Tribe challenging pipeline has some advantages in courtroom

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Tribe challenging pipeline has some advantages in courtroom

Josh Funk, Associated Press

Updated 5:03 pm, Thursday, September 8, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The American Indians challenging an oil pipeline that would cross four states have some legal advantages in a courtroom, particularly their tribe's status as a sovereign nation with long ties to the land in question.

But stopping a major project like the Dakota Access pipeline after construction has begun is difficult, and even if the Standing Rock Sioux win in federal court, the end result might simply be an altered route.

A judge is expected to rule Friday on whether to block construction of the pipeline that is supposed to pass close to the tribal reservation near the North Dakota-South Dakota border. No matter what the court decides, opponents seem prepared for a long fight, following many of the same tactics used to defeat the Canada-to-Nebraska segment of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The tribe's lawsuit alleges that the Dakota Access pipeline violates several federal laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act, and threatens the region's water supply and sacred ancient sites outside of the 2.3-million acre reservation.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Tribe-challenging-pipeline-has-some-advantages-in-9211013.php

[mopinko]

1. we should give their sacred sites back to them.

case closed.

[cstanleytech]

2. Dont hold your breath on that happening as most governments in the world arent willing

to return land to a people that it conquered.
Sure you get some rare cases of it happening but I just dont see that happening inside the Continental US.

[Judi Lynn]

3. North Dakota's chief archaeologist to inspect pipeline site

North Dakota's chief archaeologist to inspect pipeline site

Sep. 8, 2016 10:49 AM EDT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's chief archaeologist plans to inspect an area along the route of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline where Standing Rock Sioux officials say they've identified cultural artifacts.

Paul Picha (PEE'-kuh) told The Associated Press that the trip likely won't happen until next week. If any artifacts are found, pipeline work would cease.

Picha says state officials earlier surveyed the route, but not the disputed site, which is on private land west of State Highway 1806.

Last weekend, tribal officials said crews bulldozed several sites of "significant cultural and historic value" in that area, which Texas-based pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners denies.

More:
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/716b1ae713354278820a4ae58615ce79/north-dakotas-chief-archaeologist-inspect-pipeline-site