Summary
Statement from the Office of the Tribal Chairman Dave Flute of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe regarding the oil spill of the TransCanada's Keystone pipeline.
“At this time, the only update I have is that there was a leak in the pipeline. I have been in communications with Trans Canada tribal relations officer and they will keep me updated on the spill and containment. We will share an update later this afternoon.
Right now, on behalf of the tribe, our concerns are the environmental impact this spill may have caused. We need to know, unambiguously, there is no contamination to any water source in the area. Surface and subsurface waters are all interconnected in this part of the state and some of those water sources run into and onto our reservation. We have tribal communities in the Enemy Swim, Buffalo Lake and Red Iron areas that are tens of miles away from the site, and they are our greatest concern at this time. We have pristine lakes and streams, and underground aquifers that provide water to many tribal members and we need to know this spill has not and will not contaminate our waters.
Finally, on behalf of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, we are offering our assistance if requested, to the local and federal agencies that are working to contain the spill and evaluate the environmental damage it may have caused. Although our tribe opposed the construction of this pipeline, (and other pipelines), we understand it is here, it is what it is, but we are committed to providing help and assistance in any way we can.”