Bad River Band Denies Renewal of Enbridge Line 5 Grant of Easement

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Barbara With

January 5, 2017

Tribe calls for decommissioning and removal at Bad River, WI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

P.O. Box 39 Odanah, Wisconsin 54861

CONTACT: Dylan Jennings
Bad River Tribal Council DylanJennings@badriver-nsn.gov (715) 348-6594

Odanah, WI, January 5, 2017- The Bad River Tribal Council passed a formal resolution Wednesday evening, January 4th that established the Tribes decision not to renew its interests in the grant of easement for rights-of-way of Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 crude oil pipeline through the Bad River Reservation. Furthermore, it calls for the decommissioning, and removal of the pipeline from all Bad River lands and watershed.

Bad River Watershed, including the Kakagon Sloughs

Formerly known as Lakehead Pipeline Company, Enbridge sought renewal of rights of way with the Band for the existing line that is now 64 years old. 15 Individual grant of easement rights of way for Line 5 expired in 2013, however, Bad River had reacquired interests in 11 of the 15 parcels of land within the grant of easement rights of way. “As many other communities have experienced, even a minor spill could prove to be disastrous for our people. We depend upon everything that the creator put here before us to live mino-bimaadiziwin, a good and healthy life.” said Bad River Tribal Chairman Robert Blanchard. He remarks in the Tribal Council’s decision, “We will work with our native and non-native communities to make sure that Line 5 does not threaten rights of people living in our region, and we will reach out to federal, state and local officials to evaluate how to remove Line 5, and we will work with the same communities and officials to continue developing a sustainable economy that doesn’t marginalize indigenous people”

The Band has directed Tribal staff to begin planning for the Line 5 removal project development and the environmental issues/hazards that exist with removal of old pipelines including hazards response and health study, pipeline contents recycling and disposal, and surface restoration. “These environmental threats not only threaten our health, but they threaten our very way of life as Anishinaabe. We all need to be thinking of our future generations and what we leave behind for them.” Says Tribal Council Member Dylan Jennings.

With over 7,000 members, the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians is located on an over 124,000-acre reservation in an area within Ashland and Iron Counties on the south shore of Lake Superior (known by the tribe as Gichi Gami). The Ojibwe people have a long and rich heritage throughout the Great Lakes region and at Odanah on Lake Superior prior to European traders, missionaries and settlers and continuing to today. Treaties signed by eleven Ojibwe Tribes ceded territory in the region, including what is currently the upper one third of the State of Wisconsin. Learn more about the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians on their website, badriver-nsn.gov.

Enbridge whistleblower John Bolenbaugh brings his message to Lake Superior

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Barbara With

John Bolenbaugh is coming to the Chequamegon Bay area for a two-day intensive to share his experiences as a former clean-up worker for S.E.T Environmental and to tell the story of how he became a whistleblower for the largest tar sands oil spill in North American history.

The former sub-contractor for Enbridge will discuss the catastrophic Kalamazoo River tar sands pipeline spill in 2010 in Michigan, and his successful efforts to expose the company’s attempts to cover-up their incomplete and shoddy clean up work.

Bolenbaugh’s truth telling forced Enbridge to re-clean several dozen areas that had been approved as 100% clean by Enbridge, the EPA and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. His exposure forced the EPA to demand that Enbridge re-clean the covered up areas and re-dredge the river at an estimated cost of $600,000,000.

John comes to the Lake Superior region to take part in a series of Community Conversations with local citizens to educate and inspire participation in a grass roots effort to take action to protect our water from experiencing a disaster resulting from a pipeline spill.

Monday, January 9, 2017

Bad River Lodge & Casino, Event Center, 73370 U.S. Highway 2 Odanah
12 PM – 3 PM: Bad River luncheon welcoming John followed by presentation
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Pot Luck & Bad River families Community Conversations continue
6:30 PM: Video presentation

Black Cat Coffeehouse, 211 Chapple Ave, Ashland
4 PM – 5 PM: Ashland Community Conversation

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Blue Wave Inn, 2521 Lake Shore Dr W, Ashland
11 AM – 12:30 PM: Brunch with John on beautiful Chequamegon Bay

Big Water Coffee Roasters, 117 Rittenhouse Ave, Bayfield
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Bayfield Community Conversations

Good Thyme Catering, Events & Lodging, 77180 State Highway 13, Washburn
3:00– 5:30 PM: AshWaBay Community Conversations, dinner & movie presentation

Ashland City Council Meeting, City Hall, 601 Main Street West, Ashland, Council Chambers
6:15 PM: John addresses Ashland City Council

Legendary Waters Lodge, 37600 Red Cliff Campground Rd, Bayfield, Main Floor Premiere Suite
7 PM – 9 PM: Red Cliff welcomes John followed by presentation, movie & refreshments

