Breaking News from North Dakota 12-4-16… “DAPL Easement DENIED”… “Army Corps of Engineers halts Dakota Access Pipeline work”
[Kp update: an MSNBC video of the announcement is available here.]I woke up this morning seeing this “plastered” all over FaceBook, and so I’m placing several articles below from which to read more. All are from December 4, 2016.
DAPL: Sec of Army Announced the Easement has been DENIED
“””We will not fight tonight, we will dance!”, said Rami Bald Eagle, Cheyenne River Lakota Tribal Leader shared the great news, with much celebration breaking out among the people.Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s Statement on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Decision to Not Grant Easement (Stand with Standing Rock website)
“Thousands of U.S. Veterans have boots on the ground at the Standing Rock Protest, many more than expected. Tim King, former editor of Salem-News.com, is there and heard the announcement. U.S. military Veterans have been standing “out front” for a couple of days with more of their brothers and sisters-in-arms arriving daily. No, they do not have weapons.”
“We want to thank everyone who played a role in advocating for this cause. We thank the tribal youth who initiated this movement. We thank the millions of people around the globe who expressed support for our cause. We thank the thousands of people who came to the camps to support us…
[Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II] “We wholeheartedly support the decision of the administration and commend with the utmost gratitude the courage it took on the part of President Obama, the Army Corps, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior to take steps to correct the course of history and to do the right thing. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and all of Indian Country will be forever grateful to the Obama Administration for this historic decision.
“We hope that Kelcey Warren, Governor Dalrymple, and the incoming Trump administration respect this decision… we must strive to work together to reach decisions that reflect the multifaceted considerations of tribes. Treaties are paramount law and must be respected, and we welcome dialogue on how to continue to honor that moving forward.
“To our local law enforcement, I hope that we can work together to heal our relationship as we all work to protect the lives and safety of our people. I recognize the extreme stress that the situation caused and look forward to a future that reflects more mutual understanding and respect.”
BREAKING NEWS: Army Corps of Engineers halts Dakota Access Pipeline work (The Indigenous Peoples News)
“On Sunday afternoon, reports began to trickle in that the Army Corps of Engineers has denied a permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline to continue construction.DAPL protesters proclaim victory as pipeline forced to change route – statement (RT, Russia Today)
“Spontaneous celebrations are erupting in the protest camps and on the Sioux reservation. More on this story as it develops.”
“”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,” said a statement on the US Army website, citing the Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, Jo-Ellen Darcy.Federal Officials to Explore Different Route for Dakota Pipeline (NY Times)
“According to Darcy, it was “clear” they needed to address concerns of tribal leaders who expressed concerns over the potential environmental impact of the Dakota Access Pipeline, and “the best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing… The consideration of alternative routes would be best accomplished through an Environmental Impact Statement with full public input and analysis,” the Army statement said.
“Standing Rock Sioux chairman Dave Archambault II has issued a statement expressing his gratitude to the Obama administration for enabling the “historic decision” to re-reroute the pipeline.
“North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple reacted to the news of the changed route in a statement, calling the decision ‘‘a serious mistake’’ that “prolongs the serious problems” that law enforcement faces, as well as what he described as the dangerous situation experienced by those camping in cold winter conditions.”
“Federal officials announced on Sunday that they would not approve permits for construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline beneath a dammed section of the Missouri River that tribes say sits near sacred burial sites.
“The decision is a victory for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of protesters camped near the construction site who have opposed the project because they said would it threaten a water source and cultural sites.”