Is it a hidden case of environmental obstructionism? The Eastern Band of the Cherokee is trying to stop Duke Energy from putting up a substation. Duke recently started tearing down the side of a mountain in the viewshed of a Cherokee sacred site to provide sufficient power for the expansion of Harrah’s casino and hotel. In response to objections from Chief Michell Hicks, Duke replied it was performing a routine upgrade on land it had purchased, and so it had not occurred to them that they would need the permission of the tribe. Moving forward, spokespeople from Duke said they intend to respect the tribe, and they’ve offered to buffer the site with a natural façade. That is not enough for some tribes people.
by Leslee Kulba
Wild West blogger