Letter: Pipeline will destroy land and water

The Bakken pipeline traversing Iowa through 18 counties, four public lands and nature trails, 84 watersheds and private property is a travesty. A crime against our land and water and individual rights.

Permitting construction of this pipeline flies in the face of tribal sovereignty and Iowa's laws governing eminent domain. It is sad to witness Iowa's leadership's disregard for the natural richness of this state, knowingly creating the possibility for environmental devastation.

From past experience we have learned that oil spills and leaking pipes are inevitable even with the best of contemporary construction practices and materials.

The Bakken pipeline will destroy habitat of wildlife. Soil and water will be so injured that it might never be able to heal. Some rare and endangered species will lose their breeding grounds and places for life specific to them.

Seventeen banks in Iowa have invested in the pipeline and for the governor to deem it more important to gain a few million dollars in tax revenue than to protect Iowa's environment is unforgivable.

The decisions of today will shape the future of our children, grand children and all future generations - if life on this planet will still be possible.

Renata Sack

Waterloo