From an Article by Tom Stewart, Center for the American Experiment, September 29, 2017

Pipeline protesters gearing up to oppose the $2 billion Enbridge 3 replacement project have been put on notice by St. Louis County authorities. The county has issued a reminder to a private landowner about zoning restrictions on large groups, including some of whom the Duluth News Tribune reports participated in recent protests at the Enbridge construction site on the Wisconsin section of the pipeline.

The owner of the land where people identifying themselves as water protectors are camping told the News Tribune he’s “not worried” and will ignore a St. Louis County letter seeking his compliance with campground ordinances.

“What (the county) is asking for is not appropriate,” Scott Kretz said on Tuesday, before addressing the people on his property. “They’re practicing treaty rights and gathering together and I’m allowing it. I don’t have a campground here. I’m not renting spots. It’s a gathering.”

The property in question is located inside the Fond du Lac Reservation, along Brevator Road. It’s not known how many people are inside the camp, named Makwa, meaning bear.

Kretz lives in an old bus on the property and apparently has plenty of company these days.

“They’re water protectors and (the county) would like to tell us where they can and can’t speak,” Kretz said. “I’m a man that looks to stand up within my rights too. This piece of property is like my last line in the sand too.”

He described the property as currently containing an array of tepees, yurts and waginogans to accommodate the numbers at the camp. He described himself as someone who would “fight parking tickets by looking for a jury trial.”

Enbridge is constructing a new pipeline to replace the existing 50-year-old Line 3 that crosses northern Minnesota on its route from Alberta to Superior. The replacement is currently under construction in Canada and Wisconsin, and awaiting the outcome of a review process in Minnesota.

Public hearings now underway in Minnesota will determine whether state regulators award the company a permit to replace the 50-year old pipeline in the state. But St. Louis County authorities appear to be trying to get out in front of environmental activists’ attempt to set up a base camp in the arrowhead.

Protesters have said the lockdowns in Douglas County are a preview of things to come in Minnesota should the state approve the pipeline. Line 3 approval in the state was dealt a blow earlier this month when the Minnesota Department of Commerce concluded in testimony that the state does not need another Line 3.

The county, in its letter, cited ordinances for land use fees, solid waste disposal and sewage treatment in making its attempt, it said, “to assist you in properly establishing a campground on your property.”

Kretz wasn’t buying it.

“I’m not going to get a permit,” he said. “You only get permission or a license to do something which would otherwise be unlawful.”

Source: https://www.americanexperiment.org/2017/09/pipeline-protesters-camp-northern-mn/

>>> Petition to the Banks behind the Dakota Access Pipeline:

“Continuing to finance DAPL signals your approval of the use of militarized force against those asserting their First Amendment rights and traditional spiritual beliefs and practices, and disregard for Indigenous responsibilities to protect people, lands and water.”

>>>>>>>>>>

Dear Friends,

Energy Transfer Partners, the corporation behind the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), has ignored the demands of the Water Protectors at Standing Rock for the last two years. And now they’re ignoring the fact that the Army Corps of Engineers has denied them the necessary permits to build this pipeline — claiming that they “fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting.”

It’s time to step up our game — and we’ve now got a new pressure point: the 17 banks financing the DAPL. Without their resources, Energy Transfer Partners may be unable to proceed with the pipeline.

These banks face a clear decision: keep funding a project steeped in controversy that will not meet its construction deadlines, or do what is right.

The decision should be simple. But we know when money and oil are involved, most corporations need pressuring to make the right decision. That’s why LCV is partnering with more than 20 other organizations to build enough public pressure that these banks will stop all further funding to the company. Together, we can show these banks that we stand with the Water Protectors and demand that they divest from this pipeline.

Support Standing Rock and hit Energy Transfer Partners where it really matters: their wallets. Sign the petition and tell Banks to divest from the Dakota Access Pipeline today.

Just two weeks ago, we saw the devastating impacts oil pipelines can have as a huge spill occurred in North Dakota just 150 miles from Sacred Stone Camp where the Water Protectors are assembled. At least 176,000 gallons of oil spilled, polluting waterways and six miles of land. This spill underscores the threat facing the Standing Rock Sioux and the millions who rely on the Missouri River for drinking water.

And with the December 4 announcement from the US Army Corps of Engineers halting construction of the pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners is rushing to build a pipeline they don’t have permission to complete. The Dakota Access Pipeline is economically unnecessary today, given the continued low price of oil. Amid climate change, supporting new fossil fuel infrastructure is dangerous and reckless as the world continues to move away from climate-destroying fuels to clean energy.

It should be a no-brainer to investors that this pipeline is bad for business, period! We — as customers and account holders — can pressure the lending banks to take a stand. Banks are nothing without their customers’ money. This is a rare moment to tell the banks they are beholden to us, their customers, and that we want them to stop financing this oil pipeline.

All 17 Banks need to hear from you that funding the Dakota Access Pipeline is UNACCEPTABLE. Add your name today.

Time is running out for Standing Rock, Duane, as Donald Trump’s cabinet picks all but solidify his intent to approve the Dakota Access Pipeline. But together, we can make a difference. We can pressure these banks to stop funding the Dakota Access Pipeline, and without their resources Energy Transfer Partners must abandon this pipeline.

Yours in Resistance, Yazmin Khan,

Digital Campaigns Manager, League of Conservation Voters

I want to respond to today’s email about solidarity actions at Army Corps HQs…you really should be mentioning the closest one for most of us, in HUNTINGTON. If people click on the link they’ll find it, but if they just read your post talking about events in Maryland, most won’t click on that link. 12:30 in front of major ACE HQ in Huntington.

Mary Wildfire, Roane County, WV