Letter to Editor

Indian Country Today
December 31, 2003 issue
Vol.23, No. 29, page 2.

Dear Editor,

Tex Hall, the Tribal Chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribe's/Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nations and the current Chairman of the NCAI, is pushing forward the building of a proposed Oil Refinery within the Fort Berthold Reservation Boundaries. The people of the T.A.T have not been given a voice within this decision.

"The Oil Refining Industry is the single largest source of Benzene emissions & one of the largest sources of air pollution in the United States. Their toxic emissions are found to cause cancer, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, increased respiratory disease, decreased lung function and premature death." ⁽¹⁾ "Petroleum refineries present major health hazards for human communities living near refineries and for marine and terrestrial ecosystems where they are situated." ⁽²⁾

In our direct proximity we are already subjected to the toxic effects of several coal/lignite energy industries. The incidence of Asthma, Cancer, etc. diagnosis is extreme amongst the Indian and non-Indian alike. Mercury contamination of the fish in North Dakota is to such a degree that Fish Consumption Advisory has been issued by the ND State Department of Health.

The proposed Oil Refinery will increase more toxic pollution to our Mother Earth, the Air-the Breath of our Creator and the Water-that sustains all life. Further creating & negatively contributing to all the serious health conditions that already plague the people. The infants and children's health and development are most affected by the toxic pollution. I believe to stand by and do nothing in opposition to the proposed refinery is to allow our Tribal Chairman; Tex Hall, Tribal Council Representatives and the proponents of the proposed refinery to poison and kill our Children, People, Future Generations and to destroy our Mother Earth.

There are other means of economic development available to us that are non-polluting. We have tremendous Wind Energy potential. Within S.522>TitleXXVI-Indian Energy "Sec. 2601. FINDINGS; PURPOSES. (7) The Department of Energy estimates that the wind resources of the Great Plains could meet 75 percent of the electricity demand in the contiguous 48 states.⁽³⁾

There is potential loss of sovereignty issues already surfacing within the development of the proposed refinery. ND State taxation issues, non-Indian proximity infrastructure development, maintenance, use of and deterioration associated. Already, there has been concern from North Dakota's Ward County Board of Commissioners in their loss of property tax associated with the fee to trust land transfer of the proposed oil refinery site. In a Minot Daily News front page article dated Wed., November 5, 2003 they address those concerns and others, including, the impact the project could have on county roads from increased traffic. They expressed intent to ask the Three Affiliated Tribes to make payment in lieu of the taxes if the land is transferred to trust. So it begins.............

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(1) The Special Investigations Division, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives report: "Oil Refineries Fail to Report Millions of Pounds of Harmful Emissions." Dated: November 10, 1999.

(2) The Center for Health and Global Environment, Harvard Medical School report, "Oil-A life cycle analysis of its health and environmental impacts." Dated: March 2002

(3) http://thomas.loc.gov/

Submitted by: Jodie White/Member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nations (701)743-4589 & The Environmental Awareness Committee

ALL THINGS ARE CONNECTED! WHATEVER BEFALLS THE EARTH, BEFALLS THE CHILDREN OF THE EARTH-CHIEF SEATTLE

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