1997 RESOLUTIONS
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FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS
1997 FWOC Resolution
No. 20:
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OPPOSITION TO THE MOUNT GRAHAM TELESCOPE PROJECT
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Mount Graham, located 60
miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, has an elevation of over 11,000
feet and contains more life zones than any other mountain in North
America. It is an unique ecosystem that sustains over 20 species
of plants and animals found nowhere else. It harbors a
magnificent relic stand of ancient spruce/fir forest, which is the
critical habitat for the Mt. Graham red squirrel, a federally listed
endangered species.
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Mount Graham is also the
most sacred site for the San Carlos Apache tribe, whose reservation is
at the base of the mountain. The mountain is an integral part of
Apache spirituality and healing arts, involving the special herbs,
water and life of the mountain, all of which are necessary for the
performance of certain traditional Apache ceremonies. It is also
the site of a number of traditional Apache burials.
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The University of Arizona,
located in Tucson, has long been in the "astronomy business," not only
operating a number of observatories, but also actually manufacturing
and selling to other astronomers the ground glass mirrors which are
used
in all observatories. In the mid 1980's, it searched for a site
for a new "nest" of telescopes which would be close enough to Tucson to
take prospective customers for their mirrors and show them one in
actual operation. Despite the fact that there were 38 better
sites in and around Arizona, Mt. Graham was selected because of its
proximity to potential customers.
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This site selection was
bitterly opposed by both Apaches and environmentalists. So the
University, with the aid of their Congressional delegation, got the
project exempt from all environmental laws by a rider to the 1997
appropriation bill. The President's Council on Historic
Preservation declared the project in violation of the National Historic
Preservation Act. Nevertheless, the telescope promoters have
applied for a large grant from the National Science Foundation to
continue their building program.
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The Federation of Western
Outdoor Clubs goes on record as being in total opposition to the Mount
Graham telescope project, because of its abuse and misuse of
governmental power, its serious impact on an endangered species and a
rare ancient forest, its violation of due process and its desecration
of an Apache sacred site. We urge the National Science Board to
withhold National Science Foundation funding from this and any other
project that avoids full compliance with our Nation's environmental and
cultural protection laws. We urge our friends in the
environmental community in Italy and Germany to assist in helping to
end support in Germany and Italy for this Project.
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