Click HERE to RSVP to events

These events are being sponsors by:
Bad River Tribal Council
Bad River Natural Resources
AERC
Legendary Waters Lodge
Good Thyme Catering, Events and Lodging
Flame and Stone Studio
Blue Wave on the Bay
Bayfield IGA
Families & friends of Bad River Anishnabe
Anishnabe Ogichidaa
Anishnabe Ogichidaakwe
Black Cat Coffeehouse
Individuals and businesses of the Greater Chequamegon Bay

Madison Common Council Alder Rebecca Kemble Arrested at Standing Rock by Dane County Law Enforcement

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Barbara With

October 11, 2016

Dane County law enforcement preparing to arrest water protectors at Standing Rock camp. Photo: Patricia Hammel

On October 10, 2016 Madison Common Council Alder Rebecca Kemble was arrested in Cannon Ball, ND where she was delivering a Resolution of Support to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their stand to protect themselves from the Dakota Access Pipeline. The resolution was signed unanimously by the Council.

According to an eye witness, also from Madison, arresting officers were Dane County law enforcement, sent to North Dakota at the request of Republican North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple.

According to Cap Times, 10 Dane County sheriff’s officers were sent to Morton County, North Dakota to assist with the water protectors who have gather at Cannon Ball, site of the Standing Rock Sioux water protector encampment.

Dakota originally asked for 40 deputies, which Mahoney said was not feasible for Dane County. Other Wisconsin agencies, including the State Patrol, the Department of Natural Resources and four other sheriff’s offices are sending staff to make up the difference.

Photo: Patricia Hammel

On September 21, 2016, Madison Common Council passed the resolution to support the Standing Rock Sioux and the Sacred Stone resistance camp. Started in April with a hand full of people, the camp has grown to over 3,000, with support from over 200 indigenous tribes from around the world.

“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison, stand in support of the Indigenous opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline and call on all residents of Madison to raise awareness about this important struggle for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice and to support the Sacred Stone Camp efforts in any way they can; and,

FINALLY, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Madison calls upon the United States and the Army Corps of Engineers to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of the Standing Rock Sioux and any other tribe whose resources could be impacted by the pipeline prior to taking any federal action regarding the DAPL that would harm or destroy tribal ancestral lands, waters and sacred sites.”

Rebecca Kemble, District 18 Alder

Kemble spent the night in jail with over 20 other peaceful protectors who were arrested and is expected to be released today. The public is encouraged to call Dane County Sheriff Mahoney and County Executive Parisi and asked why Dane County law enforcement have been sent to North Dakota and are now arresting Dane county citizens who are peacefully protecting the water.

Sheriff Mahoney 608-284-6170.

County Executive Parisi 608-266-4114

Donate to help with water protector legal funds here.

Read more about the Standing Rock Sioux and their journey to protect the water here.

Sunrise at Sacred Stone Camp. Photo: Rebecca Kemble

Minnesota and Wisconsin Pipeline Resistance Drives Enbridge to North Dakota

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Barbara With

On August 1, 2016 Enbridge, Inc. announced that they were investing in the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), and that once the deal was done, they would be abandoning the Sandpiper Line that was to run through northern Minnesota and the White Earth Reservation, and hook up with the Twin 66 that cuts across Wisconsin.

Over the past several years, a well-organized resistance led by Winona LaDuke and Honor the Earth has forced Enbridge to abandon the Sandpiper Pipeline. DAPL, however, is being met with an even greater resistance, as members of First Nation tribes are gathering in unprecedented numbers at the Standing Rock Sioux’s Sacred Stone Camp, a water protector camp at the site of where the DAPL is slated to cross beneath the Missouri River. What started as a small group in April has grown to 1500-2000 people from all over the world who have come to stand united in defense of the water.

This summer, another group of water protectors walked the Twin 66 pipeline, Enbridge’s project that was to run through Wisconsin. With the Sandpiper all but abandon, expansion on the Twin 66 is likely to halt as well. But water protectors spoke at a press conference on July 6, 2016 on the site of the Enbridge/Namekagon River crossing. Ironically, it was there that Gaylord Nelson came in the 1960s to announce the Namekagon River being named as a wild and historic river and protected by federal laws.

Enbridge has not yet filed for withdrawal of its application of the Sandpiper line, so it’s not done yet. They will have to file withdrawal, and then there will be comment period, then Public Utilities Commission will address their request at a meeting, hopefully accept the withdrawal with prejudice—meaning that they can’t apply again. That’s what must be pushed for in the comment period, that PUC allow withdrawal, but only “withdrawal with prejudice.”

A hearing is being held in Washington DC on August 24th to determine the outcome of the current standoff in North Dakota. The Standing Rock Sioux filed a motion for preliminary injunction to force the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers to withdraw its approval for the project.

After that, members of the camp will be prepared to dig into their resistance and prepare for a long winter.

