BREAKING: Feds will deny easement for Dakota Access Pipeline

[pinboy3niner]

Tribal officials will hold news conference soon.

[spanone]

1. Double K and Double R...

it's true....thank you President Obama

[annabanana]

2. Wonderful news! . .n/t

[lonestarnot]

3. Yes!

[Farmgirl1961]

4. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lamp_shade]

5. Where/how did you hear about this?

[nolabear]

10. MSNBC just now. Army Corp made an announcement.

[SticksnStones]

6. Does this mean it's over?

Can they go home with assurances they've succeeded?

[still_one]

9. I hope so, and I hope it cannot be reversed

[pinboy3niner]

18. The pipeline will be rerouted to a location away from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation

It doesn't necessarily mean there will be no issues at the new site, but it will not run under the Missouri River.

[SticksnStones]

20. So victory, yes!?

[pinboy3niner]

22. ABSOLUTELY!

[SticksnStones]

24. I've been so worried about the cold...and the elders...

They did it!

Sure feels good to discuss a win, eh ~

[wordpix]

72. except for the next neighborhood the pipeline goes through

[GregD]

79. Correct - only victory for now, but the fight continues - look at this article @ CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/04/politics/dakota-access-pipeline/index.html

Darcy said that the consideration of alternative routes would be best accomplished through an environmental impact statement with full public input and analysis.

----------------------------

Presumably what happens now is that work must be fully stopped in terms of the crossing. A complete EIR process will happen.

Public scrutiny will have to take place and the EIR will be challenged, delaying this months or likely years.

----------------------------

I live in Mount Shasta, California. DAPL is getting all the media, but we have a water fight here as well. http://cawater.net/

This meeting took place in July http://www.mtshastanews.com/article/20160728/NEWS/160729728

We fought for years to get an EIR, and succeeded, but now the EIR process plays out.

[WhiteTara]

83. There is another one here in Arkansas at the Buffalo River

http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2016/05/03/hog-feeding-operations-peril-to-buffalo-river

This fight has been going on since 2013. The whole story up until this week is at this link.

[Bucky]

108. And one more out in Big Bend in Texas which, surprise!, goes through another tribe's land

Oil is everywhere, just like greed, and people just keep getting in the way with all those pesky property rights of theirs.

[redwitch]

38. YES!!!!

Hooray for the water protectors, the peaceful warriors! All the phone calls, donations, prayers have made a difference. And it also means people don't have to be in harms way and extreme cold for who knows how long.

I have to think that the arrival of thousands of veterans has made the difference. Blessings to all!

[Donkees]

40. I've read, "halt work" in order to do an environmental impact study

"The Army Corps of Engineers has reportedly told the Oceti tribe that it will halt work on the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline in order to conduct an environmental impact study, according to reports. "

[pinboy3niner]

51. To study alternate routes

In a statement, Standing Rock tribal chairman Dave Archambault II said: 'Today, the US Army Corps of engineers announced that it will not be granting the easement to cross Lake Oahe for the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline.

'Instead, the Corps will be undertaking an environmental impact statement to look at possible alternate routes.

'We wholeheartedly support the decision of the administration and 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 do the right thing.

'The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will forever be grateful to the Obama administration for this historic decision.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3999630/Dakota-protesters-WIN-bid-stop-pipeline-built-Standing-Rock.html

[AtheistCrusader]

111. There is every possibility they will wait two months, say 'no alternatives' and re-apply.

But for now, this is a win.

[nolabear]

7. This is fantastic! The people stood together. They didn't back down.

Look to them for inspiration. We are not helpless!

[saltpoint]

8. The people were clear from the start

that they did not want this thing built. The authorities had only to listen to them.

This sure feels like good news after many many weeks of trepidation.

[nolabear]

11. The whole country should be lifted up by this!

[saltpoint]

13. Agree. This time, it look as if

the good guys won.

[Travis_0004]

89. It will still be built, just somewhere else.

[TNNurse]

102. As happy as I am about this.....

I have to wonder, where will it go? What other area will be affected?

