People Over Pipelines

Photos and Video of the October 2017 Event

Enbridge’s proposed Line 66 could jeopardize Wisconsin’s major waterways, our property rights, the safety of our communities, our climate, and more. On October 27, 2017, People Over Pipelines brought together tribal members, Enbridge easement-holders, environmentalists, youth activists, and other concerned citizens to learn about pipeline fights around the country, hear from those threatened by Enbridge’s pipelines, and find out how to protect our land and water.

Speakers included Mark Borchardt, property owner & founder of 80 Feet Is Enough!; Paul DeMain, member of the Bear Clan, Oneida/Ojibwe; Jon Greendeer, member of the Ho-Chunk Tribe; affected landowners from up and down the pipeline corridor; three of the thirteen Youth Climate Intervenors who are fighting Enbridge’s Line 3 in Minnesota; and Jane Kleeb, founder of Bold Nebraska and Bold Alliance.

Here’s a slideshow of photos from the event:

Photo credit: MS
Mark Borchardt, property owner and founder of 80 Feet Is Enough!, opened the program and served as MC. He also shared his experiences, worries, and concerns over the possibility that Enbridge will build a new Line 66. Photo credit: MS
It was a full house! Photo credit: MS
Paul DeMain, of the Lac Courte Oreillies Reservation, co-led the evening, welcoming the crowd and acknowledging the skills, interests, and talents everyone brought to the discussion. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Jon Greendeer, member of the Ho-Chunk Tribe, opened the evening's program with a prayer and extended a welcome on behalf of the tribe. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
With landowners up and down the Wisconsin pipeline corridor, the next hour was spent taking a 360-degree snapshot of the impacts of current Line 61 and the potential risks if Line 66 is allowed to be built. Photo credit: MS
Phil Sylla of Washburn Co. spoke first. A leader of the Washburn Co. Lakes and Rivers Association, Sylla told of the devestating impact a spill would have on the many rivers that the pipelines cross. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Lorene and Jule Reisner, landowners from Ladysmith, spoke next. Photo credit: MS
Jason Berry, Wood Co. landowner. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Paul DeMain, Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation, shared the reservation's experiences of granting access to pipeline companies. Photo credit: MS
Monica Zachay with the St. Croix River Association spoke of the unique bodies of water in the St. Croix river basin, pristine fishing conditions, and presettlement mussels, all of which would be jeopardized in the case of an oil spill. Photo credit: MS
Tim Mumm, Whitewater. Up and down the corridor, the rights of property owners to exercise control over their land is severely diminished if a pipeline runs under their property. Photo credit: MS
Ronni Monroe, of Lake Mills and founder of Brave Wisconsin, spoke of toxic chemicals that can be emitted at the time of a pipeline rupture or spill and warned all those living on or close to a pipeline to become familiar with what to do in case of a pipeline emergency. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Doug and Mary Urban recently retired to land in Marshfield that has a pipeline running underneath it. Their future is uncertain: What will become of their property if Enbridge is allowed to exercise eminent domain to grab a bigger easement? Photo credit: MS
Michele Arnold, Columbia Co. landowner. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Sandra and Dave Davis, co-founders of Save our Illinois Land (SOIL), shared what is happening in Illinois with regard to pipelines and a recent spill that caused damage to the water mains in a community. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Next to take the floor were three of the thirteen Minnesota Youth Climate Intervenors who are formally and legally fighting Enbridge's Line 3 in Minnesota. Here, Akilah Sanders-Reed speaks. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Sophia Manolis, Minnesota Youth Climate Intervenor. The intervenors, all under age 25, are impressive in their understanding of the gravity of the situation and their passion for doing all they can to prevent Line 3 from being permitted in Minnesota. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Brent Murcia, Minnesota Youth Climate Intervenor. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Finally, Jane Kleeb, founder of Bold Nebraska and Bold Alliance, rounded out the evening with a dynamic presentation on key elements of mounting an effective resistance. She was introduced by Mark Borchardt. Photo credit: MS
Kleeb led a fierce and successful battle to stop the Keystone XL pipeline. That fight has resumed under the current administration. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
A huge crop art image protesting the proposed Keystone XL pipeline covers an 80-acre corn field outstide of Neligh, Nebraska, on April 12, 2014. The image, which lies on the proposed pipeline route that crosses the Ponca Trail of Tears, was created by the farmers, ranchers, and Native American tribes of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance in collaboration with artist John Quigley. Photo credit: Lou Dematteis
Side-by-side photos of Canadian boreal forest before and after tar sands excavation.
The call to build uncommon alliances — in this case, native tribes and ranchers. Photo credit: MS
Kleeb urged the group to make the struggle political and personal, to fight on all fronts. Photo credit: Monika Blasz
Photo credit: MS

Here’s a six-minute video recap of the program. You can watch the complete program below.

People Over Pipelines (complete program):