Federal intervention on oil pipeline project unprecedented

The Native American tribe went on to attempt to show that multiple federal laws were violated in the construction.

The pipeline case is just the latest incident in which American Indian tribes say the US government does not adequately consider their culture or territorial claims when making decisions.

“Our hearts are full, this an historic day for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and for tribes across the nation”, said tribal chairman Dave Archambault II.

While many Americans are passively supporting the Standing Rock Sioux’s fight to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, there are many ways you can actively participate aside from posting on social media. “Our message is heard”. U.S. Judge James Boasberg granted only a partial stop Tuesday after determining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lacked jurisdiction on private land, reported The Associated Press. It ordered the parties to appear for a status conference on September 16.

They promised “meaningful tribal input into infrastructure-related reviews and decisions and the protection of tribal lands, resources, and treaty rights” and “government-to-government consultations” this fall. The company declined comment Friday.

Thousands of people from more than 200 Native American tribes have supported the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s efforts to protect its lands, waters and sacred sites during construction of the pipeline, according to the tribe. It’s owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, so they’re stopping construction just on federal land.

The Standing Rock Sioux are the original inhabitants of what is now North Dakota, and we applaud this administration for recognizing their inalienable right to self-determination of their tribal homelands.

The almost $4 billion project traversing four states from North Dakota to IL would cross underneath the Missouri River if construction continues on its current path. And people are now calling for President Obama and Hillary Clinton to take a stance against the pipeline.

But minutes later the Army Corps of Engineers who issued the permits for the project asked the company responsible for the almost 1,200 mile pipeline to voluntarily halt work near the reservation until the corps could re-evaluate those permits. We admire their strength and their resolve. It’s not just about Standing Rock.

Tribal historian LaDonna Brave Bull Allard said the ruling gave her “a great amount of grief”.

The planned 1,100 mile oil pipeline would run from North Dakota and South Dakota into Iowa and IL.

Earlier today, it seemed as if Energy Transfer Partners had won when a federal court sided with the company and granted it permission to continue the Dakota Access Pipeline, however, soon afterwards, the Obama Administration announced that it would have the construction stop.

“Having done so, the Court must nonetheless conclude that the Tribe has not demonstrated that an injunction is warranted here”, the decision said. She also said the protest will continue.

Hundreds of people who had gathered on the lawn of the capitol in Bismarck to protest the pipeline instead sang, danced and chanted in celebration of the news. The judge issued a temporary restraining order for a portion of the area on Tuesday, effectively halting construction. The 82-year-old says he was not surprised by the ruling, “but it still hurts”.

The decision comes amid clashes between protesters and security officers near the construction site.

“It’s the beginning of a continuing legal battle”, Archambault said Thursday while speaking to pipeline opponents who are camping north of the reservation.