The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska passed a tribal resolution in opposition to TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline in an unanimous vote on April 6 — and has submitted the resolution to the Nebraska Public Service Commission that is currently reviewing TransCanada’s pipeline permit application.
In its resolution, the Winnebago Tribe notes that the PSC “has not yet engaged in tribal consultation regarding the issuance of permits for the Keystone XL pipeline,” and that “the Tribes have a right to be consulted regarding federal actions and state actions that affect Tribal interests.”
It goes on to state that “the Tribes have a strong interest in protecting burials and other cultural resources from being harmed by construction or other activities,” as well as “a strong interest in protecting waters that give life to the Tribes, their members, and fish and wildlife on the Reservations.”
The resolution then states the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s official opposition to Keystone XL, and concludes by urging the PSC “to engage in meaningful consultation with all Missouri Basin Tribes prior to issuing permits for a major oil pipeline across tribally historic, cultural and aboriginal lands and waters.”
Pages From Resolution 17-76 Opposition to the Keystone XL Pipeline