The tribe last week organized protesters to occupy land less than a mile from the tribe’s reservation boundary – land that Dakota Access had meant to cross in order to begin laying down pipe, said Nicole Donaghy, a native of Standing Rock and lobbyist for the Dakota Resource Council. “They haven’t worked, so this is where we’re at right now”.
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The Dakota Access pipeline is a $3.78-billion infrastructure project created to transport up to 570,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the Bakken/Three Forks formations in North Dakota to a terminus near Patoka, Illinois, crossing the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday against protesters interfering with the Dakota Access pipeline construction as opponents continued to grow in number.
Dakota Access began work on the almost $3.8 billion project this spring following permit approval by the PSC and regulators in other states along the route.
Standing Rock opposes the Missouri River crossing because tribal members fear a pipeline leak would threaten their water supply and other sacred sites. The Texas-based company’s complaint alleges protesters are putting the safety of workers and law enforcement at risk.
The pipeline will carry more than 500,000 barrels of oil per day from North Dakota to IL. This comes months after a similar-in-length pipeline, the Keystone XL pipeline project, was axed in November previous year. The pipeline is to begin in western North Dakota near Stanley and end near Patoka, Ill.
“I wanted to support the Standing Rock people”.
“They have a right to build this project”, said Fedorchak, adding that the company went through the proper permitting process and was granted approval.
Braun, who was the first to set up the Sacred Stone Camp near Cannon Ball on April 1 to protest the pipeline, wiped away tears after additional supporters arrived late Monday to join the demonstration.
More than 200 protesters faced off with police and private, armed security guards, with a total of 16 protesters arrested last Thursday and Friday, according to the Morton County Sheriff’s Department.
“We are disappointed that there are those who will put the lives of others in jeopardy”, said Lisa Dillinger, a Dakota Access spokeswoman. He says construction is slated to resume Wednesday. It’s unclear when it will be determined safe for work to continue.
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Dakota Access states in court records it costs more than $75,000 for each day of lost construction, and the damages are expected to increase significantly for each day construction is halted.
