Greendeer walks the line for the environment

By Tim Wohlers



On June 8, Ho-Chunk tribal member Bill Greendeer and Viterbo University’s environmental science teacher Juliee de la Terre kicked off a month-long event to raise awareness of an impending Enbridge pipeline which would traverse the entire state of Wisconsin.
The next day, on June 9, the two activists set out from Walworth County on a walk that started at the southern border of Wisconsin and continued north across the state to Superior.  The walk followed the projected route of the pipeline, which would carry dangerous tar sands through many of the state’s natural areas.
Greendeer came up with the idea for the walk after hearing about Enbridge’s plans for a new pipeline that would make Wisconsin the largest corridor of tar-sands transport in the world.  He believes everyone should know about the dangers associated with pressure-filled pipelines that carry such hazardous substances. 
“There’s so much pressure behind these pipelines now,” Greendeer explains.  “They have about 1200 to 1400 pounds of pressure per square inch.” 
With all of that pressure inside the pipes, the potential for disaster is great.  According to Greendeer, a rupture the size of a pin could cause irreversible damage to the environment.  For landowners with property situated along the route, that risk proves too high.  Many of them depend on the land for their livelihood.  Therefore, many of them came out to join in the cause. 
“A lot of the landowners are starting to realize what will happen,” Greendeer relays.  “They are starting to band together.  And they’re starting to ask questions.” 
Landowners in Marshfield have come together to put a stop the expansion planned by Enbridge.  They formed a group called, 80 Feet is Enough, which uses civil discourse to defend its members and their property against the corporate giant. 
Members of the group joined the month-long walk to help Greendeer and de la Terre raise awareness.  They shared the same fears of environmental disaster, and showed determination to not be the next victims of Enbridge.  Furthermore, they feel frustration over getting left in the dark by the energy-delivering company. 
“I don’t think we met one landowner who was happy about this,” de la Terre says.  “They feel rather betrayed by the corporation.” 
The tactics used by Enbridge have caused many to distrust the agency.  For instance, when leaks in the pipeline occur, nearby landowners often find themselves uninformed.  Other times, those landowners discover people walking around on their property during the middle of the night.  This has created unrest among the men and women who face the possibility of even more tar sands traveling past their land.  Now, they no longer trust the organization. 
“There are people who now know the tactics of Enbridge,” Greendeer states.  “The company really tries to be intimidating.” 
During the walk, Greendeer encountered some of these intimidation tactics firsthand.  Apparently, Enbridge knew about him and the walk to raise awareness.  Perhaps a little scared, the corporation did everything in its power to curtail his efforts.
Representatives from the company visited the same houses Greendeer passed on the walk.  And in Dane County, Greendeer claims, the group was even harassed by off-duty sheriffs. 
“They were actually protecting Enbridge down there,” Greendeer said.  “This is a major crime, what Enbridge is doing.  And Scott Walker’s letting it happen.” 
Despite the company’s efforts, the walk proved successful.  Some landowners on the route had no idea about the things Enbridge does, or the tactics that the organization uses in pursuit of profit.  But thanks to Greendeer and the walk, they do now.  The people realize what is going on and are spreading the word.  They have seen enough of Enbridge. 
“There is a raised awareness, and I think the walk was a big part of that,” de la Terre reflects. 


Home