For the moment, the Dakota Access Pipeline has legally been delayed, but there are two important things to remember, in my opinion. First, Energy Transfer Partners and its investors have no intention of complying with the Army Corps of Engineers. Second, there are hundreds of pipelines and other extractive industries crisscrossing this country, all of which threaten indigenous lands, clean water, and air quality.



The Camp of the Sacred Stones has issued a statement (bold is my emphasis)

While this is clearly a victory, the battle is not “over.” A response statement from Energy Transfer Partners and Sunoco Logistics said the corporations remain “fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes that in any way.”

The Trump administration could easily approve the project early next year. The Obama Administration has never guaranteed the water protectors or the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe that they would use force to stop Dakota Access from drilling under the river without a permit, if necessary. The Army Corps has not yet agreed to pursue a full EIS for the entire length of the pipeline.

Organizers continue to call for every day of December to be “a day of #NoDAPL action” against the investors of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Over 100 solidarity actions worldwide have already been registered for the coming weeks as the encampment continues to stand their ground.

LaDonna Allard, Director of the Sacred Stone Camp, says, “I was asked, “When do you consider this pipeline issue to be over?” I said, when every pipe is out of the ground and the earth is repaired across the United States. I am not negotiating, I am not backing down. I must stand for our grandchildren and for the water.”

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?

Meanwhile, veterans and others continue to pour into Oceti Sakowin (29 mins).

Here's another video walk around the camp with one of the water protectors who has been there a long time (20 mins). It really gives you a sense of the mass of people who are there. One of the young men interviewed says (I paraphrase), "We're not leaving until the black snake is pulled from the ground."

Finally, for now, here's a firsthand report of the nighttime operation that retrieved the canoes stolen by the mercenaries.

U.S. Army veteran Joseph Hock told: "Morton County Sheriff’s Department and the Dakota Access Pipeline people came in the middle of the night and stole canoes which belong to the Sioux. They took the canoes to their side to antagonize and send a message. They broke them up and left them on the other side of the Cannonball River surrounded by concertina wire. The other night, a bunch of veterans crossed halfway and pulled them back with grappling hooks."

"Through non-violent actions, we need to show respect to the Sioux people. This is not the first time this has happened to them, they have been disrespected for generations and I hope this will be an end to it. We are not going to leave. We are standing strong with them until this is done."

Link to the links: How to Help Standing Rock: Links for Donations, Phone Numbers to Call, Talking Points