorities giving a go-ahead to their destruction. In my strong opinion, I believe that people should look out for and cherish their country’s heritages. The San Francisco Peaks Source: http://womensearthalliance.blogspot.com/2011/07/saving-san-francisco-peaks.html The photograph above is a depiction of the beautiful and pristine San Francisco Peaks. The photograph alone gives the viewer an exquisite presentation of the peaks. As time pass, different generations come into existence; however, with such beauties as the one above, we will only be able to present to future generations within pictures and not in live form. This can only happen if we do not fight to preserve them and allow ourselves or other fellow men destroy them. I also believe that previous constructions that replaced natural sites should act as evidence of denaturing the natural environment. From industries to other manmade features have all led to degradation of nature; thus, this should be a lesson for all of us and strongly defend the San Francisco Peaks from undergoing the same. It should also be taken into consideration that along with the development of the ski resort is the need for strong maintenance policies. In addition, there is the need for preservation policies to continue promoting the natural look of the peaks. This is difficult to achieve because as the ski report is open to the public, subsequently resulting to more degradation of the natural environment considering more wastes, more people and more structures that may follow the construction of the pipelines and the ski resort. We should not allow this to happen as on comparison to an untouched beach, when resorts, hotels and buildings are constructed on its shores, its wild life dies; not to mention a problem on garbage and waste management that follows. Fight and protest against using the land for manmade things in the San Francisco Peaks begun back in 1970s. During this period, the inhabitants of the region fought against the privatisation of public land on the hart Prairie. Currently, the development by the Arizona Snowbowl Resort Limited Partnership envisions on creating an artificial mechanism for making artificial snow for its ski resort. It is vital to note that the resort intends to form snow artificially; to me this is a worrying matter as to what may occur to the ecological surroundings in the vicinity. The fact that they intend to spray grey water over the fragile landscape and habitats of various species is more than worrying as to what will become of the surrounding. Despite the assurance of a consistent snow pack, of which some people, including the businesspersons rejoiced to, we should not disregard the negative implications of these actions to the natural environment. (Duncklee et al., web). Through research, it is clear that when trees, plants and other animal species get exposure to grey water they can die leading to potential extinction. In turn, this will cause a detrimental effect on the ecosystem. Albeit, water treatment may be a solution to purifying the dirty water, science is popular with errors hence the purifying process may have its demerits. These demerits may affect the environment negatively. When this artificial snow does melt due to the varying weather conditions, it is subject to contaminate the various water reservoirs in the surrounding area. Because it is dirty, it may end up infecting the users of this water, thus diminishing their health conditions. Health is of importance to all, and no one bears the right to put others’ health at stake no matter the circumstance; hence, they should not use dirty water to make snow, which will end up contaminating the waters nearby. Economy is of immense importance to a country, and many would argue it out that the resort generates more income for the country as it promotes tourism. In relation to this, the country gets more domestic and international tourists, eventually boosting the economy growth. Creation of job opportunities is also a fruit conceived by creation of the resort. Subsequently, many may take it that the country’s economy will be more stable than before due to increased revenue from the resort. However, it is evident that all these are at the expense of nature. ECHOES, one the organizations based in Flagstaff called in for a campaign aimed at stopping the Flagstaff city from making sales of contaminated water to Arizona Snowbowl, which makes the manmade snow. I do believe that on thorough scrutiny of how much, such resorts contribute to the economy; it will not be shocking to find out that their contributions are minimal (ECHOES, web). It is evident that a country requires tourism as one of its vital sources of income, hence would invest in anything that attracts tourists, both domestic and international. Skiing is a sport that attracts dozens of tourists in countries that experience snowing. With sites such as the San Francisco Peaks, the country would generate ways of maintaining them if not developing them. The country’s aim would be to maintain the inflow of tourists and increase it if possible. Science has provided what may seemingly be the best solution for maintaining the tourists’ inflow, the artificial snow. The artificial snow is an all year supply of snow through man’s scientific ways of generating it with the use of dirty water as the main source. This bears the issue of concern, the negative effects the dirty water will have on the surrounding. Moreover, the negative effects nature will face whilst the snow, and resorts develop. In relation to the same, the peaks chosen as sites for the ever-snowing resorts are holy grounds to the inhabitants of these regions. It is their belief that such interferences are a violation of their human rights and their cultural beliefs. In addition, the inhabitants strongly believe that nature is lovely with its current state and interference of natural processes such as snowing will disrupt the ecosystem cycle. Snowing is a natural process, which occurs occasionally, thus, as a proposed solution to the dire need of the country to realize income and at the same time preserve the peaks, they should do away with the artificial snow. This means that skiing activities will only be carried out during snowing seasons. During these seasons, tourists’ visit will increase the country’s revenue, and jobs will be on an increase. It is also vital that we strive to respect the holiness of the peaks and in turn, respect nature. Therefore, I heed all to seek to salvage nature and avoid manufacture of snow, which will deter all from using unclean water. This will preserve our heritage and natural source of various things such as medicines. Works cited Ahni. Protest Halts Snowbowl Destruction On San Francisco Peaks. 2011. Web. December 7 2011. Beverly Gary. Water is life. 2011. Web. December 6 2011. Duncklee John, Taylor Walter, Taylor Nancy, Wilson Richard & Wilson Jean. Save the Peaks. 2005. Web. December 6 2011. ECHOES. Save the Peaks campaign to stop city sale of waste water for snowmaking initiated. 2006. Web. December 7 2011. Fleck Richard. Breaking Through the Clouds. Colorado: Pruett Publishing, 2004 Grant Ruth. In Search of Goodness. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011. Print. Lavely, Beth. Protest Halts Snowbowl Waste water Pipeline Construction End Destruction and Desecration of Holy San Francisco Peaks. 2011. Web. December 6 2011. Mathews, Sandra. American Indians in the early West. California: ABC-CLIO, 2008. Print.     Read More