02.07.17

Hoeven Statement on Corps' Notification of Congress that it Intends to Grant Easement for Dakota Access Pipeline

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after Secretary of the Army Robert Speer informed him that the Army Corps of Engineers has notified Congress of its intent to issue an easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline.

“Today, the Army Corps of Engineers announced that it has finished its review of the Dakota Access Pipeline project and intends to grant an easement no earlier than tomorrow afternoon. The easement will enable the company to complete the project. New energy infrastructure, like the Dakota Access Pipeline, is being built with the latest safeguards and technology.

“We will continue to work with the Corps, Department of Interior, Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to secure additional federal law enforcement resources to support state and local law enforcement. Also, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council has asked the protesters to leave the campsite on Corps land. Recently, we got additional Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers to assist at the protest site. We also secured Customs and Border Protection agents to assist state and local law enforcement and we are currently working to get more federal law enforcement assistance.

“Our nation needs new energy infrastructure, which means we must have a process to build safe, efficient and environmentally sound projects like pipelines and power lines. Going forward, we need to review the permitting process to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard and that a fair, certain, and legal process has been followed. The discord we have seen regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline doesn’t serve the tribe, the company, the Corps or any of the other stakeholders involved. Now, we all need to work together to ensure people and communities rebuild trust and peacefully resolve their differences.”

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