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Land O'Lakes, FL - The American Indian Movement of Florida (AIMFL) warned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and proponents of the Buccaneer and Gulfstream not to dig their gas pipeline through American Indian cemeteries.

        The Buccaneer and Gulfstream Pipelines, are competing bids for a heavy-duty gas pipeline to run through and service the growing Tampa Bay metropolitan area. The Buccaneer Pipeline, a joint pipeline development between Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) and Williams (NYSE:WMB), would run on the north end of the Tampa Bay area entering through Pasco County and running into Polk the Gulfstream Pipeline would run through Manatee county on the south end of Tampa Bay.

        Upon reviewing the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), AIMFL noticed scores of Indigenous mounds which the EIS noted as "insignificant" but were potentially Indigenous cemeteries.

        AIMFL therefore joined Pasco Citizens for Sanity and the Sierra Club in protesting the Buccaneer Pipeline prior to a hearing before the FERC.

        AIM Florida's State Executive Director, Sheridan Murphy, cautioned the FERC and both Buccaneer and Gulfstream that "No matter what we have to do, we will not allow you to put your pipeline through a burial site. So it's in your best interest to do a non-invasive survey and make sure there are no Indian cemeteries-or we will stop you through the courts or whatever." Murphy also chastised the FERC for calling Indigenous cemeteries "cultural resources".

        AIM Florida's Pasco County Director, Ruby Beaulieu, advised the FERC that AIM Florida was aware and concerned about Indigenous cemeteries that may now exist under the seabed due to erosion. Beaulieu also expressed AIMFL's support and solidarity with Citizens for Sanity and the Sierra Club and the citizens of Pasco County who turned out in significant number to record their vehement objection to the planned pipeline project.