The Dakota Access Pipeline construction has resumed after a long political delay by the former Obama administration. As expected after Donald Trump took office not even a month ago, he immediately signed Executive Orders for both the Keystone and Dakota Access pipeline projects to lay the groundwork for moving them forward.
Just two days ago the Army Corps of Engineers notified Congress of their intention to issue the final easement for the roughly 1,200 feet of drilling under Lake Oahe. That easement is now in place and work has resumed.
Earthjustice has reported that the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is going to challenge the easement on the grounds that the Enviromental Impact Statement, previously announced by the Corps, was wrongfully terminated. In addition to this, they reported the intentions of the Tribe to seek to shut down the pipeline should they complete construction before court challenges are complete.
While resuming construction moves the pipeline closer to completion, it is obvious that this issue is not over yet in the eyes of the Tribe. Let’s hope for the sake of North Dakota and especially residents of Morton County that things can come to a peaceful end.
Source:
1. http://earthjustice.org/features/faq-standing-rock-litigation