Already, the Morton County Sheriff’s Office estimated it is spending $100,000 a week in overtime costs to monitor the protests, and the North Dakota Highway Patrol is spending $65,000 weekly to do the same.
Advertisement
“We’re now evaluating the situation and intend to visit when arrangements are made”, Chief Archaeologist Paul Picha told Forum News Service.
Rain ultimately ended the action today, as the pipeline workers couldn’t work in, what the protectors called, “the freshly blessed land”. The developer, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, says modern technology allows quick detection of leaks.
Tribal chair David Archambault said that regardless of how the Federal Court rules on Friday, he doesn’t want to see a repeat of that conflict.
When completed, the mostly 30-inch pipeline will start near Stanley and cross South Dakota and Iowa on its way to Patoka, Ill.
Four Nebraska Native American tribes adopted the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline as their own Thursday, arguing that the oil pipeline set to run from North Dakota to IL endangers their water and the Missouri River itself. Even if the outcome of the court’s ruling is not in our favor, we will continue to explore every lawful option and fight against the construction of the pipeline.
“If something’s been missed or there’s additional assurances that can be made, then let’s do that and move forward peacefully in a productive manner before kids or moms or security guards or anybody else is hurt or, God forbid, killed in this protest”, Fedorchak said.
“The Guard members will serve in administrative capacities and assist in providing security at traffic information points – the Guardsmen will not be going to the actual protest site”, Balken said.
The US Army Corps of Engineers approved the project in July.
But Native American leaders argue they were not adequately consulted regarding the pipeline’s route, and they are concerned for the environmental consequences and the impact on groundwater.
The Standing Rock Sioux “have a right to determine what happens and the government needs not to break laws that have been put in place to protect lands and sacred sites”, said Sandra Wiens, a member of the First Congregational Church of Guilford’s Peace, Affirmation and Justice Ministry.
Protesters have included actress Shailene Woodley and Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.
Court records show Stein was charged Wednesday in Morton County with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and criminal mischief.
Protests against the pipeline grew in early August, when heavy machinery arrived and construction began.
“Because of the increased and prolonged need for law enforcement resources, I have asked General (Al) Dohrman to make available some North Dakota National Guard personnel to support law enforcement and augment their public safety efforts”, Dalrymple said.
Advertisement
The incident prompted the tribe’s lawyers to request a temporary restraining order on further construction in that location.