Sacred Water Sacred Land Pipeline Walk Cuts Through the Heart and Soul of Wisconsin

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Barbara With

June 25, 2016 by Paul DeMain

Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation is marked in orange boundary. The pipeline easement is the straight black line righting diagonal and cuts through LCO. The new easement for #61 and #13 runs down the reservation border outside the borders. The Enbridge pumping facility is about 1/4 mile north of where the original easement in black crosses right of way road (yellow). The tribe receives no money for the easement or facility on their property.

Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation is marked in orange boundary. The pipeline easement is the straight black line running diagonally through LCO. The new easement for #61 and #13 runs outside and along the reservation border. The Enbridge pumping facility is about 1/4 mile north of where the original easement in black crosses right of way road (yellow). The tribe receives no money for the easement or facility on their property.

The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Tribe will be hosting lodging and meals for those walking on the 33 Days on Twin #66 Pipelines Awareness Walk on July 3-7th, 2016 at the Honor The Earth Pow Wow Grounds (HTE).

The public is welcome to join them as they walk a 15-mile section each day from Ladysmith to Iamalone (July 3), from Iamalone to Meteor (7/4), from Meteor to Stone Lake (7/5), from Stone Lake the Hayward (7/6), and from Hayward to Gordon (7/7).

Walkers will be transported to and from HTE grounds to the walk starting site each day and back at the end of the day.

July 3rd and 4th: Maryellen Baker is hosting the evening meals at her Anishinaabe Culture Center home from 6-8 PM. If any friends and helpers want to contribute to her efforts, please feel free to call her, or go and help.

Tuesday, July 5th, 2 PM: Press Briefing and Tour of Lines #61, #13, and the Arrowhead Transmission line on the LCO Reservation. Meet at Summit Lake Road in the southwest corner of the reservation, and will include the old easement site at Highbridge on Right of Way Road and the Enbridge Pumping Station on the LCO Reservation. The LCO tribe does not get any payment for either the pipeline easement that runs through the reservation or the pumping station site. See maps below for location.

Flags at the entry of the Harvest Education Learning Project (HELP) Camp, 2014. Photo: Paul DeMain

Flags at the entry of the Harvest Education Learning Project (HELP) Camp, Penokee Hills, 2014. Photo: Paul DeMain

Tuesday, July 5th, 6-10pm: Potluck, concert and reunion for the Harvest Education Learning Project (HELP) Camp. 6-8 PM: Melvin Gaspar is cooking the main course at the HTE powwow grounds. Contributions of veggies, desserts, fruits, liquids are welcome. Dinner will include Fry Bread, Deer Meat with Gravy/Boiled Potato and Steamed Veggies. 7-10 PM: Local speakers and music by Skip Jones, Frank Montana, Michael Buchor, Dennis & Cleo, and others.

Wednesday, July 6th, 2 PM: Press Conference, Namekagon River Pipeline Crossing – Stinnet Landing Rd. Six miles South of Hayward on Hwy. 63 right before Highway E, just north of the Enbridge/ Namekagon River Crossing. Featuring LCO Vice Chair Rusty Barber, Walk organizer Julie de la Terre, Harvard Economist Winona LaDuke, activist Sandy Lyon, and several other speakers. It was here that Gaylord Nelson came in the 1960s to announce the Namekagon River being named as a wild and historic river and protected by federal laws. See maps below for location.

Wednesday, July 6th, 6-8 PM: Dinner. Mel is cooking up the main course which may include Fern Soup with Dumplings, (Waagogoyn) Sunfish Fillets, Corn on the Cob and Mac n Cheese at the Honor The Earth Pow Wow Grounds. Pipeline walkers will be first in line.

Thursday, July 7th, 6-8 PM: Evening dinner at the HTE grounds will be assisted by potluck from members of the Sawyer County and Lac Courte Oreilles Democratic Party.

Maps of Events

Photo from the Pipeline Walk

Day 17: Pipeline walker John Endrizzi took these photo with this commentary:

“2.9 miles from my home, Enbridge has excavated a part of its pipeline 61 corridor. The site is located just north of Akron Drive about 1 mile west of Highway 13 in the Town of Rome. (See Map).

The line in question is the eastern most in the bundle. It is color coded with a yellow marker. At one time, Enbridge used the line numbers on its petroleum markers. I believe that this line may be either 14 or 6A. They are the oldest lines in the bundle. By the way, these lines all travel under Lake Arrowhead. ( less than two miles south of the “repair”) Please share this widely.”

Day 9:

Below is Doug Cole (L) and Bill Greendeer, Ho-Chunk tribal member. Cole is the chairman of the Town of Wyocena and has been spending all his money fighting the pipeline.

Myron Buchholz, running against Ron Kind.

For the entire story, please visit the 33 Days on Twin #66 and see how you can get involved.

United In Defense of The Water

Water is Life

Category Archives: Community Rights