Dissention in the Ranks at Standing Rock

In the wake of arrests following the construction and burning of roadblocks near Cannon Ball, it’s safe to say that protests have worn out their welcome in North Dakota.

What’s more surprising is that even on the Standing Rock Reservation, protesters have also worn out their welcome.

In a CNN report, Robert Fool Bear Sr., 54, district chairman of Cannon Ball says he “has had it with the protesters.’ He says that more than two years ago, when members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe could have attended hearings to make their concerns known, they didn’t care. Now, suddenly, the crowds are out of control, and he fears it’s just a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt. ‘Go down to the camps,’ he says, ‘and you won’t see many Standing Rock Sioux.’”

In order to protect private property surrounding the protest camps, checkpoints have been established to control the unruly mob that continues to destroy property. But these checkpoints have also had a negative impact on the communities not participating in the protests, who are now forced to re-route many miles just to avoid the scene.

According to Fool Bear, “The situation has dissolved to madness,” he says, and he wishes Dave Archambault II, the Standing Rock Sioux chairman, would speak up. “If he had any balls, he’d tell [the protesters] to go home.”

Governors Urge Army Corps to Issues Dakota Access Easement

Governors Urge Army Corps to Issues Dakota Access Easement

 

Earlier this week, the governors of Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to adhere to the regulatory process and issue the final easement necessary to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline.

In the Oct. 25 letter, the three governors highlighted that more than 96 percent of the 1,172 mile infrastructure project has already been thoroughly vetted and approved by state utility regulators. Furthermore, the governors noted that Dakota Access has satisfied all of the established federal requirements needed to move forward.

“As governors of three states which the Dakota Access Pipeline route crosses – Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota we write to you today to ask the United States Army Corps of Engineers to adhere to the process which was in place when this project began as you make the decision to issue the final federal easement required for the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross the Missouri River in North Dakota,” the governors wrote

They went on to caution that further delays will likely result in negative impacts to their states and the region. “Construction delays will negatively impact landowners and farmers who will risk having multiple growing seasons impacted by construction activities,” they wrote. It is in the best interest of all parties to mitigate any further negative impacts.”

The letter—signed by Govs. Terry E. Branstad of Iowa, Jack Dalrymple of North Dakota, and Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota—is the latest of in a series of recent high-profile calls for the Army Corps and the Obama administration to allow this critical infrastructure project to be completed.

Dakota Access Pipeline Making A Difference In Iowa

A few years ago an independent study found that construction of the pipeline in Iowa would amount to $628 million in direct economic benefits while also generating millions in added sales and property taxes. These numbers seemed impressive on paper, but today, the tangible impact they are having is nothing short of extraordinary.

In fact, a recent article published by the Sioux City Journal highlighted just how the $3.8 billion project is making a difference in communities across Northwest Iowa. For many, the impact of the project was felt not long after construction began with workers and their families delivering local businesses an entirely new customer base.

“It’s always hard to gauge the direct economic impact, but you can see those people around,” said Curt Strouth of the Sheldon, Iowa, Chamber and Development Corp. “We definitely noticed the workforce that came through. It’s been a definite influx.”

Similarly, Lyon County Development director Steve Simmons says the influx of pipeline workers has benefited small businesses in the county. “They did see a nice bump in business during the construction process,” Simons said.

In Buena Vista County, Gary Lalone, executive director of Storm Lake United, echoed both Simmons and Strouth. “I know our campground is full. I know a lot of those people, when they come off of work, are in our restaurants and bars,” he said.

This is not the first story we’ve read about the positive contribution the Dakota Access Pipeline is making in communities across the Midwest, but it is a good reminder that, despite the constant flow of political rhetoric, this project is quietly helping others succeed.

MAIN Coalition Spokesman Speaks at University Forum on Dakota Access

MAIN Coalition spokesman Craig Stevens participated in a panel discussion on the Dakota Access Pipeline held Monday night at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

The forum, co-sponsored SMU’s William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies and the Maguire Energy Institute, featured a six-person panel representing a range of backgrounds, including Stevens and Dr. Tayeb Benchaita, a Houston-based engineering consultant.

While some participants sought to drive an emotion filled dialogue, Stevens and Benchaita focused on the underlying facts of the case.

“Pipelines are the safest form of transportation,” said Dr. Benchaita. “It’s cheap. It’s affordable.”

Furthermore, the duo highlighted that pipelines are much safer than trains and trucks and that Dakota Access strengthens national energy interests, while providing thousands of jobs and millions in local economic stimulus.

Native Americans Condemn the Dakota Pipeline, the Law Doesn’t

To hear environmental activists tell it, the Dakota Access Pipeline Project has run roughshod over Native American rights, heritage — and objections. But to hear the federal judge presiding over the case tell it, the company building the pipeline and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been both diligent and respectful in their efforts to address Native American concerns. I’m with the judge on this one.

Questions Arise Over Standing Rock Protesters’ Use of Funds

In North Dakota, winter is coming. This has been a reason to push for more funding for the 700-some protesters remaining at the Standing Rock Reservation near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The group, which first gathered in April to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline, is increasing its calls for aid as the weather gets colder. The calls for supplies come even after the group has received millions of dollars of donations online, as well as donated supplies from a variety of groups.

Workers Lose If Pipeline Protesters Get Their Way

According to your article, the anti pipeline protesters camping out in North Dakota seem to be having a great time [What’s next for anti-pipeline camp? Oct. 16] Free food and shelter in a Woodstock-like environment, with their parents probably paying their way. We need to get some bands up there like the Grateful Dead, along with a large cargo container of free condoms. There must be a taxpayer-funded program for that. Continue reading…

Dakota Access Pipeline Construction Making Economic Impact

The walk to get to dinner or a movie in downtown Cherokee has gotten a little longer since late spring, when parking became harder to come by. With a number of construction workers involved with the Dakota Access oil pipeline and other major projects taking up temporary residence here, businesses in Cherokee and other Northwest Iowa cities and towns are seeing a healthy revenue boost. “In the evenings, there are very few parking spots available,” Cherokee city manager Sam Kooiker said. “There are a lot of people downtown in the evenings. It’s been exciting.”

Continue reading…

Business and Labor Groups Sign Letter to Obama Administration Urging DAPL Completion

A coalition of 22 groups representing business associations and workers including the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce among others, authored a letter to the Obama Administration that expresses deep concerns over the actions taking place to slow construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The letter received coverage in the Washington DC-based political publications The Hill, Politico, Washington Examiner and E&E.

The letter states details the extensive process and permits received by Dakota Access, and criticizes the Administration for upending the regulatory process and ignoring a federal judge’s opinion. According to the letter, these actions by the Obama Administration will do harm far beyond delaying the construction of the project;

“When your agencies upend or modify the results of a full and fair regulatory process for an infrastructure project, these actions do not merely impact a single company. The industries that manufacture and develop the infrastructure, the labor that builds it, and the American consumers that depend on it all suffer.”

The groups urge the Administration to follow the letter of the law, which was met by the company throughout the review and permitting process, and allow construction to continue so that the infrastructure needs of a 21st century economy can move forward.