The Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota has barred megaload shipments through its reservation.

Tribal police are informing heavy-haul drivers not to drive on the reservation or stop at the tribe's gas station. It's part of a campaign against the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline.

"We simply request (drivers) to find alternate routes to transport their cargo," Josh Wilson, the administrative assistant and chief of staff for President Cyril Scott, told The Lincoln Journal Star. "That is not being said as a threat. It’s simply a respectful request in terms of honoring us as a tribe and our stance in opposition to the pipeline.”

The South Dakota Highway Patrol, however, says the tribe lacks the authority to dictate the drivers' routes. One driver who was recently stopped by tribal police had received permits from the state.

“The fact a portion of that highway crosses a portion of the reservation land doesn’t change the fact they can legally travel, and they have a right to expect to travel without incident,” Maj. Dana Svendsen told the paper.

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe also opposes megaload shipments through its reservation.

Get the Story:
Tribe tells truckers hauling oil equipment to stay off reservation (The Lincoln Journal Star 4/17)

Related Stories:
Native Sun News: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe opposes megaloads (04/07)