– Judge denies temporary stop, pipeline construction

NEAR THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX RESERVATION, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge has denied the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s request to temporarily stop construction on the four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline near their reservation in North Dakota.

Tribal officials challenged the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to grant permits for Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners’ $3.8 billion pipeline that is intended to carry oil from North Dakota to Illinois.

Friday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg comes amid growing protests over the pipeline, which would cross the Missouri River less than a mile upstream of the reservation.

The tribe argues the pipeline could impact drinking water and that construction has already disturbed ancient sacred sites.

A lawyer for the tribe says the ruling will be appealed.

The Standing Rock Sioux’s tribal historian says a federal judge’s decision to deny a request for a temporary stop of construction on the Dakota Access pipeline gives her “a great amount of grief.”

LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, who also has been a part of the protests near the North Dakota reservation, says that the tribe will “continue to stand” and “look for legal recourses,” as well as continue to protest peacefully.

Attorney Jan Hasselman with environmental group Earthjustice, who filed the lawsuit in July on behalf of the tribe, said in the days before the ruling that it’ll be challenged.

Hasselman said that they’ll “hope that construction isn’t completed while that (appeal) process is going forward.”

Officials with pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners didn’t return The Associated Press’ phone calls or emails seeking comment.

Allard also noted that her tribe is not the only that’s filed a lawsuit. The Yankton Sioux tribe in South Dakota did the same Thursday.

Washington (CSi) Following Friday’s ruling in Standing Rock Sioux Tribe v. U.S. Army Corps, the Army announced that it will not authorize construction on Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe until it determines whether it will need to reconsider any of its previous decisions regarding the Lake Oahe site. Federal agencies are asking the Dakota Access pipeline company to voluntarily pause all construction activity within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahe.

Federal agencies are inviting all tribes to formal, government-to-government consultations in the fall to address how the federal government can better ensure meaningful tribal input into infrastructure-related reviews and decisions and the protection of tribal lands, resources, and treaty rights. The agencies also will explore with tribes whether new legislation should be proposed to Congress to alter the current statutory framework to promote those goals.