But rather than advancing any particular religion, safeguarding Native sites "has historical value for the nation as a whole," the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said on September 1. "Native American sacred sites of historical value are entitled to the same protection as the many Judeo-Christian religious sites," Judge Betty B. Fletcher wrote.
Woodruff Butte is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Although it hasn't been listed, Arizona's policy requires anyone desiring a commercial source number to submit an environmental assessment that considers adverse effects on a potential NRHP site.