Enbridge Pipeline Proposal

by Nik Nerburn

The local economies of the Leech Lake reservation are currently facing a difficult choice. The Alberta Clipper Pipeline Project, which would go from the Alberta oil sands in Hardisty, Canada, down to Superior, Wisconsin, is slated to go through both the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake reservation. Once in Wisconsin, the liquid hydrocarbons, otherwise known as oil, will be distributed across the Midwestern markets. The reservation communities are now weighing the options, with potential jobs and resources in one hand and the risk of leaks and spills, which would seriously affect the environment and local tourism, in the other.

The US State Department, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, recently held a series of meetings on just those issues on the Leech Lake reservation. One of them, at the Leech Lake Tribal College, was specifically about the environmental impacts and potential economic benefits the reservation now faces. In attendance were representatives from Enrbidge, the energy distribution company slated to build the pipeline, Entrix, an environmental management consultant company who put the Environmental Impact Statement together, The US Department of State, and local reservation and community members. Enbridge handed out printed CDs of the Environmental Impact Statement, along with a timeline detailing the times when public input about the project is encouraged.

Members of the community made their concerns heard. Wayne LaDuke, mayor of Cass Lake, was concerned about accountability for spills. He wanted to make sure that Enbridge would return to handle any potential leakage or spills. Denise Hamsher, the Director of Public Affairs from Enbridge, reassured him that Enbridge would be potentially responsible party for any and all cleanup. “We’re prepared to handle a worst case scenario,” said Hamsher.

Robert Shimek, another local tribal member, brought up the issue of pipeline removal. “When the oil is gone, we need a cash credit for the removal of those pipes,” he said. He said a 30 day extension of the project is needed to facilitate more discussion. Both Bob Sorenson, of the US Department of State, and Denise Hamsher of Enbridge were open to the idea of an extension.

Levi Brown, the Environmental Director at Leech Lake, was worried about the socioeconomic impact of a potential spill. A spill would affect tourism, he said, which is one of the reservation’s key sources of income. Brown also pointed out that any economic benefit would be temporary, perhaps even as little as 30 days of construction.

Other members of the community were also in attendance and made their opinions heard, most of which were in opposition to the project. However, Nadine Chase of Cass Lake pointed out that while many are opposed to the project, everyone depends on the oil and natural gas it would bring. “No matter how we feel, we all need this oil to heat our homes and fuel our cars,” she said.

The proposed pipeline would follow the existing pipeline corridor along highway 2. One of the reasons Enbridge chose the route through the reservation was because of the convenience of having an existing corridor to build in, along with the advantage of going through the Chippewa National Forest. Building through the forest requires only one federal permit, whereas purchasing land from individuals along an alternative route would require many more.