EARTH DAY 2014: EARTH DAY SHOULD BE EVERY DAY!
NO FRACKING WAY TURTLE MOUNTAIN TEAMS UP WITH A COALITION OF NORTH DAKOTA CONSERVATION GROUPS GATHERING SIGNATURES TO GET CONSERVATION MEASURE PLACED ON NOVEMBER'S BALLOT
Carol Davis of No Fracking Way Turtle Mountain and Michael Dax of North Dakotans for Clean Water, Wildlife and Parks
Photo Credit: Deborah LaVallie
4-22-14
By Deborah LaVallie
No Fracking Way Turtle Mountain spent Earth Day 2014 gathering signatures at the Sky Dancer Casino and The Turtle Mountain Community College teaming up with a statewide coalition of conservation groups North Dakotans for Clean Water, Wildlife & Parks in an effort to get a conservation measure placed on November's ballot. The coalition needs 27,000 signatures, but are shooting for 40,000.
The coalition of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation is hoping the measure would create a fund using a small portion (5%) of the state's oil and gas revenues that would be used for grants to various conservation projects in conserving critical natural areas of the state. The Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe and the Spirit Lake Tribe have passed resolutions in support of the plan, while the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has a resolution pending. These tribes would also benefit from the fund for various conservation programs on the state's reservations.
The coalitions main objectives are to protect and restore North Dakota's rivers, lakes and streams, preserve natural areas and critical wildlife habitats and to provide natural flood control. The initiated measure would create a trust that would disperse grants to various public and private groups to aid water quality, natural flood control, fish and wildlife habitat, parks and outdoor recreation areas, access for hunting and fishing, the acquisition of land for parks and outdoor education for children.
The coalition is finding much support and interest due to federal budget cuts in various conservation programs, such as the CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and the drastic changes in western North Dakota caused by the 'Oil Boom'. Michael Dax field director for the group stated that the upcoming November election is important and decisions will be made that will affect the quality of life over the next 20 years, here in North Dakota.
And, with a $6 billion surplus from oil and gas tax monies, Carol Davis, spokesperson for No Fracking Way Turtle Mountain would like to see the tribes benefit from the conservation trust fund in North Dakota. Protection of the water is a major concern for her. She said No Fracking Way would most definitely apply for funding grants from the trust fund, if the measure passes. Protection and conserving the tribe's water resources and wildlife habitats should be a major priority she stated. She would like to see the group expand the knowledge of the tribe on this issue and put on public forums that would increase the tribe's awareness of just how important protecting and conserving our aquifers, lakes and streams, and watershed is. "It is traditional in our tribe, for the women to be responsible for our sacred water." She feels this would be an excellent way to bring back those teachings and educate the public, so that our future generations will have the benefit of a fresh water supply, which we so often take for granted. "Water is life", she said.
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