Heitkamp Statement on Army Corps Decision to Require Dakota Access Pipeline Protestors to Move from Federal Land

Statement

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after the Army Corps of Engineers' decision to require Dakota Access pipeline protesters to leave Corps land north of the Cannonball River.

"The decision by the Army Corps is a needed step to support the safety of residents, workers, protestors, and law enforcement," said Heitkamp. "Safety must remain the top priority for everyone, and to help make that possible, it's critical protestors peacefully and lawfully move off of the Corps land north of the Cannonball River and to the identified federal and tribal lands. There has been an escalation of violence among some of the protestors that puts their lives, as well as the lives of law enforcement, residents, and land owners in jeopardy. We will continue to work together in a bipartisan way to make sure the Corps' decision is adhered to and that all North Dakotans are protected. That also means the Administration must make a decision on the easement under Lake Oahe -- just as I pressed the White House for again during a conversation last week. For too long, we have waited in limbo as the decision is put off. This issue needs to be put to rest once and for all for the sake of the safety of our communities."

For the past several months, Heitkamp and her staff have been meeting regularly with local law enforcement, land owners, workers, and residents about the Dakota Access pipeline protests. She has had continued conversations with the White House, Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S. Department of Interior to push for a final decision on the easement going under Lake Oahe. She has also been working in a joint effort with the federal delegation and Governor Jack Dalrymple to push for federal funds to provide law enforcement with needed resources to support public safety during the ongoing demonstrations. Just last week, Heitkamp spoke with a top official at the White House and specifically pressed him about how the president needs to act now to make a decision on whether to grant the easement and pushed for federal funds for law enforcement.

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