Opinion ID: 77840
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Denial of a Small Fire

Text: Finally, Smith challenges the ADOC Committee's decision to deny his request for a small fire pit. Smith's original request sought a small fire pit, approximately 9 in diameter and 9 deep, in which he would be able to light a pine fire. R2-63, Exh. K-1 at 2. The Committee granted this request only in part, allowing Smith possession of a small candle to be used in connection with his Odinist exercises. Smith contends that this decision effectuated a substantial burden on his religious exercise under section 3 of RLUIPA. We disagree. As with Smith's request for a crystal, Smith failed to present record evidence to establish the need for, or relevance of, a 9 by 9 fire pit in connection with his Odinist practices, such that the denial of this item would effectuate a substantial burden his religious observance. As noted, the ADOC did grant Smith a candle to use in his cell in his observance of Odinism. On appeal, Smith has failed to demonstrate how, if at all, the decision to limit him to a candle, rather than to a full-blown fire pit, significantly hampered his practice of Odinism. See Midrash, 366 F.3d at 1227. As with the ADOC decision on a secure worship spot, the record demonstrates that Smith remained free to engage in his religious observance under the ADOC 2003 decision, albeit limited to a candle rather than a pine fire. Moreover, like the first two requests, Smith has failed to demonstrate how the ADOC's decision to limit him to a small candle effectuated a substantial burden on his religious practice. The sources that he submitted in connection with this request alluded to the Kenaz rune being representative of the pine fire of purification. R2-63, Exh. K-1, but there was no mention of the need for a pine fire in connection with the practice of Odinism. See id.; see also R1-20, Exh. M (discussing in general how the rune symbolizes a pine tree giving heat and light); R2-61 (stating that the rune refers to the sacredness of the hearth and ritual cleansing by fire). The Chaplain found, and we agree, that the sources that Smith submitted did not show[] the necessity of [a pine] fire in connection with the Odinist rites. See R1-20, Exh. C. Failing such evidence, we are unable to find how, if at all, the denial of a pine fire pit effectuated a substantial burden on his observance of Odinism. Because Smith failed to submit evidence to establish a prima facie RLUIPA case based on the denial of the pine fire pit, the defendants-appellees were entitled to summary judgment on Smith's claim. See Midrash, 366 F.3d at 1228. In summary, having reviewed Smith's claims for injunctive relief and nominal damages under RLUIPAbased on the ADOC's denial of a crystal, a worship area, and a fire pitwe conclude that none of the three violations was sufficient to establish a prima facie claim under RLUIPA. Nor can we conclude that the Committee's disposition of Smith's three requests, taken collectively, was sufficient to establish that Smith's religious practice was significantly hampered, so as to give rise to a prima facie RLUIPA case. Accordingly, we conclude that the defendants-appellees were entitled to summary judgment. And although the district court's decision to grant summary judgment to the defendant may have been reached on the basis of qualified immunity, we may affirm the district court's decision on any adequate ground, even if it is other than the one on which the court actually relied. Parks, 43 F.3d at 613 (citation omitted). Because we conclude that summary judgment was properly entered for the defendants-appellees, we affirm the district court's summary judgment order on Smith's RLUIPA claims.