By Army and DOINovember 14, 2016
November 14, 2016 Moira Kelley
(DOA) 703-614-3992, moira.l.kelley.civ@mail.mil
Jessica Kershaw (DOI),
interior_press@ios.doi.gov
Washington, D.C. -- Today, the Army informed
the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Energy Transfer Partners, and Dakota Access, LLC,
that it has completed the review that it launched on September 9, 2016. The
Army has determined that additional discussion and analysis are warranted in
light of the history of the Great Sioux Nation's dispossessions of lands, the
importance of Lake Oahe to the Tribe, our government-to-government relationship,
and the statute governing easements through government property.
The Army
invites the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to engage in discussion regarding
potential conditions on an easement for the pipeline crossing that would reduce
the risk of a spill or rupture, hasten detection and response to any possible
spill, or otherwise enhance the protection of Lake Oahe and the Tribe's water
supplies. The Army invites discussion of the risk of a spill in light of such
conditions, and whether to grant an easement for the pipeline to cross Lake Oahe
at the proposed location. The Army continues to welcome any input that the
Tribe believes is relevant to the proposed pipeline crossing or the granting of
an easement.
While these discussions are ongoing, construction on or
under Corps land bordering Lake Oahe cannot occur because the Army has not made
a final decision on whether to grant an easement. The Army will work with the
Tribe on a timeline that allows for robust discussion and analysis to be
completed expeditiously.
We fully support the rights of all Americans to
assemble and speak freely, and urge everyone involved in protest or pipeline
activities to adhere to the principles of nonviolence.
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