SD/NE STATELINE – At least one truck carrying an oversized mega load was prevented by tribal police from entering the Rosebud Reservation on Monday afternoon.
Tribal members and police officers stopped and detoured the truck at the Rosebud Fuel Plaza late Monday afternoon. The truck belonged to Hess Services, Inc. of Hays, Kansas and was headed north on highway 83. The company manufactures tanks and other equipment designed for chemical mixing as well as storage. They also provide tank delivery and set up.
“Approximately seven tractor trailer loads headed north from the Rosebud Fuel Plaza,” stated Gary Dorr of Oyate Wahacanka Woecun. “They held equipment for Zenergy, which is a sub-contractor for TransCanada.”
The Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council has a standing resolution opposing the proposed Keystone XL pipeline expansion, including the transport of equipment on roads running through the reservation. RST Resolution 2014-33 was approved on February 27, 2014 and reads in part: “The Tribal Nations of the Oceti Sakowin stand in unified opposition to the construction of the TransCanada XL Pipeline.”
At least four trailers loaded with single well stream process packages manufactured by Hess Services, Inc. remained in the parking lot of the RST Fuel Plaza on Monday afternoon. However, Zenergy was “asked to remove their equipment from the premises and that any prior agreements made between the Auto Plaza Manager and the Hess Transport company were null and void [as ordered RST President Cyril Scott],” continued Dorr.
Apparently, an informal agreement had been struck between the RST Fuel Plaza Manager where the company would guarantee gas purchases for their trucks in exchange for storing the trailer-loads behind the store on the gravel lot. Four trailers were left on the premises.
“Tribal police made contact with one truck driver from Hess Trucking and asked him to turn around and go back to have his company remove the trailers,” stated Dorr. “He said he would call the company and he did leave in the direction of Valentine, NE.”
The four trailers were removed by the company from the RST Fuel Plaza parking lot on the morning of April 15, 2014.
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe did establish a Spirit Camp on March 29 on tribal land near the proposed Keystone XL pipeline route. Visitors are welcome and can take highway 18 east of Mission, SD and then drive north on highway 53/183. The camp can be seen on the east side of the highway.
For more information you may call the Rosebud Sioux Tribe at (605) 747-2381. The Oyate Wahacanka Woecun also has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shieldingthepeople which you can check for updates or you can call 1-888-742-7244.
Photos by Gary Dorr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/123350743@N04/
Sicangu News 