Tribes in Washington join coalition to fight coal export project

Tuesday, April 23, 2013  

Tribes in Washington are joining a coalition to fight a coal export project.

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, the Tulalip Tribes and the Lummi Nation are part of the Leadership Alliance Against Coal. They say the project threatens sacred sites, burial grounds and the environment.

“That is our sacred ground,” Lummi Nation council member Jay Julius said at a press conference yesterday, referring to one of the proposed development sites, The Seattle Times reported. “Those are my great-great-great-grandparents who are resting there. We want them to rest in peace.”

The project involves an increase in shipments of coal from British Columbia, Canada, along rail lines in Washington. The coal will then be exported to Asia via shipping terminals in Bellingham, near the Lummi Reservation.

The Quinault Nation also opposes the project. The tribe says the state should and federal government should conduct a more thorough environmental analysis.

Get the Story:
New regional alliance opposes coal-export plan from state ports (The Seattle Times 4/23)
WA Tribes Hope Earth Day Shines Light on Oil on Rails (Public News Service 4/23)