Supporters of the No Dakota Access Pipeline movement in Missoula lined the Higgens Street bridge Friday to raise their voices about the issue that hits home for tribal members across the nation.
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The US government has paused construction of the pipeline, ordering the pipeline’s construction company to temporarily halt construction on a stretch of land within 20 miles of Lake Oahe, which is held sacred by a Native American tribe.
Hundreds of tribes across the country have headed their call for support against the oil pipeline, which they say would destroy sacred and cultural sites, pollute the drinking water of millions and threaten local ecosystems.
The lawsuit, which requested a halt in construction on the pipeline, was struck down by Washington Judge James E. Boasberg, who stated that regulators acted appropriately when issuing permits.
Federal officials intervened in the ongoing dispute between the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and Texas-based Energy Transfer over the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline on Friday, and ordered a work stoppage of the pipeline construction on federal land. The tribe had sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in July, saying that they were not adequately consulted by the permit agency for the pipeline before the plans were drawn up. Tribal leaders say the project violates several federal laws and will harm water supplies. The tribe is anxious that it will effect the quality of drinking water downstream, in addition to desecrating several sacred sites.
Almost 40 people have been arrested since the protest began in April, including tribal chairman Dave Archambault II, though none stemmed from Saturday’s confrontation between protesters and construction workers.
He called the federal announcement “a handsome start” and told reporters that the dispute is a long way from over.
Numerous same groups that made their name opposing the Keystone XL pipeline have joined the fight against the $.3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline (DAP) that would bring 470,000 barrels of Bakken crude oil per day from western North Dakota to southern IL. “I don’t think they even realize the can of worms they’ve opened”.
A fight broke out between Native American protesters and private security hired by Energy Transfer Partners.
The US government’s move effectively blocks the firm behind Dakota Access Pipeline from construction around a lake and its surrounding areas, until further consultation with Native American tribes.
Robedeaux said the Standing Rock protest is why he wants to go to law school and become a tribal attorney.
This pause is only a temporary respite, and Judge Boesberg believes that the “tribe has not demonstrated that the injunction is warranted here”.
On Thursday, North Dakota’s archaeologist said a piece of private land that was not previously surveyed by the state would be surveyed for artifacts next week.
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LaDonna Brave Bull Allard was on her way to Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota, with a group of teenagers from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe when she heard the news. The agency also said it does not oppose extending a temporary restraining order until September 16, when the parties meet again for a status conference.
