The Department of the Army will not approve an easement that would allow the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota, the Army’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Works announced today.
Jo-Ellen Darcy said she based her decision on a need to explore alternate routes for the Dakota Access Pipeline crossing. Her office had announced on November 14, 2016 that it was delaying the decision on the easement to allow for discussions with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, whose reservation lies 0.5 miles south of the proposed crossing. Tribal officials have expressed repeated concerns over the risk that a pipeline rupture or spill could pose to its water supply and treaty rights.
“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.”
Darcy said that the consideration of alternative routes would be best accomplished through an Environmental Impact Statement with full public input and analysis.
–US Army Press Release
Army Will Not Grant Easement for Dakota Access Pipeline Crossing
WTF! Goddamn, this is good. Let’s hope it stands. You brave folk who’ve been on the front lines of this fight? From the bottom to the very top of my heart, I thank you so much. You are the best of what humanity can be. I’m ashamed I’m not nearly as good. But, you know what? You raised the bar.
Of course, I hear the Army will change positions once Trump is in the White House. So much for listening to the experts in the military.
To be sure — but those courageous people still raised the bar. This does, and will, matter. We don’t know how or when. But it will.