On January 31, two members of the U.S. Congress from North Dakota released statements saying that the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army directed the Army Corpsto notify Congress that it is granting the final easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline.

On January 25, President Trump issued 4 executive actions intended to streamline the approval of the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Keystone XL Pipeline, and other “high priority infrastructure projects” that may come before his administration in the future.  This article summarizes each of the 4 actions and explains their anticipated impact.  

This short article explains what's happening with the Environmental Impact Statement for the Dakota Access pipeline, and how to submit strong public comments on the scope of the EIS.  The "scope" is basically a definition of what the study will include.   The Army Corps has to receive public input on that before it can begin the study.  

As clashes between water protectors and law enforcement continue at Standing Rock, today saw four significant legal developments in the Dakota Access Pipeline campaign.  1) The US Army Corps published an official Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Lake Oahe crossing.  2) US District Court Judge James Boesberg denied Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) attorneys’ request for a Temporary Restraining Order, which sought to block publication of the Army Corps' Notice of Intent for the EIS.  3) The US Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s appeal of the September, 2016 US District Court decision to deny their request for a preliminary injunction.  4) The ND Supreme Court ruled to partially grant a petition allowing non-North Dakota licensed lawyers to more easily represent the more than 600 water protectors facing criminal charges.   Read more for details and links.....

As a unique national Native initiative, Honor the Earth works to raise public awareness and raise direct funds to grassroots Native environmental groups. We are the only Native organization that provides both financial support and organizing support to Native environmental initiatives.

Dear Al: Letter to Enbridge "..we expect you to clean up your old mess... "

This is my annual letter to you, but it’s been a long time coming. For the past two months, I have been asking you to use your influence to stop the violence on Standing Rock, and in North Dakota, but while hundreds of people were arrested and injured, Enbridge, and you, said nothing.  I think this is a very bad decision for you." by Winona LaDuke, Executive Director - Honor the Earth

This 30 minute video from Al Jazeera offers insight into the battle for Native American land rights as protests continue against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.

A must see, and follow: "One woman’s quest to keep crude oil pipelines out of her Ojibwe communities’ sacred wild rice beds." A film and documentary of history by the First Daughter and the Black Snake 

We are a coalition of grassroots Native groups living and working in the Dakota Access resistance camps along the Cannon Ball River in Oceti Sakowin treaty lands: Honor the Earth, Indigenous Environmental Network, Sacred Stone Camp, and the International Indigenous Youth Council.  The following is our coalition statement on the next steps for the #NoDAPL fight and the water protectors at Standing Rock:

Today, the US Army announced that it would not grant Dakota Access LLC the last remaining easement it needs to drill under the Mni Sose (Missouri River) at Lake Oahe and complete construction of the pipeline.  The statement implies that the Army Corps will conduct a limited Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the river crossing and explore possibilities for alternative routes.

The decision comes as thousands of veterans are arriving from across the country to stand with the water protectors and join the frontlines of resistance in the face of extreme and escalating violence at the hands of law enforcement.  

This is an enormous victory for our movement to protect the water.  It shows what is possible when we come together and take action.  We have fought this battle with all of our hearts.  We have been maced, tased, demeaned, beaten, and hit with water cannons in below freezing temperatures.  We have drawn on the strength of our ancestors and refused to back down.  Today our courage and determination were finally rewarded.   

But the battle is not over.  Many questions remain about the Army decision and the path forward....