New front in Line 3 legal fight: Wild rice is plaintiff in lawsuit against DNR

Opponents of the new Line 3 oil pipeline being built across northern Minnesota have argued for years that it endangers dwindling stands of wild rice, a plant sacred to many Indigenous people.

Now, the wild rice is speaking up for itself.

The water-dwelling plant is the lead plaintiff in a novel lawsuit by the White Earth Band of Ojibwe against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The legal action comes during a summer of intense protest and demonstration as the pipeline nears completion.

https://www.startribune.com/new-front-in-line-3-legal-fight-wild-rice-is-plaintiff-in-lawsuit-against-dnr/600085168/