Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

September 9, 2016

Obama's intervention is misleading in voluntary pause of portion of pipeline

Today's federal court decision reveals that when Obama came to Standing Rock in the summer of 2014, the Dakota Access pipeline was obtaining permits for Standing Rock.


By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
updated Sept. 9, 2016 5 pm

WASHINGTON -- Today's intervention by President Obama is misleading. Obama is only asking Dakota Access pipeline to voluntarily halt construction around the lake, while permits are re-evaluated. Further, this only applies to the area around the lake.

The Obama administration states, "we request that the pipeline company voluntarily pause all construction activity within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahe."

Today's response from the federal court reveals what Censored News exposed earlier. When Obama came to Standing Rock in the summer of 2014, and was photographed holding babies, Dakota Access pipeline was already obtaining permits for Standing Rock.

The following excerpt is from the denial of Standing Rock's case by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg.

Dept. of Justice, Army, and Interior issue joint statement on Standing Rock

     
“The Army will not authorize constructing the Dakota Access pipeline on Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe until it can determine whether it will need to reconsider any of its previous decisions regarding the Lake Oahe site under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or other federal laws.  Therefore, construction of the pipeline on Army Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe will not go forward at this time. 

JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR REGARDING STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE V. U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice, the Department of the Army and the Department of the Interior issued the following statement regarding Standing Rock Sioux Tribe v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

“We appreciate the District Court’s opinion on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.  However, important issues raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other tribal nations and their members regarding the Dakota Access pipeline specifically, and pipeline-related decision-making generally, remain.  Therefore, the Department of the Army, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior will take the following steps.

“The Army will not authorize constructing the Dakota Access pipeline on Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe until it can determine whether it will need to reconsider any of its previous decisions regarding the Lake Oahe site under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or other federal laws.  Therefore, construction of the pipeline on Army Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe will not go forward at this time.  The Army will move expeditiously to make this determination, as everyone involved — including the pipeline company and its workers — deserves a clear and timely resolution.  In the interim, we request that the pipeline company voluntarily pause all construction activity within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahe.

“Furthermore, this case has highlighted the need for a serious discussion on whether there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes’ views on these types of infrastructure projects.  Therefore, this fall, we will invite tribes to formal, government-to-government consultations on two questions:  (1) within the existing statutory framework, what should the federal government do to better ensure meaningful tribal input into infrastructure-related reviews and decisions and the protection of tribal lands, resources, and treaty rights; and (2) should new legislation be proposed to Congress to alter that statutory framework and promote those goals.

“Finally, we fully support the rights of all Americans to assemble and speak freely.  We urge everyone involved in protest or pipeline activities to adhere to the principles of nonviolence.  Of course, anyone who commits violent or destructive acts may face criminal sanctions from federal, tribal, state, or local authorities.  The Departments of Justice and the Interior will continue to deploy resources to North Dakota to help state, local, and tribal authorities, and the communities they serve, better communicate, defuse tensions, support peaceful protest, and maintain public safety.

“In recent days, we have seen thousands of demonstrators come together peacefully, with support from scores of sovereign tribal governments, to exercise their First Amendment rights and to voice heartfelt concerns about the environment and historic, sacred sites.  It is now incumbent on all of us to develop a path forward that serves the broadest public interest.”

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks to all who have signed petitions, called their representatives in Congress and written to the White House to shame President Obama for his unconscionable response to the Malaysian reporter who asked about his viewpoint on this crisis. Haven't done that yet?? Please DO SO IMMEDIATELY. Keep the pressure on.
The First Nations people of the U.S, have been ravaged, silenced, abused and invisible for long enough.

Here I Stand!

Janie Ross-Johnson

"If the livelihood of the planet and humanity depended on who I was and what I did,

who would I be, and what would I do?" ~Buckminster Fuller ~

Sandy Turner said...

This is seemingly positive news. I am curious how the Standing Rock tribal chairman and others there see this statement from the Feds.

americatemychildren said...

Is the Missouri protected by this temporary pause?

margarita said...

HI Brenda.... great reports.... have been public sharing on facebook and emailing your links!... tried to facebook post this article 4 times & did not post... also i guess you know that- http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2016/09/us-departments-will-not-allow-pipeline.html --is different than article title.
Have continued to direct gente to your site. THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT WORK!!

margarita said...

...now posting on fb but title states ...waiting on 9/9 judge decision... also may have disappeared again... am re-sharing... thanks

margarita said...

...now posting on fb but title states ...waiting on 9/9 judge decision... also may have disappeared again... am re-sharing... thanks

Censored News, publisher Brenda Norrell said...

Thanks for your messages. I changed the title after it became clearer about the statement. When the title is changed it appears on blogger changed, but the original usually appears on Facebook in the links. Thanks. Brenda Norrell

Marlitta H. Perkins said...

You article is misleading. Work on the pipeline is halted on Corps of Engineer property, period! Dakota Access is not allowed to proceed at this time until further notice. The company was asked to voluntarily suspend work on the remaining stretch of pipeline which is on private property over which the Corps has no jurisdiction!

Anonymous said...

Politicians use tricky words and phrases. Is it wrong to poison people or not? Is it wrong to poison our water supply or not?
Is it ok to poison some people in order to make money or make some people rich or not? Is developing Green energy going to poison us or not ?