Reader protests use of Mt. Graham
Patrick Osmer, chairman of astronomy, defends OSU’s participation in the Mt. Graham project by saying that it’s a “tiny” use of a very large mountain.Actually, the telescope complex planned infringes upon the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. Apache medicine people have said that any development, thereby desecrating the summit, is like “damming a spiritual river.” The San Carlos Apache tribal council has also passed countless proclamations opposing the telescope project. This project is detrimental not only to the rights of the Apache, but also to the natural environment. The mountain’s summit is so ecologically unique that it was slated for wilderness designation before project partners lobbied to get it pulled from the AZ Wilderness Act in 1984.The National Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO) studies have confirmed that, due to Mt. Graham’s heavy cloud cover, the mountain actually offers poor visibility as well as poor viewing weather. The impact of three, seven or 18 telescopes and their accompanying roads and power lines is not “tiny,” Dr. Osmer. This project is a disgrace to the Apache and any citizen who values an undisturbed, ecologically diverse environment.
Jessica SharonEnvironmental communications
