Army Corps of Engineers Blocks Dakota Access Pipeline Route

'This is history,' says one organizer
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 4, 2016 3:57 PM CST
Army Corps of Engineers Blocks Dakota Access Pipeline Route
Members of the clergy join protesters against the Dakota Access oil pipeline in southern North Dakota near Cannon Ball on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, to draw attention to the concerns of the Standing Rock Sioux and push elected officials to call for a halt to construction. The tribe says the $3.8 billion,...   (AP Photo/James MacPherson)

US Army Corps of Engineers says it won't grant an easement for the Dakota Access oil pipeline in southern North Dakota, the AP reports. Corps spokeswoman Moria Kelley said in a news release Sunday that the administration will not allow the four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline to be built under Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir where construction had been on hold. Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy said her decision was based on the need to "explore alternate routes" for the pipeline's crossing. The route has been the subject of months of protests by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and others, who have argued the pipeline threatens a water source and cultural sites.

The company constructing the pipeline, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, and the Morton County Sheriff's Office didn't have immediate comment. The federal government has ordered people to leave the main encampment, which is on Army Corps of Engineers' land and is close to the construction site, by Monday. Demonstrators say they're prepared to stay, and federal, state and local authorities say they won't forcibly remove the protesters. "This is history," said Veterans for Standing Rock co-organizer Michael Wood upon hearing the news, per Snopes. KFGO notes that the situation could change once Donald Trump takes office. (More Dakota Access Pipeline stories.)

Get breaking news in your inbox.
What you need to know, as soon as we know it.
Sign up
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X