Victory For Sioux: Army Says Dakota Pipeline Must Find Alternative Route

In a major victory for cultural and religious rights of the  Sioux Tribe, the U.S. Army announced yesterday that will not approve an easement that would allow the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota. The pipeline, whose original route would run only a half mile from the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, impinged on sacred tribal burial and historical sites and also created oil spill concerns by the tribe.  Alternative sites will now need to be explored. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports on the Army's decision as well as on the background of the dispute. In September, a federal district court had refused to enjoin construction of the pipeline. (See prior posting.)