Despite the importance of the event - only a little more than 300 people showed up. The organizers 350.org in Traverse City did not advertise the event very well - especially within the local communities around the Strait of Mackinac. A 2nd problem was that no press was documenting the event.
Worst thing I was getting to know that the two 60 years old 20" pipes of line 5 are running through the strait are UNSUPPORTED - meaning not lying at the bottom or held up by a pedals tool. With the strong and changing currents in the Strait of Mackinac, the pipeline that is unsupported above the underwater canyon (see Google Earth profile below) is bound to be exposed to a lot of stress - and it is actually a wonder that no major spill occurred yet. The pipelines are owned by Enbridge, and the pipes are of the same size and type as the one that ruptured in the Marshall, Mi oil spill of 2010. Download the full report by Jeff Alexander and Beth Wallace
from the National Wildlife Federation: Sunken Hazard: Aging oil pipelines beneath the Straits of Mackinac an ever-present threat to the Great Lakes (pdf)
Location of the two pipelines crossing the strait of Mackinac. Source:
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Google Earth drawing of the approximate location of the pipelines and the depth profile of the canyon at this line. Note the deep canyon, which is thought to be the remainder of a deep river canyon during one of the glacial periods that is now submerged. The red line depicts my guess of how the pipelines are partially on the ground of the strait but hang unsupported over the canyon.
The speakers that I listened to were
Bill Latka • TC350 – Solutions
The two 20 inch pipes below the speaker's podium are identical pipes that are submerged in the Strait of Mackinac - and burst open in the pipeline accident in Marshall, MI
Cecil Pavlat • Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians- This was the speaker I was most impressed of. He stressed that global climate change is not only harming us humans but all other innocent species on this planet - and that we humans cannot longer hear and listen what Earth is telling us. That we lost our ways - and our purpose in the world - and as I see it are destroyers of the World when we were meant to be Stewards...
During his speech - wood smoke was carried around our gathering - and all the sudden - a group of eagles circled above us... as if Earth is trying to tell us that we are not alone in this fight....
Beth Wallace • National Wildlife Federation: Author of Sunken Hazard report - mentioned above
Bill McKibben • 350.org, Author, Environmentalist
Jeff Spoelstra • Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
notice all the cars in the background, and not a single bike anywhere. funny huh. only 300 people came because the rest of the world realizes the important role oil plays in this day and age.
ReplyDeletePosted by John Kuschell-
ReplyDeleteThanks for reporting on this important event. In reply to ANON, above; I don't see "all the cars" that you refer to, however I'm sure they were there. If there were affordable alternative forms of transportation, I would buy one tomorrow. The same with television; if I desire to watch TV, I'm "forced" to subscribe to cable or satellite in order to enjoy that luxury. But those monopolistic services don't pollute our environment and endanger our health. So ANON. what's your version about the Kalamazoo River incident involving Enbridge?
Finally, public apathy is a real problem - but I am gratified that we at least have your attention.
Enbridge has had spills repeatedly. Kalamazoo, Illinois etc. They are financially competetive because they skimp on safety and experienced personnell. Don't expect the MIchigan DEQ to protect you. If they were they would require upgrades to their pipelines and the hiring of adequate experienced people.
ReplyDeleteThe Enbridge accident was caused by human error of an inexperienced operator who instead of investigating the cause of a stuck valve, repeatedly turned on pumps trying to force it open.
Allison MacArthur-Ruesink