December 2016

Hi Friends -

I've appreciated the support from so many of you during and after my visit and involvement with the crisis at the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. I also know there are also some of you who disagree with me on this issue, or maybe you don't have a position because you don't have all the information.

A small group at Standing Rock gathers around the world flag to pray.                          Photo by Dennis Warner

There are two elements to the discussion that got me involved. For me, it's not about whether we need the oil or any of that. Certainly, given my occupation, I rely on fossil fuels for transportation and such. That's a topic for another debate.

I'm involved because I see this as:
1. A Human Rights issue (Racism/Bullying)
2. An Environmental issue

HUMAN RIGHTS:
In 2014, the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) was denied a permit to
cross the Missouri River just north of Bismarck, North Dakota because the City of Bismarck complained it would put their water supply at risk. DAPL decided to reroute the pipeline. (Sidenote: According to the 2010 census report on the racial makeup of the city, Bismarck is 92.4% white).

DAPL rerouted the pipeline to cross the Missouri River on land that was deeded to the tribe in the 1868 Treaty at Fort Laramie, just north of the Standing Rock Reservation. Here's a map. The Standing Rock community depends on the river for their water supply, just like their neighbor to the north, Bismarck. When the rerouting was proposed in 2014, the Standing Rock community immediately objected, but their voices were not heard. If it's not safe for Bismarck (92.4% white) and it's not safe for Nebraska and Kansas (permits previously denied for safety reasons), why is it safe for the Native Americans?

To many of us, this is blatant racism. It's also bullying behavior as the Native Americans are small in number and have no political clout, at least compared to DAPL builders (Energy Partner Transfer) with their billions of dollars and plethora of lawyers that could drain the reservation funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS:
1: DAPL bypassed environmental laws that would have required a full EIP (Environmental Impact Statement) by finding a loophole in the law. They treated the pipeline as a bunch (100's) of small pipelines which fall under less scrutiny than the project as a whole, which is to run 1,100 miles from western North Dakota to southern Illinois. Hardly a small pipeline.

DAPLwas never required to do an EIP. Currently, that's why the Army Corp of Engineers has put a temporary halt on the project, until a proper EIP can be completed, recommending that the pipeline again be rerouted. DAPL is balking at having to do any of this. If DAPL was concerned for the environment and had full confidence in their product being delivered safely, they should not mind having to do at the minimum a full EIP to alleviate stress.

2. The company is charge of the pipeline safety is Sunoco, who has one of the worst safety records in the business with over 200 recorded pipeline oil leaks since 2010.

3. Clean water is essential for all of us to survive. Right? These pipelines all leak, they all break sooner or later. The threat of an oil leak or pipeline break is too great to risk the health of the Missouri River (the longest river in the U.S.) and the people who depend on it.

12/4/2015 Standing Rock celebrating the Army Corp of Engineers order to halt DAPL, telling Energy Partners Transfer to reroute the Pipeline.                       Photo by Mark Rufalo

CONCLUSION: So this isn't about politics, being a republican or democrat or something else. At least it shouldn't be. Corporate profits should never trump human rights or crucial environmental safety. These are moral issues that should transcend party politics. Who we are as a people is defined by what we stand for. What do we value and what kind of example we want to set for our kids. My life will continue to be dedicated to both human rights and protecting the environment. I hope you will join me. Thank you. Peace,    Dennis To read my declaration presented at Standing Rock, click here.