[Travis_0004]

105. We have 2.4 million miles of pipeline

A few more miles likely wont affect anybody.

[Warpy]

12. Gawd, I hope so

Those fuckers have gone around people afraid for their property values, they can go around sensitive water supplies.

We were told 20 years ago that the next big wars will be over water. This might be the first battle, at least in the US.

[sheshe2]

14. Oh, yes please.

I really needed some good news today. I really did.

[TeddyBear 1]

15. as much....

as I am happy about this.. I fear it will go on once Trump gets into office..

[mercuryblues]

90. my thoughts

exactly.

When trump comes in, he will simply change the order. can't let lives get in the way of profit.

Welcome to DU.

[NightWatcher]

16. Hoka (fuckin) hey!!!

[bravenak]

17. YAY!!

[Glimmer of Hope]

19. Wooo Hoo! So happy for everyone who made this happen.

[cilla4progress]

21. Delicate negotiations I presume

Why we didn't hear from Obama

Imagine Trump

No sorry...don't

[Hekate]

47. That's been my assumption. Hope to gods this pans out.

[SticksnStones]

23. Think the vets showing up changed the imperative?

And moved the conversation?

What do you think, DU?

[pbmus]

26. True..

[SticksnStones]

27. Certainly the timing can lead one to make an inference. nt

[pbmus]

32. Numbers up...

[Wellstone ruled]

31. Seems to be the Game Changer.

Public opinion via Face Book and Twitter is over whelming in favor of the En-campers. The local Authorities being mega Conservative,were not going to screw up their image by moving on Vets.

[SticksnStones]

57. What a solid, smart and gutsy use of the power of their collective image.

Bravo, I say ~

[Wellstone ruled]

61. Watch for some really really

great response for the Con Man to come shortly.

[SticksnStones]

63. Vilifying the Vets or claiming credit for the haulting?

Wonder which way the wind blows in his tower tonight?

[nini]

68. Not really... this was being discussed at least 3 weeks ago from earlier reports.

That doesn't mean it's not a good thing the vets showed up though.

[SticksnStones]

70. Ok, but the optics sure feel heart-warming

Stronger Together, y'know !

[uponit7771]

76. +1

[harun]

104. +1, absolutely. That was potential press that scared them to action.

[SticksnStones]

106. It sure looks like it unfolded that way.

[FailureToCommunicate]

25. An encouraging bit of news for a change!

Thanks!

[mahina]

28. I sure hope that is so! Looking everywhere for a link.

Mahalo pinboy3niner!

[Nictuku]

30. I can't find one either

[pinboy3niner]

34. LINK:

Posted in GD by bigtree...

DAPL: Sec of Army Announced the Easement has been DENIED
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028331380

[mahina]

82. !

Thank you!

[bluedigger]

29. With a big assist from thousands of Vets that showed up this weekend.

[superpatriotman]

33. Still not finding anywhere

Link please

[pinboy3niner]

35. See above

[billymike]

36. link

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2016/12/04/army-corps-of-engineers-to-halt-work-on-dakota-access-pipeline.html

[superpatriotman]

45. Thank you

For a real link

[NRaleighLiberal]

56. and NY times now

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/04/us/federal-officials-to-explore-different-route-for-dakota-pipeline.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

[branford]

37. Don't count the chickens just yet.

There will almost certainly be a viable legal challenge, particularly since the route was previously approved.

More importantly, virtually any executive action undertaken by President Obama can be reversed by the Trump administration come the end of January.

If true, this is more than likely political grandstanding by the outgoing Obama administration to avoid the bad optics of removing the protesters than anything close to the end of this dispute. If Obama thought ending this mess was as simple as denying the easement, it would have happened weeks, if not months, ago.

[dumbcat]

52. Downer!

But probably correct.

[Snarkoleptic]

92. I read that Trump has money invested in the pipeline, so the optics (for a normal POTUS)

would be really bad for him to push the pipeline forward.
This looks like a bit of that famed Obama 3D chess.

