North Dakota Public Service Commission chairwomen Julie Fedorchak weighed in on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s legal challenge to the Dakota Access Pipeline during an interview with Bismarck NBC affiliate KFYR-TV.
Fedorchak, who oversaw the state’s 13 month review of the project, said she feels the U.S. Court of Appeals decision to deny an injunction further validates the permitting process.
On the protests, Fedorchak said that many of the concerns expressed by Standing Rock have been addressed and urged activists to pack up their camp on the banks of Lake Oahe.
“These protests have run their course, they made their point. A lot of the issues that they’re concerned about have been addressed and dealt with. And that, that these protesters should pull up their camp and move on and let law enforcement and the school children in that area and the businesses in that area and everyone in that area go back to life as normal,” said Fedorchak.
Fedorchak’s comments echo those of many others in recent weeks, including U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg who noted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers extensive efforts to accommodate tribal concerns.