TOMBSTONE -- A federal judge has denied a request by the city of Tombstone to repair its water supply system in the Coronado National Forest.

The Sierra Vista Herald (http://bit.ly/K6UyBY) reports that U.S. District Court Judge Frank Zapata said Monday that Tombstone failed to show in its lawsuit why the city should be given access without getting federal permits.

Gov. Jan Brewer declared a state of emergency in Tombstone last year after rock slides from the Monument Fire damaged a municipal water system in the Huachuca Mountains.

The city has made some repairs. But officials claim the Forest Service has stifled efforts by insisting Tombstone get permission before doing anymore.

The Goldwater Institute, which is representing Tombstone, is appealing the decision.