Relations between the tribe and corps didn’t improve in 2015, when tribal officials canceled several meetings, according to the ruling.
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The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has been trying to stop construction of the four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline near their reservation since this spring. The Corps requested that the pipeline company voluntarily pause all construction within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahe.
Carina Miller, tribal council member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, took this all in while driving back to OR from the protest.
The Corps had supported the temporary work stoppage on Wednesday in order to prevent further clashes between protestors and private security guards near construction sites.
“The Army will move expeditiously to make this determination, as everyone involved – including the pipeline company and its workers – deserves a clear and timely resolution”, the government said in a press statement.
Stein had been photographed while spray-painting construction equipment when she joined the Native Americans in their protests against the $3.8 billion pipeline earlier this week.
Owned by Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, the $3.8 billion, 1,172-mile project would carry almost a half-million barrels of crude oil daily from North Dakota’s oil fields through South Dakota and Iowa to an existing pipeline in Patoka, Illinois, where shippers can access Midwest and Gulf Coast markets. We will continue to pursue vindication of the tribes lawful rights even if the pipeline is complete..
Apart from concerns about construction disrupting sacred tribal sites, conservation groups have said they fear oil leaks could contaminate farmland and water resources near the pipeline.
Dave Archambault II, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, hailed the decision, and vowed to continue fighting against the project.
“The Army will not authorize constructing the Dakota Access pipeline on Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe until it can determine whether it will need to reconsider any of its previous decisions regarding the Lake Oahe site under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or other federal laws”, the joint statement said.
At least 100 people gathered Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The Portland protesters, however, were undeterred by the ruling. But the U.S. Justice Department responded to the ruling by announcing steps to protect for now a lake along the construction route. In court papers, it said stopping the project would cost $1.4 billion the first year, mostly due to lost revenue in hauling crude. As of late Friday, the company had not said whether it would comply.
The Corps argued in court records that it “followed a robust tribal consultation process” and said Standing Rock withdrew from a scheduled site visit of the proposed Lake Oahe crossing, a dammed section of the Missouri River.
The state’s Private Investigation and Security Board received complaints about the use of dogs and will look into whether the private security teams at the site are properly registered and licensed, board attorney Monte Rogneby said Friday, adding that he would not name the firms.
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“The Yurok Tribe stands in solidarity and support of the Standing Rock Sioux and all the tribal communities that are out there fighting against this destructive pipeline”, said Yurok Vice Chairman David Gensaw.
