URGENT ACTION:

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (MHA) Nation's Proposed Clean Fuels Refinery.

Written comments must arrive by August 29, 2006. The public hearings will be held July 31 through August 5, 2006. Read more...

Members of the Three Affiliated Tribes, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota have formed the "Environmental Awareness Committee" together with concerned citizens of the surrounding area. We have come together out of our deep concerns for our Children, and their developing bodies, future generations, our elders, all people, all life, the Earth, the Water & the Air.

Our Tribal Chairman has proposed a petroleum refinery to be sited within our reservation boundaries. The proposed new refinery site is located 2 miles west of the primarily non-Indian community of Makoti, ND, within the community is a school. The entire reservation has Indian has Non-Indian towns and communities with schools, several of which are located within a 35 mile radius of the proposed refinery site. They intend to start onsite construction of modular components as soon as May 2004.

The proposed refinery's proponents discount any pollution concerns raised by the people, touting "state of the art technologies" and tell us "you won't even know the refinery is there" & "there will be no adverse effects to human health or the environment". We do not believe they are telling us the truth. We are desperate and are in extreme need of help and expertise.

We hope to, through the Refinery Reform Campaign and your vast knowledge of the refining industry, uncover the truth and empower the people with the truth to rise up and stop the proposed refinery from becoming a reality to are area.

• Here is a link to the letter requesting assistance.
• Press Release Indigenous Environmental Network, Minnesota 6/5/03

Comments on the proposed oil refinery:

• Indigenous Environmental Network, Minnesota
• Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, DC (Adobe pdf file)
• Environmental Awareness Committee, Fort Berthold Reservation, ND

Press coverage of the proposed refinery:

• US Wants Oil Refineries, Native Tribes Seek Permit 12/14/05
• FIRST GRASS-ROOTS REFINERY IN U.S. SINCE DECONTROL TO FOCUS ON ULTRA-CLEAN DISTILLATE FUELS 7/18/04
• Tribal oil refinery plan raises pollution concerns 7/17/04
• Proposed New Refinery on North Dakota Tribal Lands Raises Concerns 7/15/04
• North Dakota: Three Affiliated Tribes Oppose New Refinery 3/29/04
• Environmental Awareness Committee Group opposes intended refinery 3/09/04
• Tribes Plan For $81 Million Oil Refinery (1/14/04)
• Indian Country: Voices from the earth
• Letter to Editor: Environmental Awareness Committee
• Letter to Editor: Environmental Awareness Committee (12/31/03)

Statement from the Refinery Project Developers