UPDATE (February 2): Army PR just issued this statement attributed to MG Malcolm Frost, US Army Chief of Public Affairs
The Army has initiated the steps outlined in the January 24th Presidential Directive which directs the Acting Secretary of the Army to expeditiously review requests for approvals to construct and operate the Dakota Access Pipeline in compliance with the law. These initial steps do not mean the easement has been approved.
The Assistant Secretary for the Army Civil Works will make a decision on the pipeline once a full review and analysis is completed in accordance with the directive.
ACTION: You can register a comment at Army Department and let them know what you think of Dakota Access Pipeline project. Comments accepted until February 20.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2017
Contact:
Jade Begay, jade@350.org, 505-699-4791
Nina Smith, megaphonestrategies.com, 301-717-9006
Indigenous Environmental Network Responds to Acting Secretary of Army Corps’ Recommendation to Issue DAPL Easement
“We are falling into a dangerous place where the United States government makes up its own rules.”
CannonBall, ND - Today Robert Speer, acting Secretary of the Army Corp of Engineers, directed the Corps to proceed with the easement to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline. While this is not an official grant of the easement, it does indicate that the Corps will disregard the Environmental Impact Statement that was ordered by the Obama Administration and completion of the controversial pipeline could begin as soon this week.
The following is a statement from the Indigenous Environmental Network:
“We are disgusted but not surprised by the Secretary of the Army’s decision to recommend the easement on the Dakota Access Pipeline. Instead of following proper legal procedure and completing the Environmental Impact Study, the Army has chosen to escalate an already tense situation, go against their own processes, and potentially put peoples in harm's way.
We are falling into a dangerous place where the United States government makes up its own rules. We know the Trump Administration stands to gain from this project, the President of United States is an investor himself, and their actions reveal a blatant disregard for the rule of law and a clear interest in lining their own pockets. This decision follows Trump’s unfortunate attacks on immigrants, women, and the press. Now he is working even harder to attack sovereign tribal nations and historic treaties.
Trump and his climate denying cabinet are clearly doing what is best for their businesses and are willing to put profit before human rights and the environment. But make no mistake: we are prepared to mobilize and resist this brazen power grab.”
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Read the first paragraph carefully. While the pipeline completion work could begin as soon as this week. “This is not the issuance of the easement. It is a step towards issuance of the easement - which could come tomorrow, or next week, or next month....” said an attorney from Earth Justice. “...the litigants are looking at filing motions for injunctions in the existing court case.”
I was on a conference call with Dallas Goldtooth today from the Indigenous Environmental Network and several other activists for Standing Rock including the Water Protectors Legal Collective.
The messages today were that the main camp, Oceti Sakowin, is in the process of working with the EPA and moving out of the areas that will flood once the warmer spring weather arrives. Dallas wanted us to note that no one is raiding the camps and being forced out and some Water Protectors will remain. He said that the Standing Rock movement has given birth to many groups where some will stay and protect Standing Rock but other groups will travel to other pipeline construction locations throughout the nation.
We need to also consider the on-going legal defense of the hundreds of people arrested and charged with crimes while they protected the water for the 17 million people whose water source is dependent on the Missouri River. Angela Bibens of the Water Protectors Legal Collective is coordinating the out-of-state attorneys who have volunteered to help defend the numerous Water Protectors facing charges. Their Legal Collective is providing funds to pay for these lawyers’ travel and lodging expenses. If you wanna help out there, click on their link above.
For months, the Water Protectors have been facing the State of North Dakota, its National Guard, the Morton County Sheriff’s Department and now the White House as foes. The government protecting the pipeline instead of the people. The main adversary being the massive corporation who funds Dakota Access Pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners. Collectively, they are Goliath. But to say again, the Standing Rock movement has grown to one that will not be stopped.
Please watch for future actions regarding the Divestment Campaigns encouraging individuals and institutions to divest from banks who fund these pipeline projects.
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If you need more background: News Timeline of Standing Rock Water Protectors' resistance to Dakota Access Pipeline
Link to photo credit for Shiyé Bidzííl
