Corp of Engineers: NO to Dakota Access

The Associated Press (via mail.com); Editors, Wisdom Quarterly

Celebration at the Oceti Sakowin camp after it was announced that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will NOT grant easement for the Dakota Access oil pipeline in Cannon Ball, N.D., Dec. 4, 2016 (AP).

 

Corp of Engineers says no to corporation.

[Trump is going to be mad.] North Dakota's leaders criticized the decision [against the Dakota Access corporation trying to make money at the expense of environment and Native Americans].

Gov. Jack Dalrymple call ed it a "serious mistake" that "prolongs the dangerous situation" of having several hundred protesters who are camped out on federal land during cold, wintry weather.

U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer said it's a "very chilling signal" for the future of infrastructure in the United States.

 

The four-state, $3.8 billion project is largely complete except for the now-blocked segment underneath Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir.

Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy said in a news release that her decision was based on the need to "explore alternate routes" for the pipeline's crossing.

Her full decision doesn't rule out that it take an alternative and less dangerous route as originally planned: it could cross under the reservoir or north of Bismarck.

 

"Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it's clear that there's more work to do," Darcy said. "The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing."

The company constructing the pipeline, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, had said it was unwilling to reroute the project. It had no immediate comment Sunday.

The decision came a day before the government's deadline for the several hundred people at the Oceti Sakowin, or Seven Council Fires, encampment to leave the federal land.

But demonstrators say they're prepared to stay, and authorities say they won't forcibly remove them.

As the news spread Sunday, cheers and chants of Mni wichoni -- "Water is life" in Lakota Sioux -- broke out among the protesters. Some in the crowd banged drums. Miles Allard, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux, said he was pleased but remained cautious, saying, "We don't know what Trump is going to do."

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"The whole world is watching," Allard added. "I'm telling all our people to stand up and not to leave until this is over." Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Sunday that the Department of Justice will "continue to monitor the situation" and stands "ready to provide resources to help all those who can play a constructive role in easing tensions." More