INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Government Stops Work On Dakota Access Pipeline, More Water Studies And Tribal Input Needed

By Tara West
Published on: 10:07 PST, Nov 15, 2016

The United States government has halted the controversial Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota after an outcry from Native American citizens and environmental organizations. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially halted all work on the project until further water studies can be done and tribal input is received. The move comes just as Robert Kennedy Jr. was slated to join the protests.

The Daily Mail reports that work on the Dakota Access pipeline has been halted as the U.S. government waits to hear more from tribal leaders and environmentalists regarding the project. The Army Corps of Engineers says they will not allow the pipeline to cross the Corps land bordering Lake Oahe until the discussions are complete.

“While these discussions are ongoing, construction on or under Corps land bordering Lake Oahe cannot occur.”

The plans to stop the pipeline were announced as Robert F. Kennedy prepared to join the protests. Kennedy is an environmental attorney and president of the Waterkeeper Alliance, which seeks to protect watersheds worldwide and vowed to join the protest after it was revealed that a federal judge had denied Standing Rock’s request to halt the pipeline. PBS reports that Judge James Boasberg recently denied the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s request to halt the pipeline on grounds that it will cause significant harm to the tribe. Boasberg noted that “the Tribe has not shown it will suffer injury that would be prevented by any injunction the Court could issue.” Therefore, their request was dismissed.

Despite the apparent loss in court, the Army Corps temporary halt on the pipeline is being viewed as a win for the protesters. Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault II says the Army’s decision to hold off on allowing the easement for the pipeline is a signal that the tribe is being heard.

“Millions of people have literally and spiritually stood with us at Standing Rock. And for this, you have our deepest thanks and gratitude. The harmful and dehumanizing tactics by the state of North Dakota and corporate bullies did not go unnoticed because of you.”

However, the groups supporting the pipeline say that the Army Corps decision is motivated by “politics.” Kelcy Warren, CEO of Energy Transfer Partners, says that they are punishing a company that has done nothing by “play by the rules.”

“[The decision to halt the pipeline is] motivated purely by politics at the expense of a company that has done nothing but play by the rules.”

The company went so far as to say they would “vigorously pursue its legal rights” and that the protesters are attempting to kill the project by increased delays that will cost the business greatly. Dallas Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network is encouraging everyone to contact the Army Corp of Engineers to ask that they exert their power to stop the pipeline altogether.

“The purpose is to elevate the issue and to encourage the Army Corps to exert its power to stop this pipeline.”

According to Mother Jones, the victory is only temporary as the Army Corps could decide to allow the easement at anytime. However, the move by the Army is significant as they note they want to research the environmental risks further before approving the easement on Army Corp land that runs under Lake Oahe which provides drinking water to the Standing Rock tribe.

In the official Army Corps press release, the Army notes that they have informed the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, Energy Transfer Partners, and Dakota Access, LLC, that “additional discussion and analysis are warranted in light of the history of the Great Sioux Nation’s dispossessions of lands, the importance of Lake Oahe to the Tribe, our government-to-government relationship, and the statute governing easements through government property.” The Army went further by noting that no decision will be made on the pipeline until discussions with the tribe are complete.

“While these discussions are ongoing, construction on or under Corps land bordering Lake Oahe cannot occur because the Army has not made a final decision on whether to grant an easement. The Army will work with the Tribe on a timeline that allows for robust discussion and analysis to be completed expeditiously. We fully support the rights of all Americans to assemble and speak freely, and urge everyone involved in protest or pipeline activities to adhere to the principles of nonviolence.”

What do you think about the temporary Dakota Access pipeline victory?

[Featured Image by James MacPherson/AP Images]

Share this article: Government Stops Work On Dakota Access Pipeline, More Water Studies And Tribal Input Needed
Dakota Access Pipeline
More from Inquisitr