[branford]

93. Trump doesn't care, his supporters care even less,

and despite the strong feelings of many here, this story is barely a blip that will quickly be forgotten by most Americans by the inauguration and television January mid-season premieres.

Obama is trying to kick the can down the road to avoid the optics of having to remove the protesters during the holidays and in an effort to blame Trump when either he or the courts issue the necessary permits or easements. If Obama really believed the denial would make a difference, he would have denied it weeks ago and fought it in court while he still had time left in his administration and regardless of the outcome of the election.

[mcar]

39. Such good news!

[csziggy]

41. LINK: Dakota Access Pipeline Denied Near Sioux Reservation

The secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers has told Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Archambault that the current route for the Dakota Access pipeline will be denied.

The proposed route led to a protest encampment by the Standing Rock Sioux and other activists.

The 1,172-mile pipeline is nearly complete except for a small section beneath a Missouri River reservoir near the encampment, which is about 50 miles south of Bismarck.

Standing Rock tribal members believe the land in which the encampment is on is owned by the Sioux through a more than century-old treaty with the U.S. government.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/Dakota-Access-Pipeline-Denied-near-sioux-reservation-404636436.html

No more at link.

[gademocrat7]

42. K&R!!!!!!!!!!

[randr]

43. We need to give thanks and remember

The pipe, its potential contents, and the people who would profit from the destruction of our planet are the real problem.
My greatest hope is that our native brothers and sisters have awoken a spirit within us all.
I see that spirit in the hearts of our Veterans who have joined with the Tribal Peoples most recently.
This is truly a victory for us and needs to be seen as the first of many many more.

[lillypaddle]

44. About damn time!

Better late than never, I guess.

[babylonsister]

46. Here's a link:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2016/12/04/army-corps-of-engineers-to-halt-work-on-dakota-access-pipeline.html?via=desktop&source=copyurl

[barbtries]

48. all i could hear when i learned this great news

[MichMan]

49. Why was it approved in the first place and how much compensation would they receive?

Who approved the permits for the construction in the first place and why aren't they held accountable by anyone?

Even if you disagree with it being allowed in the first place, what should happen to the pipeline company that went through with the construction based on it being approved? Should they be compensated for all the $$$ they spent on it so far ?

[dumbcat]

53. Compensation? None, I would think

Building the pipeline was a risk. That's what private companies do, take business risks in anticipation of profits. This time they lost. Too bad for them.

[rdking647]

54. more the billions in compensation

the permits were already granted before being revoked.

plus when trump takes over the ban will be repealed.

thats just a simple fact.

[branford]

55. It's not that simple.

The company complied with all laws, and the route was approved by the requisite government authorities. They justifiably relied upon the government assent. If the government then revoked such consent arbitrarily, i.e., it became a political problem, the company will have a viable claim to either reverse the decision and get the easement or permits and/or be awarded significant damages.

As I indicated in my earlier comment (#37), I believe the Obama administration is engaging in a little political grandstanding and many here are falling for his cynical action, and if and when the Trump administration either grants the necessary permits or refuses to defend the action in court, Obama will then try to blame Trump despite the dispute arising entirely under Obama's watch.

[Abq_Sarah]

101. I'm afraid you might be right

The company spent years holding meetings and getting approval. They were told the final easement would be granted based on environmental assessments. Now the owners are stuck with a nearly finished 3.8 billion dollar pipeline that probably can't be rerouted because the Corps of Engineers already decided this was the safest route. The pipeline will be given the go ahead either by the courts or the new administration and the only winners will be the lawyers.

[UCmeNdc]

50. The Veterans made the difference.

A great big Thank you to all of the veterans out there. Their courage and principled stand with the native people helped push back the opposition. It is pretty hard to call veterans thugs.

[leftyladyfrommo]

64. 6000 of them showed up!

Absolutely amazing.

That's wonderful.

[Vinca]

58. Good . . . for now. Can't wait for the Orange One's tweet.

[panader0]

59. K and R

[liberal N proud]

60. This stops for now

The Army Corps of Engineers announced Sunday it would instead conduct an environmental impact review of the 1,170-mile pipeline project to determine if there are other ways to route the pipeline to avoid a crossing on the Missouri River.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/army-corps-will-halt-dakota-access-pipeline-work/ar-AAl8x1g?li=AA4ZnC&ocid=spartanntp

[DonCoquixote]

62. battles can still be won

no matter how much Trump brays. remember this for the next 4 years.

[FarCenter]

86. You can't get from Northwest North Dakota to Iowa without crossing the Missouri River - see a map

[Solly Mack]

65. Do you know you're my favorite pinboy3niner?

K&R

[montana_hazeleyes]

99. pinboy3niner is my favorite too!

[briv1016]

66. A stay of execution at best.

Donald and whoever he appoints as the Secretary of the Army will overturn this.

He'll also likely sent in federal troops or have his Attorney General look the other way when riot police clear the camps. (With the media blocked out and cellphone jammers in place of course.)

[Puha Ekapi_2]

67. Don't hold your breath

This is only temporary pending an expedited EIR. It's a stay of a few months, but it sure isn't a done deal.

[liberalla]

69. Such good news- I'm so relieved.

I'm certain the Vets had an impact and I'm so grateful to them. This (the pipeline) will be argued further of course, but I think it's a turning point.

[catbyte]

71. So can the Orange Horror overturn this in January?

[wordpix]

75. will try to do anything/everything to make self, family & loyalty richer

We must stop that at every turn

[ailsagirl]

85. That's what I was wondering...

[wordpix]

73. GO!bama

[napi21]

77. Im really glad the Feds did the right thing, but WHY did they wait so long? They could have done

that months ago and saved everyone a lot of time, expense, and hurt!!

[KewlKat]

80. Holy Effing Crap! GREAT NEWS!

Long time come in, but they did the right thing. Anyone read the fine print?

[turbinetree]

81. This absolutely GREAT NEWS, human beings won

While on the fascist side this is what the fascist republican of ND said:

http://crooksandliars.com/2016/12/army-corp-engineers-halts-dapl

Fascist republican Kevin Cramer

"Today's unfortunate decision sends a very chilling signal to others who want to build infrastructure in this country. Roads, bridges, transmission lines, pipelines, wind farms and water lines will be very difficult, if not impossible, to build when criminal behavior is rewarded this way"

Hey fascist republican Kevin Cramer, FU and the horse you road in on

[cilla4progress]

84. So what does Trump have to say

About this?

[bdamomma]

87. we should learn something

from our native Indian brothers and sisters never give in and NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!

[burrowowl]

88. Wonderful!!!!!

[suffragette]

91. Yes!

K&R

[Scurrilous]

94. K & R

[Runningdawg]

95. DAPL says it will drill without a permit and pay the fines

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.ca/2016/12/live-standing-rock-spirit-resistance.html?m=1
Can anyone verify this? Also, its my understanding this was a decision made by the Army Corp of Engineers and has nothing to do with an order from Obama. They also said they would be conducting an environmental impact study. Nothing to say they can't resend the order, I believe they have done that at least once in the past.
As much as I would like to celebrate IMO the dust needs to settle before anyone leaves that camp.

[harun]

107. Every interview I have seen shows they know not to leave the camp.

[Runningdawg]

110. Thanks for your answer

but by this morning it became clear that the overall reaction is wait and see.

[malthaussen]

96. It's good news, but whose land is the easement on?

The pipeline runs through territory that is Lakota by the 1851 treaty. Since the Lakota are a sovereign nation, we have no business granting easements on their land anyway.

Other parts of the pipeline run on U.S. property, so I would be interested in clarifying what easement has been denied.

-- Mal

[Tarheel_Dem]

97. I won't hold my breath, but I certainly hope the people who were trashing Obama over this....

will apologize.

[Cha]

98. HA! Thanks Obama!

Thank you, pinboy!

[Cha]

100. Big Bad FEDS! Mahalo, pinboy!

[harun]

103. Thanks Obama!

[jabberwock]

109. History

has a way of repeating itself. The forked tongues still speak.