VIDEO: Leaders of city governments and tribal nations across the Pacific Northwest announced the formation of a new coalition to oppose coal trains and coal exports. The Leadership Alliance Against Coal will work together to raise awareness about the damaging economic, cultural, and health impacts of coal trains and coal exports, as well as take action to protect their communities.

 

Tsleil-Waututh First Nation sign international treaty to oppose tar sands development - Click Here


Image with caption: "Standing from right to left: National Chief Shawn-A-in-chut Atleo, Hereditary Chief Phil Lane Jr. of the Ihanktonwan Dakota and Chickasaw Nations, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, and Deborah Parker, Vice Chair Woman of the Tulalip Tribes. Sitting in front right to left: Chief Maureen Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Jewell James of the Lummi Tribe
(CNW Group/Tsleil-Waututh Nation)".

Voices of Coal: Jay Julius, member of Lummi Nation tribal council
and fisherman - Video by Earthfix



Slideshow by Question of Power - Naamehnay Project, creating visual voices for individuals, families, and communities affected by the extraction, production, and consumption of coal for the production of electricity in America. Click Here


Sometimes by Dana Lyons

Get the Coal Energy Facts: Help Us Stop Coal Exports



Video on RAMPS Website - Protest against Peabody Coal - one of the companies behind the Gateway Pacific Coal Terminal:

Ship crashes into dock at Westshore Terminals, spilling coal into water
Click Here to read more - Published January 2, 2013 - Vancouver Sun


The Bellingham Herald: Storm impedes salvage of grounded drilling ship
Published: January 2, 2013
By MARY PEMBERTON — Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - click here for PDF

Citizens Speak:
Dignitaries from Seattle Scoping Hearing on 12/13/12
Jeremiah Julius - Tribal Councilman - Lummi Nation
More Videos Here: Click Here


Billy Frank Jr., Chairman of the Northwest Indian Fish Commission added,

“The idea of a half-dozen new coal export terminals in western Washington and Oregon -- and the hundreds of trains and barges running from Montana and Wyoming every day to deliver that coal -- would threaten our environment and quality of life like nothing we have seen before. Coal may be a cheap source of energy for other countries, but these export facilities and increased train traffic would come at a great cost to our health,
natural resources and communities.”



Monday - November 5, 2012
A meeting was held at the STPO office to discuss fishing rights.  This meeting was well attended with 22 individuals – including LIBC council members, fish commission members, Lummi community fishers, and the STPO Staff.

Fueling the Tiger (article)

The US Coal Industry Wants to Boost Exports to Asia – Native American Tribes Stand in the Way
- By Kari Lydersen

The gray waters of the Puget Sound are rough and scattered with white caps on this cold and wet October morning. The air is pungent with the low-tide smells of seaweed....
Click here to read this article

STPO Mission Statement:

To protect the sovereignty of the Lummi Nation through comprehensive and coordinated strategic preparedness and rapid response capabilities.

Relevant and Appropriate Issues for the STPO

  • Treaties at Risk
  • Cherry Point Political Strategy for "No" Position
  • Taxation
  • Gaming Protection
  • Sovereignty and Treaty Rights Institute

STPO - Xwe'chi'eXen (Cherry Point)
Position "NO"- (Overview)

There are currently plans to develop the largest coal export facility in North America at Cherry Point, in northwest Washington State. The Gateway Pacific Terminal, a project of Pacific International Terminals,Courtesy of www.coaltrainfacts.orgwould be owned by SSA Marine, which is owned by Carrix, partnered with Goldman Sachs. Coal mined from the Powder River Basin by Peabody Energy would be hauled by trains along the BNSF rail lines. The coal train corridor extends from mines in Montana and Wyoming through Sandpoint, Idaho to Spokane, down through the Columbia River Gorge, then up along the Puget Sound coast, passing through Longview, Tacoma, Seattle, Edmonds, Everett, MT. Vernon, Bellingham, Ferndale and all points in between.

Costs to local economies, public health, and rail corridor communities are concerning to many. There is evidence to support that local jobs and businesses, property values, human health and quality of life would be adversely impacted by the coal trains. Increased marine traffic and the coal terminal would effect fisheries, marine ecosystems, and air quality. Further, substantial taxpayer investment may be required to support infrastructure required by the project and to mitigate some of the potential negative effects. There are questions as to whether damages to local businesses, regional identity, communities and fisheries could ever be adequately mitigated. The global impacts of coal export and coal combustion are significant, particularly when the future is considered.

The Northern Cheyenne Weigh In On Coal Exports

INFOGRAPHIC: 13 Oil Spills in 30 Days: The Dirty Business of Moving Oil
Click here!

The Coal Monster: Pollution Forces Chinese Leaders to Act

Coast Salish Villages of Puget Sound (Lummi)- Click here (Courtesy of www.coastsalishmaps.org)

Northwest Coal Exports
Some common questions about economics, health, and pollution. Click Here

Question of Power - by
Naamehnay Project, Inc.
Coal Ash Videos - Click Here

Railroad to Disaster? Inland Tribes Fight to Avert Coal-Train Destruction
Click Here

Americans’ actions
to limit global warming
in september 2012 - PDF

NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE: Protecting the Salish Sea: Northwest Fishers Unite Against Coal Terminal:
Click Here



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Link to Question of Power Slideshow Jay Video Earthfix