Swinomish Tribe still pursuing lawsuit against oil trains on reservation

Wednesday, June 14, 2017  

The Swinomish Tribe has won another ruling in a lawsuit that seeks to stop the transport of crude oil through its reservation in Washington.

The lawsuit accuses BNSF Railway of violating an agreement that limits the number of trains that can run through the reservation. There is no dispute that the tribe wasn't informed about the increase, a federal judge ruled on June 8.

“We are thankful that the court has again ruled there is no dispute that BNSF breached our easement agreement, and that our case will go forward to resolution,” Chairman Brian Cladoosby said in a press release that was quoted by The Anacortes American.

The tribe is seeking an injunction to restrict the number of trains and damages for violation of the agreement. A final decision hasn't been reached.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community v. BNSF Railway Company.

Read More on the Story:
Swinomish welcomes ruling in BNSF lawsuit (The Anacortes American 6/14)

Swinomish Tribe files suit to stop oil trains through reservation (April 7, 2015)