All signs indicate that a massive shipment of oil refinery equipment destined for Canada will embark Sunday night from the Port of Umatilla, traveling through Eastern Oregon before the load eventually crosses state lines into southern Idaho.

And while the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) have not come out in opposition of the megaload itself, they and others do have concerns about the process.  CTUIR spokesman Chuck Sams said the state had not consulted with the tribes about the project heading through their ceded territory, as required by law.

The tribes are not planning any formal protests, Sams said, but another group of climate activists is planning to arrive from across the state for a peaceful demonstration at the Port of Umatilla. Continue reading →