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Wintertime warmers

John Mallo of Marquette displays an Eco Brick, one of many, it is hoped, that will be sent to the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters for firewood to help get them through the winter. The brick is hardwood-burning. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

MARQUETTE — North Dakota probably isn’t the most hospitable of states in the winter, weather-wise.

And harsh winds and snow most likely wouldn’t make life any more comfortable for the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters.

However, a local group is trying to make things easier for them.

According to CNN, the protesters opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline have vowed to stand their ground despite growing calls for them to leave. There also are threats of prosecution from law enforcement.

Protesters since late summer have stood beside members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota who believe the $3.7 billion pipeline project would affect its drinking water supply and put downstream communities at risk of contamination from potential oil spills.

The pipeline would move 470,000 barrels of crude oil a day across four states.

John Mallo of Marquette, along with several other concerned residents, are trying to help the protesters by raising money to provide the Oceti Sakowin camp with 10 tons of Eco Bricks, a hardwood-burning brick that’s the equivalent of 12.5 full cords of seasoned cut and split hardwood.

“It’s the equivalent of a full logging truck full of wood,” Mallo said, at least in the BTU-burning capacity. The Eco Bricks, he said, will be a lot smaller.

The environmentally friendly bricks, he noted, will be shipped from a Menards store in Bismarck, North Dakota 42 miles from the protest site.

The protest is expected to last a while.

“I think the natives have said they’re really not going anywhere,” Mallo said.

With all the ongoing fake news, he acknowledged it’s hard to know the exact situation.

However, Mallo said some of the people he knows who have gone to the site have noted that even if the protesters get removed from the public access land, they will just “pull back” to their reservations.

Although the group wants the protesters to be comfortable, there’s a bigger issue at hand.

“It’s important for me to get across that I’m not like an extreme right- or left-wing guy,” Mallo said. “I get it. We need oil. I understand that.”

Mallo said he discovered in his research that in the case of the Dakota Access Pipeline, because the oil goes to a hub in Illinois, it’s the cheapest way to accomplish this.

“Sadly, they’re drilling under the Missouri and the Mississippi River, and a couple major lakes,” Mallo said. “They don’t have all their permits yet, and yet they’re moving forward. That seems kind of reckless.”

A company named Meridian Energy, though, is planning a refinery in North Dakota.

“They could ship it via rail or tanker, but that’s not as profitable,” Mallo said.

Again, he understands the profit motive, but when the pristine environmental aspect of the region is involved, that’s a concern.

“I’m working with people who want to see it stopped altogether,” Mallo said. “I, at a minimum, want to say, ‘Come on, we’ve got to rethink this. If this is profit, there are different ways.'”

He said there probably are more accidents with rail and tanker shipments, but they’re smaller, whereas a pipeline leak would be similar to the BP Gulf of Mexico spill or the Exxon Valdez incident near Alaska.

“When these things happen in our waterways, it’s catastrophic,” Mallo said.

He sympathizes with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, noting the original pipeline was supposed to be built north of Bismarck. After citizens of that city voiced concerns about the safety of their water supply, the pipeline was rerouted to go north of the Standing Rock reservation’s water supply.

“People in the Standing Rock are saying, ‘Look, same argument, same thing,’ but they’re receiving a dramatically different response,” Mallo said.

Mallo said his group is partnering with another group from Portland, Oregon, which already is raising money for the cause.

The local group will hold a fundraiser from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Masonic Temple, 128 W. Washington St., Marquette. The event will include music and a silent auction.

It also started a Go Fund Me site, Firewood for DALP Protesters.

Mallo said the financial goal is $3,200, which would provide the necessary Eco Bricks. So far, over $2,000 has been raised between the Go Fund Me site and private donations, with the fundraiser expected to add more to that total.

Should the group surpass its financial goal, it will continue to place orders for the Oceti Sakowin, Sacred Stones, Red Warrior, Sicangu and Rosebud camps. Mallo said he has been assured by the Standing Rock Tribal Office that the bricks would be appreciated.

“This is to protect the water, and this is to support anybody, anytime who’s working to protect the water,” Mallo said.

The local group also has concerns with Line 5, the oil pipeline under the Mackinac Bridge that was built in 1953. If it leaks, Lakes Huron and Michigan would be contaminated, he said.

“There has to be better technology,” Mallo said. “Sixty-three years is a long time for anything to work.”

In the meantime, efforts continue to support the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters, although there might be a few challenges.

Gwinn resident T.J. Derwin is headed to the site Saturday. He said people who want to donate needed items, particularly subzero gear, may call him at 906-236-3681 and he will pick them up.

With the Eco Brick project, Mallo acknowledged it could be difficult for Menards to find the camps since they don’t have physical addresses.

He said that to make sure the Eco Bricks get to the intended destination, he might have to go himself, or the group might have to donate directly to the Oceti Sakowin camp, which then would make the proper arrangements.

“It would be nicer if we could make the arrangements to get them there,” Mallo said. “People here would feel more empowered by their effort.”

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250.

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