The National Congress of American Indians
Resolution #PHX-16-069
TITLE: Support for Tribal Consultation and Consent in the Siting of Liquefied Natural Gas or Methanol Facilities in or Near Tribal Lands and Major Population Centers
WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and
WHEREAS, the tribes of NCAI depend on the natural resources of this region to sustain our way of life, rights to fish, hunt and gather, our economies, human health and fulfill our sacred obligation to protect our First Foods and our most precious natural resources; water; and
WHEREAS, NCAI works tirelessly to protect tribal members health, safety, welfare, and futures both within and outside of tribal reservations; and
WHEREAS, NCAI recognizes that liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Methanol could provide a cleaner fuel for ships, trucks, and cars than other fuel sources; however, tribal nations cannot bear a disproportionate share of the significant risks posed by LNG and Methanol facilities without being at the table as part of the decision-making process to have their concerns adequately addressed; and
WHEREAS, federal, state and local agencies are supporting LNG and Methanol storage facilities in areas within, or in close proximity to tribal lands, without significant input or consideration of tribal interests or rights; and
WHEREAS, LNG and Methanol storage and the untested technology for such facilities pose significant risks to human safety, human health, and the health of natural resources due to explosive risks, spill risks and associated risks to the natural resources relied upon by tribes; and
WHEREAS, LNG and Methanol proponents are not fully analyzing and disclosing to NCAI tribes or the general public the risks posed by LNG and Methanol to human safety, human health, and natural resources due to explosive risks, spill risks, and associated risks to the health of natural resources.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Congress of American Indians calls upon federal and state agencies to fully engage tribes in consultation and inclusion in the decision-making process for the siting of Liquefied Natural Gas and Methanol storage and distribution facilities in or near tribal lands or major population centers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, NCAI supports a strategy to document and disclose the true risks of construction and operation of LNG storage and distribution facilities, and, to also accurately disclose the risks involved with such facilities, and, to promote siting of such facilities in areas where such risks are not disproportionately absorbed by tribes and such risks are lessened for the public as a whole; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.