A federal judge in Washington D.C. has not issued a ruling on a temporary injunction to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
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The heart of the legal argument is whether the Army Corps of Engineers properly consult with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe ahead of the pipeline’s construction. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg listened to arguments and said he’d rule next month.
The 1,100 mile (1770.28 km) pipeline, being built by a group of firms led by Energy Transfer Partners, would be the first to bring Bakken shale from North Dakota directly to refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast.
“At this point, there is not a permit, but it is my understanding they are requesting a permit”, she said of the protests, according to Forum News Service. “I’m asking that we proceed with prayer and with peace”, Archambault said.
The tribe’s lawsuit, filed last month on behalf of the tribe by environmental group Earthjustice, said the project violates several federal laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act. Activists fears the pipeline, which is set to run 1,100 miles through the Dakotas and across the Missouri River, will contaminate ground water.
The pipeline’s owners agreed last week to halt construction near the reservation until Wednesday’s hearing, but it’s unclear whether that construction is still on hold. Judge James E. Boarsberg said he plans to issue a ruling by September 9. “There are thousands of people out there who are going to be very upset if they try to move ahead while the judge considers this issue”.
Corps spokeswoman Eileen Williamson said it is monitoring the campsite, but no particular action is in the works. She previously said that the agency’s review of the pipeline found “no significant impacts to the environment or historic properties”. Sarandon said the pipeline creates a “dangerous situation” that threatens the tribe’s drinking water.
“I’m here as a mother and a grandmother to thank the people of the Standing Rock community for bringing our attention to this terrible thing that is happening to their land, which in turn will endanger all of us. because all of our waters are connected”, said Sarandon, the Oscar-winning actress. “I’m out here because I believe clean water is a right for everyone; I’m here because I’m a human being and I want to have children some day, so it’s also my responsibility to make sure that all babies, all children have water”.
The board issued an order Wednesday requiring Dakota Access to provide detailed information about the progress of construction in Iowa and the cost the company will incur if it is required to work around the parcels. And Iowa landowners who are upset over the state utilities board allowance of eminent domain have sued and are waiting for that challenge to be heard.
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Demant said Amnesty International only recently began sending observers to protests within the United States to ensure that law enforcement officials were protecting the right to peacefully protest, though the organization has a long history of such observations internationally.
