ST. PAUL, Minn-- A group of Leech Lake tribal members spoke out against the construction of an oil pipeline across their territory at the Capitol Wednesday.
They say the Canadian tar sands oil that would be transported via pipeline from Alberta, Canada to a refinery in Superior, Wisconsin is the most polluted crude oil, and they don't want to put their land and health in danger.
The Leech Lake Tribal council will meet tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. in private to discuss whether to sign a deal with the oil company.
Tribal members who oppose the pipeline say they will go to the meeting anyway, because it's supposed to be open to the public.
In 2006 Enbridge Energy, the oil company that wants to construct the pipeline, reported at least 61 oil spills totaling 5,363 barrels from transmission pipelines in Canada and the United States.
They say their long term goal is to transport crude oil in 'the safest most efficient way possible.'
A member from the Indigenous Environmental Network said Enbridge Energy is planning to pay the council $10 million if they allow construction of the pipeline.
Some Leech Lake tribal members believe their council will agree to the pipeline because the tribe is struggling financially and casinos aren't performing well.
The Public Utilities Commission approved Enbridge Energy's route for the line last week. Construction of the 36 inch-diameter pipe, to be called the Alberta Clipper, is a multi-billion dollar project according to an article published March 1st in 'Treaty One Times.'
(Copyright KARE 2009. All Rights Reserved.)
