Press Release 02/26/2014

Contact: Gary Dorr, Oyate Wahacanka Woecun, Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Email: shieldthepeople@gmail.com

Phone: (888) 742-7244 Ext 703

ROSEBUD, SD: On February 25, 2014 the Rosebud Sioux Tribe took official action to oppose the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Rosebud Sioux Tribal unanimously passed RST Resolution 2014-29, stating that Tribe “objects to and refuses to sign” the amended Programmatic Agreement, a document imposed upon the Tribe by the Federal Government to attempt to meet legally required consultation requirements. Council Representative, Russell Eagle Bear, said “It is our job as the Tribal Council to take action to protect the health and welfare of our people, and this resolution puts the federal government on notice.”

During the required consultation process for the permitting and routing of the KXL the Programmatic Agreement was formed. As part of the National Historic Preservation Act, a Programmatic Agreement is mandatory in order to govern the actions that will be taken by the parties in order to meet their environmental compliance responsibilities. “This Programmatic Agreement for the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline project has not met the standards of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, because the Rosebud Sioux Tribe has not been consulted,” said Eagle Bear. He went on to say “Additionally, the Cultural Surveys that have been conducted already are inadequate and did not cover adequate on-the-ground coverage to verify known culturally sensitive sites and areas.”

The proposed Pipeline route crosses the boundaries of the Great Sioux Nation, lands of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and will directly impact the livelihoods of thousands of Rosebud tribal citizens. The Rosebud Tribe made evident that they are the appropriate Tribe to be consulted on land within Tripp, Gregory, Lyman, Todd, and Mellette Counties in South Dakota. Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council President, Cyril Scott said, “this is a flawed document and it will not be accepted.”

The Council Resolution states, in part that the Rosebud Sioux Tribe “objects and refuses to sign the amended PA,” and also “objects to the Environmental Statement Prepared with and incorporating the flawed Programmatic Agreement that resulted in a finding of No Significant Impact to Cultural Resources.” The Resolution authorizes the Rosebud Sioux Tribal President Scott to respond to the US Department of State’s letter and refuse to sign the amended Programmatic Agreement and file comments objecting to the Environmental Impact Statement for the construction of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline project.