Furthermore, there is reclaimed water, and then there is reclaimed water. Pro-waste snow advocates have been wildly overstating the quality of the water that would be used.

I’m not against using reclaimed water (I’m actually all for it), and I’m not against progress. But I am against the stupid use of either.

There is/was no great need for Snowbowl’s expansion except from the standpoint of Snowbowl. Contrary to their repeatedly stated opinion, the resort wasn’t some grand fiscal boon to the surrounding area, it didn’t draw in loads of outside business, it simply wanted to create more snow so it could make more money.

Let us not confuse “mountain recreation” with progress. This wasn’t a case of the “needs of many”, unless you mean the many who want to ski more often.

Just remember to cut some slack for those who worship Wal-Mart and all the other things that economic advancement has brought – European style housing, the automobile, employment, and the pursuit of the so called “American Dream”.

Think carefully of those that take full advantage of this “western way of life”. Are they truly those who we are to protect by this judgment?

Perhaps reclaimed water is not good enough for educated people to reuse, and don’t kid yourself about those who do all over the world – just do the simple research – or that all the people in this environmentally challenged world should consider being more responsible and proactive in preserving what limited resources are indeed left, then perhaps you will be more comfortable with the Arizona Snowbowl being forced into using whatever potable water source is available to them – after all, the objection is a legal one that will remain as to their use of so called questionable quality reclaimed water. The fact is that this water is more environmentally “safe and pure” than many of the private and municipal sources of water in this country.

Perhaps the efforts of a very few have triumphed again, over the needs of many – not to mention the desires broader society. Pitifully, ignorance remains bliss.

I think Native Americans have allowed/suffered enough change and expansion don’t you? The simple fact is that our government controls many sites sacred to indigenous Americans, and often makes bad decisions concerning them. The goal here isn’t to stop the building of schools or churches , it is to stop the mismanagement of already “protected” sites.

It’s a tough line to walk.