“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.
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Pipeline decision day began with a ceremonial march from the Sacred Stone Camp to a site Native Americans claim was a burial site that was disturbed by Dakota Access Pipeline construction.
“Important issues” had been raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other tribal nations about both the Dakota Access pipeline and other pipeline projects in general, the USA government said in a statement. Earlier today, it seemed as if Energy Transfer Partners had won when a federal court sided with the company and granted it permission to continue the Dakota Access Pipeline, however, soon afterwards, the Obama Administration announced that it would have the construction stop. On its website, the company says that it will take precautions to safeguard culturally or environmentally sensitive areas.
Dakota Access says on its website that it expects the pipeline to transport about 470,000 barrels of crude oil every day from production areas in North Dakota’s Bakken and Three Forks production areas through South Dakota, Iowa and into IL, while also creating thousands of construction jobs and generating millions in tax revenue for those four states.
At least 100 people gathered Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline. Thousands of people have protested the proposed pipeline, including Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein. Everything in its path will die, ” Wokase from the Standing Rock Sioux said.
If completed, the 1,172-mile pipeline would carry 470,000 barrels of crude oil a day from North Dakota to IL.
The pipeline case is just the latest incident in which American Indian tribes say the US government does not adequately consider their culture or territorial claims when making decisions.
The Department of Justice called upon Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners to voluntarily halt construction temporarily within 20 miles of Lake Oahe, which is considered sacred to the regional native tribes.
The move came shortly after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington rejected a request from Native Americans for a court order to block the project.
The federal appeal to Boasberg’s decision is scheduled for September 14. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which examined separately each water crossing, is accused of sidelining tribal interest. As cars zoomed past honking support, attendees waved signs and ran through a series of pro-water, anti-pipeline chants before settling in for some speechifying from local tribal leaders.
Almost 40 people have been arrested since the protest began in April, including tribal chairman Dave Archambault II.
‘This demolition is devastating, ‘ Archambault said.
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In advance of that decision, Governor Jack Dalrymple ordered National Guard troops to the area from bases in Bismarck and two other cities. Private security workers used guard dogs and pepper spray.
