Re: Permit issued for archeological survey at Thacker Pass
in response to
by
posted on
Oct 06, 2021 05:37PM
Lots of misinformation out there on this.
I have read the new Motion, including the exhibits. The Plaintiffs have presented new evidence that a massacre did indeed exist, including the date and location, and that it was committed by the US Cavalry. It is saddening to read what occurred. However, the massacre occured in the Quinn River Valley. The massacre site is 5 miles from the boundary of the Project Area. The Plaintiffs are arguing (but provide no evidence) that tribal members could have fled the five+ miles (and steep elevation) from the massacre site to the Project Area, where they could have been found and killed. There is no evidence of this - it is purely speculation.
To be clear, there is no known massacre site in the Project Area, as alleged on TOB.
It is important to keep in mind also that the underlying issue here is whether the BLM acted reasonably and in good faith during the consultation process. If they did, the Tribes have no claim, and an injunction cannot be issued. Judge Du has already ruled that "... the Tribes are unlikely to prevail on the merits of their consultation claim."
The only issues I am concerned about are 1) the risk that the excavation uncovers bones (unlikely) and 2) LAC's "social license to operate" might be diminished due to all of the "noise".