Tag Archives: #NoDAPL

Enbridge whistleblower John Bolenbaugh brings his message to Lake Superior

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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.

Kalamazoo oil spill. Photo: EPA

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

John Bolenbaugh. Photo: helppa.org

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

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October 11, 2016

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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

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

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

Sunrise at Sacred Stone Camp. Photo: Rebecca Kemble

Minnesota and Wisconsin Pipeline Resistance Drives Enbridge to North Dakota

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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.

1855_Treaty_map_w_Sandpiper_route_pic

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.

routeThis 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.