[Dialogue] Resource Extraction Update: Standing Rock: Post "Victory": 10 questions that need to be asked

[Ellie Stock via Dialogue]

Dear Standing Rock Friends,


Time will tell whether Sunday's Army Corps of Engineers announcement was a victory or a postponement of the inevitable to avoid bad PR for this administration, letting the next administration take the blame, if DAPL actually goes through.


In the meantime, Honor the Earth raises 10 questions that need to be asked [see below], and the Water Protectors are staying at Oceti Sakowin, hunkering down for the winter.


In another post, Honor the Earth talks about Beyond DAPL--other pipeline battles that loom on the horizon, specifically Enbridge's proposed Line 3, similar size to Keystone XL, that will bring tar sands oil from Hardisty, Alberta to Superior, Wisconsin, right through the heart of Anishanaabe territory and some of the best lakes and wild rice beds in the world, endangering three of the continent's major watersheds including the Great Lakes, home to one fifth of the world's fresh water.


For those affiliated with the Christian Church, we are in the time of Advent:  a time of preparation, waiting and alertness.  Watch Ye Therefore and Keep your Lamps Trimmed and Burning--ready to respond to and be the presence of the Great Spirit God's protection of Creation.


WATER IS LIFE ~ MNI WICONI ~


Ellie
elliestock at aol.com 





Honor the EarthLike Page
17 hrs · 


Today the US Army Corps announced that it will not grant the last remaining easement needed for Dakota Access to cross the Mni Sose (Missouri River).  Their sta...tement says they intend to "explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing" and that a consideration of alternative routes "would be best accomplished through an Environmental Impact Statement with full public input and analysis."   This is all the information provided.

 This is an enormous victory for our movement to protect the water!  It shows what is possible when we come together and take action.
 

However, many questions remain.  
 Here are the 10 questions we need to be asking in the days and weeks ahead:
 

1.  Will the Army Corps actually conduct an Environmental Impact Statement?  If so, on what portion of the project - just the river crossing, or the whole pipeline?  
 2.  What issues will the EIS take into account? (for example, will it include an analysis of spill risk? how about sacred sites? will it reassess the economic need for the pipeline now that the bakken is busting?)
 3.  Which alternative routes will be considered?   Will a "no-build" option also be considered?
 4.  How long will the EIS take?
 5.  What input will the tribe have? What will the public participation process look like?
 6.  In what way(s) was the original Environmental Assessment prepared by the Army Corps deemed inadequate?
 7.  What was the result of the tribal consultation process exploring possible changes to the regulatory process for pipelines in general? have any changes been proposed?
 8.  How easily will these decisions be reversed by a Trump administration?
 9.  How will these decisions be affected by the outcomes of DAPL's lawsuit against the Army Corps, scheduled to be heard on Friday?
 10.  Is the US government prepared to use force to stop the company from drilling under the river without a permit, if necessary?
#NoDAPL #LoveWaterNotOil
https://www.army.mil/…/army_will_not_grant_easement_for_dak…





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