Dakota Access Pipeline protestors win a victory - or do they?

in #news7 years ago (edited)

Breaking news: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced today that they will deny the formerly planned easement underneath the Missouri River at the reservoir known as Lake Oahe.

From Star Tribune - Army Corps says it won't grant easement to build final section of Dakota Access pipeline:

CANNON BALL, N.D. – Cheers, prayer and song rang out as word spread among protesters here who for months have blocked a final link of a multibillion-dollar pipeline: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had put up a barrier of its own.

Corps spokeswoman Moria Kelley said in a news release Sunday that the administration will not allow the four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline to be built under Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir where construction had been on hold.

Protestors are expressing some happiness at the Corps' decision:

Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatari for the Star Tribune

Photo by David Goldman for Associated Press

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple continues with his bald-faced false concern over the protestors' safety, in a statement today:

The decision today by the Obama Administration to further postpone any action on the easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline is a serious mistake. It does nothing to resolve the issue, and worst of all it prolongs the serious problems faced by North Dakota law enforcement as they try to maintain public safety. The administration’s lack of action also prolongs the dangerous situation of having protesters camping during the winter on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ property.

False victory?

Jack Dalrymple is right about one thing, it does nothing to resolve the issue. If it's to be built, the pipeline would need to cross the Missouri River at some place upstream or downstream of the Standing Rock Tribe. Anywhere North will not ease the tribe's and their allies' objection regarding clean water. Routing the pipeline South of the reservation would be a massive detour that would leave behind much of the pipeline's existing construction in the Northwest corner of North Dakota. And it wouldn't alleviate the same general environmental and clean water concerns for anyone downriver.


Source: DAPL Pipeline Facts (PDF), edited for clarity.

Additionally, Jennifer Brooks of the Star Tribune writes:

The Corps' denial of an easement for the pipeline's construction may not halt construction; it could merely result in fines against the pipeline company if work continues. The company constructing the pipeline, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, and the Morton County Sheriff's Office didn't have immediate comment.

It's entirely possible that Energy Transfer Partners could continue construction and pay a fine that is within budget.


Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Dave Archambault II seems to think that the Army Corps of Engineers' decision means it's over:

gptchb.org

"We commend with the utmost gratitude the courage it took on the part of President Obama, the Army Corps, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior to take steps to correct the course of history and to do the right thing.”
“With this decision we look forward to being able to return home and spend the winter with our families.”





Other protestors, interviewed by the Washington Post, have a more pessimistic or perhaps realistic point of view:

Denise McKay, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux standing by the sacred fire Sunday afternoon, said she expects Energy Transfer Partners to push back on the decision.
“It is a temporary victory,” said McKay, 54. “We’ve got to stay put and stay united.” McKay’s daughter, Chelsea Summers, 25, chimed in, saying “everybody is still here for the long haul.”
Nearby, Bruce Gali took drags from a cigarette and watched the festivities. He made his second trip to the camp last week and said he would keep returning from his home in northeastern California until authorities left the area and the pipeline was shut down.

“Until all the razor wire comes down, until the helicopters stop flying overhead, the spotlights turn off, the drill pad is dismantled, this isn’t the end,” said Gali, a 67-year-old member of the Pitt River Tribe. “It’s not just about this pipeline.”

Sort:  

My friend has been there for the last 6 weeks and even got arrested. She posted her first Steemit post from the scene today. Please welcome her to Steemit and read about her first person perspective of the situation here. https://steemit.com/standingrock/@dcomposing/the-meaning-of-life-at-standing-rock

Good post sir.

I have done a lot of activism and some of it Envir. based. As you know I posted on this today when the news broke, I saw your interactions on the post a few mins ago.

You raise key points. This fight is far from over and the fact that Trump supports Big Oil and has stake in a company that is connected to this pipeline is an issue people need to be aware of.

The fight may not be over, but you have to celebrate the small victories like this, so today overall was good new. It's just not ALL the news. There is some precedent set here not the least of which ---

As soon as the Veterans got involved and started shipping into the area to support the Water Protectors --- the gov'ts and Army Corps of Eng. seemed to shift their gaze on the issue --- people need to remember that. I think that is important to note.

It was the only real opinion I put in my Steemit post today on the issue, to keep the Veterans' presence issue out on the front. I believe it is key.

Once they decided to take a stand on the police state behaviour, that shifted things.

https://steemit.com/news/@barrydutton/breaking-no-dapl-us-army-refuses-to-grant-easement-pipeline-will-not-be-built-under-missouri-river

It could be that the powers that be are perfectly happy to give the opposition small victories, as long as they don't win in the end. Small victories like this could shift a public looking for a simple narrative* into thinking the big guys didn't win. It could be to curb or dissuade the influx of new protestors from around the country, including veterans and our very own @kommienezuspadt. It could reduce the underdog effect that these protestors and natives have been granted so far by being trampled upon.

