Foundation News
Obama Administration Orders Environmental Review of Dakota Access Pipeline Easement
On December 4, the Obama administration announced it will not grant the final easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Army Corps of Engineers will conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to examine the impacts of the planned pipeline and explore alternate routes for the project. The Corps will continue to speak with the Standing Rock Sioux and those who would be affected by construction.
The Sierra Club, hundreds of Tribes, and millions of Americans across the country have stood in unity with the Standing Rock Sioux since September when the Washington DC District Court ruled against their request to halt construction of the 1,168 mile long oil pipeline until it receives the same thorough environmental review process as the now rejected Keystone XL. The pipeline would carry 450,000 barrels of fracked oil every day through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois traversing communities, farms, sensitive natural areas, and tribal ancestral lands, as well as crossing under the Missouri River just upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux drinking water supply.
We will continue supporting, standing with, and working alongside the Standing Rock Sioux to ensure that the President and the incoming administration act in the interest of the Tribe and our climate by rejecting the pipeline once and for all.