SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal challenging National Park Service policy asking visitors to avoid walking under the world's largest natural bridge because American Indians believe it's sacred.

The lawsuit over Rainbow Bridge in southern Utah was originally brought by the Phoenix-based Natural Bridge and Arch Society, but was pursued on appeal by two individuals also named in the original complaint - Evelyn Johnson and Earl DeWaal. The plaintiffs had argued the policy was an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.

Last March, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Utah federal judge's dismissal of a 2000 lawsuit challenging the National Park Service policy on the sandstone bridge. The 290-foot-high, 275-foot-wide bridge is considered sacred by the Navajo and Hopi religions.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined Tuesday to hear an appeal on the case.

The appeals court determined Johnson and DeWaal had suffered no personal injury as a result of the policy, and therefore lacked legal standing to bring the lawsuit. The court did not consider whether the policy violated the First Amendment.

In April 2002, U.S. District Judge Bruce Jenkins ruled the Park Service's request does not "coerce visitors into practicing the Native American religion associated with the belief about not walking under the Rainbow God."

Information from: The Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com