Mille Lacs Band Voices Concerns Over Pipeline Project

Watersheds, Rice Beds Main Concern Over Pipeline Project

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Hundreds of tribe members filled the East Lake Community Center in McGregor to weigh in on the proposed Sandpiper pipeline. 

The Enbridge pipeline would carry around a quarter million barrels of crude oil per day from North Dakota to Superior. 

Enbridge considers the pipeline a safe way to move that oil. 

But, the Mille Lacs Band is worried about the potential impact on their watersheds and rice beds. 

Tribal officials say they are dissatisfied with the lack of communication from the state and are asking the Minnesota Public’s Utilities Commission to take more time to hear their views on the project.

“We want to be heard,” said the tribe’s commissioner of natural resources, Susan Klapel.

Although the currently proposed route would not run directly through the Mille Lacs Reservation, tribe members are concerned it could affect nearby watersheds.

Klapel says the last thing they want to see is a major spill. 

“That would provide damage to our wild rice and way of life,” said Mille Lac’s Band Chief Executive, Melanie Benjamin. 

Protecting the rice beds is their main goal. 

“Any contaminants in the water would be detrimental to it’s growth and would affect our harvesting later,” said Benjamin. 

Now, tribal leaders are urging the Public Utilities Commission to consider their views when deciding whether to ok the pipeline plans. 

Enbridge spokesperson, Lorraine Little, provided the following statement before the hearing. 

“We welcome the opportunity to have a dialog with all community members along our current and proposed project routes. We are open to meeting and consulting with all stakeholders and, in fact, we have invited every affected Tribal government to meet with us. Most, but not all, have chosen to engage in those discussions. We look forward to continuing to engage with the Tribes as well as all of the people who live, work and play in the areas where we operate.”

But, despite assurances from Enbridge about the pipelines safety, the band refuses to see any good in the proposed project.

Enbridge is at the very beginning stages of receiving all the permits they need to do the project. 

Friday the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a certificate of need for the Sandpiper pipeline.

While the PUC agreed 5-0 Friday that the $2.6 billion, 610-mile pipeline is necessary, they didn’t foreclose the possibility of rerouting it away from environmentally sensitive lakes, streams and wetlands in Northern Minnesota.

Enbridge Energy will still have to go through a lengthy review of its proposed route and a proposed alternative.

North Dakota officials have already approved Sandpiper. 

If all goes well, construction is expected to start in 2016.