The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday they intend to grant an easement to Dakota Access to construct a pipeline under Corps-managed federal land at Lake Oahe.

The agency has also announced that it will not be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement.

The easement is expected to be issued Wednesday.

Following the announcement, Sen, John Hoeven made the following statement:

“Today, the Army Corps of Engineers announced that it has finished its review of the Dakota Access Pipeline project and intends to grant an easement no earlier than tomorrow afternoon. The easement will enable the company to complete the project. New energy infrastructure, like the Dakota Access Pipeline, is being built with the latest safeguards and technology. “We will continue to work with the Corps, Department of Interior, Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to secure additional federal law enforcement resources to support state and local law enforcement. Also, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council has asked the protesters to leave the campsite on Corps land. Recently, we got additional Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers to assist at the protest site. We also secured Customs and Border Protection agents to assist state and local law enforcement and we are currently working to get more federal law enforcement assistance. “Our nation needs new energy infrastructure, which means we must have a process to build safe, efficient and environmentally sound projects like pipelines and power lines. Going forward, we need to review the permitting process to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard and that a fair, certain, and legal process has been followed. The discord we have seen regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline doesn’t serve the tribe, the company, the Corps or any of the other stakeholders involved. Now, we all need to work together to ensure people and communities rebuild trust and peacefully resolve their differences.”

Rep. Kevin Cramer issued the following statement following the announcement:

“After months of unnecessary delay, the Missouri River easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline is being issued by the Army Corps of Engineers,” Cramer said. “North Dakota looks forward to the safe completion and operation of this modern energy infrastructure to improve America’s economy and security. Once again, I am grateful for President Trump’s commitment to taking swift action on this and other issues of concern to the American people.”

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp also released a statement after speaking with Acting Secretary of the Army Robert Speer about the easement:

“Today I spoke with Army Corps leaders who informed me of their intention to approve the easement to allow construction of the Dakota Access pipeline to be completed,” said Heitkamp. “For the North Dakota families, workers and tribes who have felt the impact of the Dakota Access pipeline conflict every day – today’s announcement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers brings this issue one step closer to final resolution – and delivers the certainty and clarity I’ve been demanding. As has remained my focus throughout this process, it’s critical that North Dakotans are able to feel safe in their neighborhoods, in their jobs, and in their daily lives. That’s why I’ve been pressing all sides for months, including President Trump, to provide the law enforcement resources and personnel needed to support our communities whose resources have been stretched thin. And it’s why I support Governor Burgum, Chairman Archambault, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council in their call on protesters to leave the camp north of the Cannonball River to protect both the protesters and law enforcement from the dangerous threat of floods that could happen in floodplain where the camp sits as early as March. “Throughout continued delays and stalling tactics during the last Administration, I’ve been pushing for the certainty our communities need, and as the Army Corps delivers the finality they deserve today, it’s crucial that all parties double down in their resolve to listening and working together. Protesters have the right to lawfully and peacefully demonstrate – and law enforcement, residents and tribal members deserve to have their safety guaranteed. Going forward, I’ll continue to monitor the federal government’s work to renew guidance addressing required tribal consultation for future infrastructure projects on or near tribal land, and I’ll keep working with the federal delegation and the governor in a bipartisan effort to push for more federal support for law enforcement. When North Dakota taxpayers have spent more than $22 million on law enforcement resources, and first responders have sacrificed weeks and holidays away from their families to protect the safety of all North Dakotans during the protests, it’s critical that the Administration does its part – and I’ll keep fighting to make sure it provides those needed funds.”

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum described the Corps' announcement as a 'key step' toward the completion of the project: