The $4 billion dollar project could still be approved by President-elect Donald Trump who is heavily invested in the pipeline
Story Transcript
JAISAL NOOR, TRNN: It was cheers, celebrations and relief after the Obama administration announced on Sunday December 4 it would not approve the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline under Lake Oahe in North Dakota. In a statement the Army Corps of Engineer said they based their decision on a need to explore alternate routes for the Dakota Access Pipeline crossing, which would be best accomplished through an Environmental Impact Statement. The move comes after months of protest lead by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who said the pipeline threatens their drinking water and sacred sites, and was backed by the largest convergence of Native American tribes in over a century. Hundreds were arrested including journalists, with several facing severe injuries. The pipeline was originally slated to go North of Bismarck, North Dakota but that plan was rejected because of concerns over the impacts on local drinking water there The project could still be approved by President-elect Donald Trump, who has tens of thousands of dollars invested in the pipeline and voiced support for finishing the pipeline under Lake Oahe, its current route. An industry PR group responded, “with President-elect Trump set to take office in just a few weeks, we are hopeful that this is not the final word on the Dakota Access Pipeline.” This is Kandi Mosset of Indigenous Environmental Network, reacting to the news. KANDI MOSSET: It’s because of all of you guys and your prayers and all the people that hurt us and responded to the call. But this is important. This is important right here. The Obama administration did say that the Army Corps of Engineers did deny the permit to bore under the Missouri River. However, the Obama administration will be turning over January 20th and we must have a full environmental impact statement. We must remain vigilant. As you know our president-elect is Donald Trump. He is in support of the Dakota Access Pipeline. So we remain totally happy here but we remain vigilant and we will remain pushing for a full environmental impact statement for the over 1,100 mile long four state long pipeline. NOOR: The decision came the same weekend as over 2,000 veterans joined the resistance and vowed to form a human shield around water protectors. Stay tuned to the real news.com for updates on this story. This is Jaisal Noor.
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