Environment | Law

Pit River Tribe claims victory in long-running sacred site dispute

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

The Pit River River led a rally in support of Medicine Lake outside the federal courthouse in Sacramento, California, on April 19, 2016. Photo by Marc Dadigan / Facebook

The Pit River Tribe and allies are hoping they will finally be able to put a stop to a geothermal energy plant near sacred Medicine Lake in California.

The tribe and environmental groups have been battling the project for more than a decade. A ruling issued last week could finally ensure that the lake, which is known for its healing qualities, won't be harmed by the development, Indian Country Today reported.

"We’re not just fighting for our people but for everyone and for the waters of California," Chairman Mickey Gemmill Jr. told ICT.

The dispute centers on a series of leases between the Bureau of Land Management and Calpine Corporation. The BLM "continued" the leases without consulting the tribe.

Indianz.Com SoundCloud: 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Oral Arguments in Pit River Tribe v. BLM

But the agency never explained why it chose to continue the leases rather than extend them, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said in a unanimous decision last July. An extension would have required consultation, the court noted.

The tribe returned to court on April 19 for another hearing and declared victory after Judge John Mendez ordered further briefing on the matter. A written ruling has not been filed with the court's electronic records system but the following text was entered:

MOTION HEARING held on 4/19/2016 re [122] Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Medicine Lake Citizens for Quality Environment, Native Coalition for Medicine Lake Highlands Defense, Save Medicine Lake Coalition, Pit River Tribe, Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, [132] MOTION to STRIKE filed by Dept of Interior, Bureau of Land Management. After hearing arguments, the Court ordered further briefing: Defendants opening brief due 5/17/2016; Plaintiff's opposing brief due 6/14/2016; Defendant's reply brief due 6/28/2016. Should the Court require further hearing, the parties will be notified. Plaintiffs Counsel M. Takemoto-Chock; D. Sivas; A. Thesing present. Defendants Counsel D. Shellady; E. Niebauer present. Court Reporter: K. O'Halloran. (Vine, H)

Get the Story:
Pit River Tribe Scores Court Victory in Battle for Medicine Lake (Indian Country Today 4/25)

9th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Pit River Tribe v. BLM (July 20, 2015)