Declaring today as a "great day for American jobs," President Trump reversed an Obama administration decision and issued a permit to continue building the $8-billion-dollar Keystone XL pipeline
Some Eastern Montanan farmers and Fort Peck Reservation residents near the pipeline's route don't agree. They believe the environmental and social risk the pipeline poses is greater than a potentially short-lived economic boost for the state.
About two-dozen water protectors are walking across the Fort Peck Reservation this weekend to pray and demonstrate opposition of the pipeline's construction in the state.
"Keystone XL will generate millions in taxes through the six counties in Montana. It's expected to contribute upwards of $212 million in state GDP and support approximately 3,700 jobs within the state during construction,” said Matthew John, spokesperson for TransCanada, the company building the Keystone XL pipeline.
“We think it's a good project for Montanans, we think it's a project that's in the national interest of the United States, and we are eager to go through this process and to eventually get this project built,” said John.
But there is a strong contingent of people who don’t believe the pipeline would be a good project for the state. Like Marina Starr, who’s enrolled in the Fort Berthold Indian Tribe and grew up on the Fort Peck Reservation.
“People talk of jobs and prosperity, you know, but that only lasts a few years if not that even," said Starr.
Nevertheless, Starr and about two dozen others are walking in prayer–from the eastern end of the Fort Peck Reservation onward, 80-miles west.
They are walking in shifts. Each time someone gets tired, they trade for someone’s seat in a car full of water and snacks caravanning along with them. Somebody else takes their place and continues walking.
“We’re praying for the protection of our water and for the safety of our families and friends in and around the reservation: Future generations of our neighbors," said Starr.
Dena Hoff is one of those neighbors that the water protectors are praying for. She’s a spokesperson for Northern Plain Resource Counciland a farmer from Glendive. She too opposes the Keystone XL pipeline’s construction in Montana.
“The proposed pipeline will go under the Yellowstone river, upriver from our irrigated farm," said Hoff. "Many downstream farmers, ranchers, and municipalities, as well as wildlife and fish, depend on that Yellowstone River water for life.”
In January of 2015, the Bridger Pipeline, owned by Bridger Pipeline LLC, had a leak of at least 30,000 gallons of crude oil into the Yellowstone River below Hoff’s sheep pasture.
TransCanada’s spokesperson, Matthew John, says that the company will take special precautions in order for their pipeline to prevent spills.
“This project will be one of the safest pipelines to ever go into operation in the United States," said John.
"We take into account the opinions and the concerns of the local communities along the route, and we work with them, and we're looking forward to working with them and addressing whatever questions that they may have.”
The concerns are made as clear as the water demonstrators pray to protect this weekend. As they continue walking across the Fort Peck Reservation on Highway 2, Starr is undeterred by the mileage she has to go.
“I want to show my children that if you stand up for something you believe in it can be accomplished. Through prayer, I believe we can do it," said Starr.
The walk will conclude near 8 p.m. on Sunday with a ceremony.
