Swinomish lawsuit against BNSF can move forward

[countryjake]

http://www.goskagit.com/news/swinomish-lawsuit-against-bnsf-can-move-forward/article_dc897248-f7eb-57df-9001-193e9ca1a347.html

A U.S. District Court once again ruled in favor of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in its ongoing legal battle with BNSF Railway.

In a summary judgement, the court ruled June 8 that the tribe’s claims are not preempted by the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act, as BNSF asserted.

The tribe sued in April 2015 alleging BNSF exceeded the number of oil train cars it was allowed to run on tracks over the reservation, per an easement with the tribe.

“We are thankful that the court has again ruled there is no dispute that BNSF breached our easement agreement, and that our case will go forward to resolution,” Swinomish Chairman Brian Cladoosby said in a news release.

[KT2000]

1. this again is the tribe

saving everyone. They exceed their limit and have been reported by people who count the cars but nothing is ever done. The tribe has power to have action taken.
The local tribes on the Olympic Peninsula have saved the environment here many times.

[safeinOhio]

2. Two tribes in Michigan

are in court to stop Line #5 and shut it down and save lakes Huron and Michigan.

[KT2000]

3. As soverign nations

the cannot be ignored. If the US is going to be saved, it will be due to the efforts of the tribes.

[countryjake]

4. And we have the Lummi Nation to thank for defying Coal

and finally winning last year (i.e. the Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point). It would have been the largest Coal port ever built on our Continent and the little Lummi Tribe stopped it, cold.

Most everyone here in Skagit have been upset by the number and length of both the Coal and Oil trains; the tie-ups they cause, alone, are enough to alert people to the massive problems we'd face if the hauling were increased any more, not to mention the pollution-factor and derailment dangers. In 2015, there were emergency vehicles sitting waiting for half-hours or more, as incredibly long Oil trains plodded thru our little towns, blocking all traffic access to a total standstill.

People eventually do take notice when they're stuck forever behind a firetruck or ambulance with its sirens blowing as more than a hundred twenty black tanker cars lumber by ahead of them.

I agree completely with you, the Original Coastal Peoples of our area are the ones who are most determined to save the Salish Sea for they have the most to lose if the Fossil Fuel Industry destroys it.

That Big Coal Export Conglomerate is still lurking, attempting to twist a financial wrench up in Whatcom County and many of the same corps. (under a different name) are now going to try bringing their filthy grief onto the Quinault Nation out on the Pacific Coast.

[KT2000]

5. thanks for the info

I will have to look up about the Quinault Nation - Didn't know about that.