Seventeen tribal chairs in Washington unite with Puyallup Tribe against dangerous fracked gas scheme
Tacoma, Wash. – Tribal leaders from across Washington State are calling on Governor Inslee to order full review of the Tacoma LNG. The project would mean more fossil fuel development for the state, and more heavy industry in the Puyallup Tribe’s homeland.
In a new letter sent to the Governor today, 17 Tribal Chairs express their intent to stand united with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ right to defend its treaty and its homelands. In clear violation of their legal responsibilities, no government charged with overseeing the project has conducted meaningful consultation with the Tribe.
The project still has not been reviewed thoroughly or fairly. The Puyallup Tribe has documented no fewer than seven major alterations to the project since it was subjected to environmental review, changes that have happened without the Tribe’s review, input, or agreement. The new limited review from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency relies on several of these substantial changes to make its flawed determination that supplying western Canadian fracked gas to Tacoma will not result in a significant environmental impact.
The 17 Tribal Chairs ask for Governor Inslee’s leadership, noting that state and federal officials have stood up to other dirty energy developments that threaten tribal rights, including rejections of coal ports at Cherry Point and Longview, and an oil train terminal at Vancouver.
The Tribal Chairs call for a full and fair review led by the State of Washington that properly consult with the Puyallup Tribe; addresses the many changes to the project; and includes new information and science now available.
