In a huge victory for the North Dakota Access Pipeline Protesters, the Feds denied final permits required for the Dakota Access Pipeline project on Sunday.
The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing.” – Jo-Ellen Darcy, Army’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Works
Also check out US Army refuses North Dakota pipeline permit
The Army Corps of Engineers announced it would conduct an environmental impact review of the pipeline project to determine other ways to route the pipeline to avoid a crossing on the Missouri River.
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.” – Army Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy said in a statement.
On November 25th, John W. Henderson of the Army Corps of Engineers sent a letter to all of the leaders of the Great Plains tribes with an eviction date of December 5th. In the letter to Chairman Dave Archambault II of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, he stated,
This decision is necessary to protect the general public from the violent confrontations between protestors and law enforcement officials that have occurred in this area, and to prevent death, illness, or serious injury to inhabitants of encampments due to the harsh North Dakota winter conditions. The necessary emergency, medical, and fire response services, law enforcement, or sustainable facilities to protect people from these conditions on this property cannot be provided.”
In the letter, he suggested another location as a “free speech zone” for anyone wanting to continue their protest. He warns that those who do not comply will be subject to prosecution under federal, state, and local laws.
A coalition of groups protesting the Dakota Access pipeline released a statement in response declaring, “We will not be moved.”
Chairman Archambault went on to say,
The best way to protect people during the winter, and reduce the risk of conflict between water protectors and militarized police, is to deny the easement for the Oahe crossing, and deny it now… Again, we ask that the United States stop the pipeline and move it outside our ancestral and treaty lands.”
Aside from the threat to the water, one fundamental issue is appalling. The Army Corps of Engineers says the protesters are on government land. While the protesters state,
The Army Corps has no authority to evict us from these lands. The Oceti Sakowin encampment is located on the ancestral homeland of the Lakota, Mandan, Arikara and Northern Cheyenne—on territory never ceded to the U.S. government, and affirmed in the 1851 Treaty of Ft. Laramie as sovereign land belonging to the Great Sioux Nation.”
Archambault also said,
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe stands united with more than 300 tribal nations and the water protectors who are here peacefully protesting the Dakota access pipeline to bolster indigenous people’s rights. We continue to fight for these rights, which continue to be eroded. Although we have suffered much, we still have hope that the President will act on his commitment to close the chapter of broken promises to our people and especially our children.”
Apparently, President Obama was listening. Today, Sunday, December 4th, one day before the deadline, The New York Times reports that the Army Corps announced it will not approve construction permits for the pipeline and that it will look for alternate routes.
It is important to note that President Elect Donald Trump formally announced his support for completion of the pipeline on December 1st. He claimed that his own financial investments and campaign support and donations (both significant) did not influence his stance. His claims his decision is based on its benefit for all Americans.
Progress for the greater good, or in this case, “benefit for all Americans” is a continuation of the cultural genocide our government has justified for more than 200 years.
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Sources:
- Federal Officials to Explore Different Route for Dakota Pipeline – The New York Times
- Army Corps Sends Eviction Notice to Standing Rock – EcoWatch
- Trump Formally Announces Support for the Dakota Access Pipeline – EcoWatch
- Letter from the Army Corps of Engineers – November 25, 2016
- Sheriff mistook sacred pipes for pipe bombs at pipeline protest site – Indianz.com