What is it with natives and telescopes???

From: RichA (none_at_none.com)
Date: 03/29/05 

Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 22:42:14 -0500

>From cnn.com:

TUCSON, Arizona (AP) -- A tribe opposed to the construction of a
complex of seven telescopes at a mountain peak that the tribe
considers sacred filed suit against the National Science Foundation.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday by the Tohono O'odham Nation seeks an
injunction to halt construction at Kitt Peak National Observatory, and
for a judgment that the project is subject to federal historic
preservation and environmental laws.

A tribal spokeswoman said groundbreaking began in September for the
Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescoping Array System, a complex
of seven telescopes and support buildings, at the observatory.

The lawsuit said tribal officials told Kitt Peak management personnel
during meetings in 2003 the tribe opposed all further development
because construction would take place at a spiritually and culturally
significant site.

"The National Science Foundation is defiant in delaying construction
and complying with federal laws despite repeated demands by state,
federal and tribal agencies," tribal chairwoman Vivian Juan-Saunders
said in a release.

The lawsuit also names the Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical
Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory and NSF astronomical
sciences director G. Wayne Van Citters.

Calls to the Smithsonian, Kitt Peak and the National Science
Foundation seeking comment were not immediately returned.