*I'm guilty of this, often.

Agreed brother well said.

The next misdirection and treasonous false flag attack on the masses is always just around the corner.

TY for the reply! Nice to hear from you.

We have pipeline battles and standoffs here in #Canadastan and we are regularly lied to and attacked by the gov't and police state just like there, we just have 10x less people and media and coverage.

BC Pipeline fight with the Native and Indiginous people there are just the latest -- and more broken political promises as usual.

Politics is full of lies and corruption. I know, I have been boots on the ground activist for years and bee smeared and targeted and lied about and stalked.

... We Steem On, as @runridefly says

I went to the profile you mentioned above, commented and followed him // here --- https://steemit.com/nature/@customnature/daily-nature-fix-help-lend-me-a-hand-in-getting-to-standing-rock

I read through your post and the linked article and im a little confused.

How exactly is the army granting an easement? Unless the pipeline is going through an army base, an issue like an easement is a matter for civil government.

Oh hahahahahaha!
STOP IT....your killing me.!

im not sure what you find so funny. Its pretty clear from your previous posts that you have little in the way of legal education or knowledge.

I guess you know better than an attorney about how and why one gets a right of way easement (incidentally, it was what i thought it was -- the Army corps of engineers built the dam and owns the dam and the surrounding land)

Regardless, flagged for the disrespectful tone and NC resposnse

Since 2010, over 3,300 incidents of crude oil and liquefied natural gas leaks or ruptures have occurred on U.S. pipelines.
http://www.foreffectivegov.org/blog/map-displays-five-years-oil-pipeline-spills
I drive an EV. It's not for everyone, but when there were gas shortages in Atlanta, I didn't affect me at all. When a power line goes down, just stay clear of it until the utilities fix it. When these pipes crap out, complete disaster.
Electricity is much easier to deal with than fossil fuels. (getting off soapbox) sorry for my gripe =<

Electricity is much easier to deal with than fossil fuels.

Because most electricity is fossil-fuel based?

See: https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=427&t=3

I should have specified that this was written specifically about powering vehicles. And power [from] the Grid is a blend of energy. Mostly coal, Coal can not be piped and thus does not apply. Transporting [energy] throughout our country was what I was trying to emphasize. Sorry for the confusion.

giggle
do you have any idea where electricity comes from?

A combination of sources my inciteful little peach. But lets not forget that the definative answer is the Grid. And the Grid, unlike any ICE vehicle that can't swap out more efficient engines when new models come out, is modular. Sure you can buy a new model. But most people just cant afford to do that. Then the Ford Expeditions chug along. But the modular Grid can redirect power in the event of a huge line failure instantly. One of these pipes goes out; calamity. And at some point in my lifetime fusion will find its way on the grid. But no flying Delorians with a Mr. Fusion running I'm affraid. Which it still ran on gas in the western movie.

But here is the stitch. Lets assume that you back fossil fuels. After all, they all come out of a flat earth right? 'Giggle'
How does the use of FF's benefit your life? Tell what you love about this stuff that you couldn't live without it. Seriously, I really would like to know. I see no purpose for them other than lack of viable alternatives and an effortless return on koch investments. But hey, some people just want to watch the world burn. Just another one of the Edward Bernays vector of mass manipulation. Only capable of criticizing everything they hate and seeing nothing to love, but this is the societal tumor called Ego. And Eddy's uncle Freud can teach you all about it.
Presh-Ate-Cha.

You lost me at little peach
I no longer take you seriously.
Your logical fallacies for the day...are to many to number.

Damn straight it's not just about that pipeline. May you have the strength to keep it going, all you honorable protectors out there...

A friend of mine has been there protesting for months now. She has even been arrested and as soon as she was released, went right back into the fight. Brave woman. Looks like it's goong to be a long, cold winter.

Really sending a lot of love to everyone. And really, who would trust the words from the administration and corps at this point? We need to see some concrete action and real changes.

Much love to your friend for protecting basic human needs. I'm finding a lot of power in the use of "protect" over "protest". There are cherished values and basic needs under assault and the protectors are standing up and supporting them under extreme duress. Amazing.

Personally, I would not trust a word the corporations say at this point and governments have a long history of deception, particularly with Indians.
Awareness and "protecting" is increasingly happening on a global level. Protecting, I like that.

indians.jpg

We can all choose viable alternatives to internal combustions (ICE) in a month or 2. Keep a look out for the chevy Bolt 238 miles per charge MSRP $30K WITH $7500 tax return and autonomous driving.

This is good news! But for how long until the next fight?

Thanks for sharing this great news, keep the good work

parabéns por partilhar conosco esta postagem.