02.08.17

Hoeven Statement on the Corps Issuing the Final Easement for Dakota Access Pipeline

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after Colonel John Henderson, Commander of the Omaha District of the Army Corps of Engineers, notified him that the final easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline has been issued:

“Today, the Army Corps of Engineers granted the final easement required to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline project, which will be equipped with the latest safeguards and technology to protect the Standing Rock Sioux and all people downstream. Also it will make our country stronger and more secure by helping us produce and transport more domestic energy instead of importing it from the Middle East.

“Now, we all need to work together to make sure the project is completed safely and with as little disruption to the community as possible. This has been a very difficult issue for everyone who lives and works in the area. We have called on the Corps, Department of Interior, Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to provide 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 and Chairman Archambault has appealed to people to act peacefully.

“Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers are already on site at our request to assist state and local law enforcement. We continue to work with the Corps and Customs and Border Protection officials to secure additional federal law enforcement personnel and resources to help keep the peace during the final leg of construction.

“Going forward, we are committed to reviewing the permitting process to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard and that a fair, certain, and legal process has been followed when approving new infrastructure. We all need to work together to ensure people and communities rebuild trust and peacefully resolve their differences.” 

-###-