The earliest contact with the San Carlos Apaches regarding the MGIO occurred in 1985. Tribal Chairman Ned Anderson was requested, as part of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) process, to provide comment about "impact that the construction of an observatory on Mt. Graham (in the Pinaleno Mountains) would have on the traditional religious practices and beliefs of members" of the tribe. No response was received.
In October, 1986, the U. S. Forest Service mailed copies of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement to all Arizona Indian tribes and elected officials, including the San Carlos Apache Tribal Chairman. In response, a post card requesting a copy of the Final Environmental Impact Statement was returned by the San Carlos Apache Tribe without comment. When the final EIS was completed in 1988, a copy was sent to the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council as requested, and in January, 1989, the U.S. Forest Service Record of Decision was also sent.
A series of contacts by UA representatives of the MGIO with the San Carlos Apaches has occurred: observatory personnel attended a San Carlos Apache Tribal Council meeting in 1989 to answer questions and to describe the scientific research that would take place on Mount Graham. Tribal members were invited to visit the Observatory site. In 1990 when the UA learned of the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council resolution opposing the observatory, efforts were made to meet with representatives of the Tribal Council to review the matter as no notice or discussion with the UA occurred prior to the Council action. In 1991 UA President Henry Koffler met with Tribal Chairman Buck Kitcheyan regarding the MGIO project. Very quickly after becoming President of the University of Arizona Manuel Pacheco sent a letter to Acting Tribal Chairman Raleigh Thompson repeating the UA's willingness to meet with the Council. In late 1991 Dr. Pacheco addressed the Tribal Council in San Carlos. In July 1993 the San Carlos Tribal Council voted to remain neutral regarding the Observatory and asked to be kept informed of the progress of the project; current contacts are maintained through the Tribal Chairman.
The MGIO has repeatedly indicated its willingness to work with religious leadership of the San Carlos Apache Tribe concerning issues of religious freedom, as it has with other tribes. Representatives of other tribes have been identified by elected tribal leadership to visit personally the area of the MGIO site. They have walked the areas that they requested and have determined that adequate protection has been provided for their religious interests.
Among the concerns expressed by San Carlos Apache individuals who regard the mountain as sacred are access for collecting herbs and waters for religious ceremonies, desecration of sacred land by construction of buildings, and abuse of the public process administered by federal agencies to solicit comment of citizens. The MGIO has offered to work with those who wish access to the area adjacent to the observatory site and remains committed to that offer. Construction of the observatory is a minor addition to the summer homes, the man- made fishing lake at the end of a state road, and many transmission towers which are located on the mountain. The public process involving citizen comment has been determined by Federal District Court and the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to be in compliance with the applicable laws.
The authority to build the observatory that has been confirmed in court is based on meeting the legal obligations regarding notification and requirements of the federal administrative process. For the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the UA to continue the mutually beneficial cooperation that has developed over the years and for development of other partnerships that are based on respect and cultural understanding, legal requirements are not sufficient. Consequently, the Mount Graham International Observatory and its partner institutions will continue to address cultural concerns.