Federal Judge Won’t Halt Final Work on Dakota Access Pipeline

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Disappointed but not surprised. It’s the reaction of an attorney for the Native American tribes and environmentalists fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline after a Federal judge denied their request for a restraining order.

The ruling on Monday means Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners will be allowed to continue drilling to finish the $3.8 billion project. The only stretch that remains to be completed is about a mile of pipeline beneath the Missouri River.

Chase Iron Eyes, lead counsel in the Dakotas for Lakota People’s Law Project said the fight is far from over.

“The tribes will continue to pursue legal remedies through the courts, seek an injunction against the pipeline and push for the full Environmental Impact Statement to be completed.”

The tribes had argued the construction of the project and flow of oil under Lake Oahe obstructs their free practice of religion. Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court in Washington rejected the motion.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe had led the fight against the pipeline. But lsat week, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe filed a court motion seeking the restraining order after the Army Corps of Engineers granted an easement lsat week and ended plans to do an environmental review. The easement grant was given after President Trump ordered the Army secretary to move forward with the project.