Unmanaged Facebook Post
via Rick Eichstaedt:
NEZ PERCE TRIBAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR TRIBAL POLICE AND CONTINUED OPPOSITION
TO MEGALOAD TRANSPORT THROUGH RESERVATION
August 6, 2013
For Immediate Release
LAPWAI, ID—The Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee (NPTEC) today expressed its appreciation for the overwhelming response of the tribal membership in support of its protest in opposition to the transport of megaloads on the Nez Perce Reservation staged early today at the boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation. The NPTEC also expressed its strong support of the Tribal Police Department for its handling of the “Megaload” protest.
“The Tribal Police did exactly what they are sworn to do—uphold tribal law, no matter who is involved,” NPTEC Chairman Silas C. Whitman said today. “They handled the Megaload situation professionally and with the highest integrity, doing their best to protect public safety in a potentially-volatile situation and due to their conduct no one was injured or harmed. We wish to express our unwavering support for our Tribal Police.”
Whitman pointed out that the protest, held on US Highway 95 to stop a shipment of a massive transport bound for the tar sands of Canada, was held to bring public attention to the conversion of this wild and scenic area into a high and wide industrial corridor and the Tribe’s expectations that the Forest Service should act to protect this area using its authority as outlined in an order from Federal District Court Judge Lynn Winmill on February 7, 2013. On Sunday, the NPTEC passed a resolution opposing the transport.
“It would be inconsistent for us to protest the US government’s failure to enforce a lawful court order while, at the same time, attempting to stop our Tribal Police from enforcing our laws,” Whitman said. “The members of the NPTEC willingly, intentionally and peacefully submitted themselves to the lawful authority of our police on our Reservation. We are proud that our police handled this situation as they should handle any situation—by following applicable law. We would urge federal agencies, and in particular, the US Forest Service, to do the same.”
The protest, attended by approximately 400 people, temporarily stopped the Megaload shipment. Tribal police arrested 19 people at the scene when they refused to move to the side of the highway. These included eight members of the NPTEC: Whitman, Brooklyn Baptiste, Leotis McCormack, Daniel Kane, Joel Moffett, Anthony Johnson, Albert Barros and Sam Penney.
“We engaged in this blockade because this massive transport is both contrary to Judge Winmill’s order and potentially extremely damaging to the environment on our Reservation,” Whitman said. “It is unfortunate that federal officials refused to stop the shipment, but the NPTEC remains opposed to the transport and will continue to work with all federal and elected officials to see these loads are not hauled through the Reservation.”
Judge Winmill’s ruling came as the result of an Idaho Rivers United challenge to a plan to take the 225-foot long, 644,000 pound Megaload up Highway 12 to the Montana border, through a “Wild and Scenic Corridor” along the Lochsa River. Judge Winmill found that the Forest Service has the full authority to protect the Corridor. In exercising this authority, the Forest Service had scheduled a meeting with tribal leaders on August 20 to discuss the permit. Instead, Omega Morgan, the Oregon-based company transporting the load, received a permit for the shipment from the Idaho Department of Transportation on Friday. Despite another letter Monday from the Forest Service to Omega Morgan stating that the “Forest Service does not consent, approve, or otherwise authorize” the company to transport the load, Omega Morgan moved the massive structure, a water purification unit, late Monday evening before being temporarily halted at the Reservation border.
“Omega Morgan has demonstrated arrogance and contempt for the law in moving this transport despite Forest Service objections. The NPTEC continues to oppose this shipment while fully recognizing the ethical obligation of our Tribal Police to uphold their sworn duty to enforce our laws. In addition, this issue is not over, so it is paramount that the public continue to act in a responsible and safe manner.”
Valerie Waley
posted
on
Backbone Campaign's Facebook page
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