North Dakota Tribe’s Request to Stop Work on Pipeline Denied

North Dakota Tribe’s Request to Stop Work on Pipeline Denied
A line of protesters against the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota head to a unity rally on the west steps of the State Capitol late Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Denver. Several hundred marchers walked from the four directions to the Capitol to take part in the rally against the oil pipeline. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
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NEAR THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX RESERVATION, N.D.—The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s attempt to halt construction of the four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline near their North Dakota reservation, a cause that has drawn thousands to join a protest, was denied Friday by a federal judge.

The tribe had challenged the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to grant permits at more than 200 water crossings for Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners’ $3.8 billion pipeline, saying that the project violates several federal laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act, and will harm water supplies. The tribe also says ancient sacred sites have been disturbed during construction.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington denied the tribe’s request for a temporary injunction in a 58-page opinion. A status conference is scheduled for Sept. 16.

The ruling said that “this Court does not lightly countenance any depredation of lands that hold significance to the Standing Rock Sioux” and that, given the federal government’s history with the tribe, “the Court scrutinizes the permitting process here with particular care. Having done so, the Court must nonetheless conclude that the Tribe has not demonstrated that an injunction is warranted here.”

The Sacred Stones Overflow Camp in Morton County, N.D., on Sept. 5, 2016. (Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune via AP)
The Sacred Stones Overflow Camp in Morton County, N.D., on Sept. 5, 2016. Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune via AP