Critical Victory for Standing Rock Sioux

Army Corps Denies Key Permit for Dakota Access Pipeline

WASHINGTON  – The Army Corps of Engineers denied today a key easement permit under Lake Oahe for Energy Transfer Partners.  This decision is a major victory from the Standing Rock Sioux, who have been fighting to protect their land, water and heritage from a stretch of the Dakota Access Pipeline that Energy Transfer Partners seeks to build under their sovereign nation. The Corps is expected to undertake an environmental impact statement to look at possible alternative routes. 

Following is a statement from Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Today, the voices of indigenous people were heard. The rights of a sovereign nation were respected. The Standing Rock Sioux and the myriad of indigenous communities by their side remind us all of the power of individuals to stand up and stand together to demand environmental justice.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​

 

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