Aug 6, 2014 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: HONOR THE EARTH TO RALLY AND PRESS EVENT TO STOP THE SANDPIPER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONOR THE EARTH TO RALLY AND PRESS EVENT TO STOP THE SANDPIPER

Honor the Earth along with a variety of environmental groups like Friends of the Headwaters (of the Mississippi) various lake associations, church groups and citizens will be holding a protest rally against the current Alternative Routes proposed for the Sandpiper oil pipeline across most of northern Minnesota’s wild rice lakes and rivers and aquifers. The Rally will start at 11:00 AM, 8/7/14, on the 7th Place entrance to the Metro Square Building in St Paul, Minnesota.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will be hearing oral arguments and “due to the significant public interest in this matter, summary public comments will be heard following oral argument.” Ironically, the two additional routes selected by the PUC for consideration travel north of Clearbrook and back down around Grand Rapids, or dip south to near I-94 but still cut across the Headwaters of the Mississippi and both would still cross all 3 major watersheds of North America.

“It seems like the PUC selected the only two more ridiculous alternative routes to make the present proposed route appear more rational” said Winona LaDuke. “The Sandpiper is only crossing Minnesota to bring jobs and oil to others, we shouldn’t have to continue surrendering our pristine environment, tourism and fishing for oil going to foreign markets.”

Honor the Earth, along with other Alliance members, have initiated a petition drive for a moratorium on any new pipelines across northern Minnesota until two conditions are satisfied: 1) the oil spills in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Mayflower, Arkansas are actually cleaned-up, and 2) abandoned pipelines are made safe, forever, or removed to prevent leaks and spills like the Missouri river spill in July 2014. Petitions will be circulated and are available on line for people to bring completed petitions to the rally.

Ironically, the two additional routes selected by the PUC for consideration travel north from Clearbrook and back down to Grand Rapids, or dip south to near I-94 but still cut across the Headwaters of the Mississippi and both would still cross all 3 major watersheds of North America.

“It seems like the PUC selected the only two more ridiculous alternative routes to make the present proposed route appear more rational” said Winona LaDuke. “The Sandpiper is only crossing Minnesota to bring jobs and oil to others, we shouldn’t have to continue surrendering our pristine environment, tourism and fishing for oil going to foreign markets.”

Honor the Earth will begin a horse “Ride for Mother Earth” from August 17 to August 29 along the Sandpiper route which will include a series “Love Water Not Oil” concerts in Brainerd, Pine River, Walker and Park Rapids the last full week of August.