Heitkamp Statement on Army Corps Decision to Deny Dakota Access Easement under Lake Oahe

Statement

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied the easement for the Dakota Access pipeline to go under Lake Oahe.

"It's long past time that a decision is made on the easement going under Lake Oahe," said Heitkamp. "This administration's delay in taking action -- after I've pushed the White House, Army Corps, and other federal agencies for months to make a decision -- means that today's move doesn't actually bring finality to the project. The pipeline still remains in limbo. The incoming administration already stated its support for the project and the courts have already stated twice that it appeared the Corps followed the required process in considering the permit. For the next month and a half, nothing about this project will change. For the immediate future, the safety of residents, protesters, law enforcement, and workers remains my top priority as it should for everyone involved. As some of the protesters have become increasingly violent and unlawful, and as North Dakota's winter has already arrived -- with a blizzard raging last week through the area where protesters are located -- I'm hoping now that protesters will act responsibly to avoid endangering their health and safety, and move off of the Corps land north of the Cannonball River.

"Additionally, our federal delegation and governor have been working together in a bipartisan effort to push for more federal resources for law enforcement who have worked day and night through weekends and holidays to support the safety of our communities. The administration needs to provide those funds -- whether the protesters remain or not."

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. Heitkamp recently 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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