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Dakota Access files another status update on construction work

Monday, February 27, 2017

Authorities in North Dakota evicted the last remaining residents of Oceti Sakowin, the #NoDAPL encampment that hosted tens of thousands of people. Photo: Rob Wilson [GoFundMe]

The Dakota Access Pipeline remains on track to be completed as early as next week, according to a status update filed in federal court.

Oil could be flowing as soon as March 6, an attorney for the wealthy backers of the controversial project wrote on Monday. But there is no firm date for completion -- the work in North Dakota still might take another month.

"Dakota Access remains on the same schedule as previously reported to the Court, and Dakota Access continues to estimate and target that the pipeline will be complete and ready to flow oil anywhere between the week of March 6, 2017 and April 1, 2017," the filing stated.

According to an update filed last week, construction crews already drilled a "pilot hole" under Lake Oahe. They are now "reaming" the hole, or making it larger in preparation for installing a 30-inch pipe through the Missouri River.

The work comes as the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe seeks to halt construction activities at the site. A hearing takes place at 11am Eastern on Tuesday in federal court in Washington, D.C.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, whose reservation lies less than a half-mile south of the crossing, is supporting the request for a preliminary injunction. Both tribes are also asking a federal judge to set aside the Trump administration's approval of the final portion of the pipeline but it's possible that oil could be flowing before they are fully heard on the matter.

Indian Country #NoDAPL Briefs:
Oglala Sioux Tribe (February 21, 2017)
Pueblo of Pojoaque / Association on American Indian Affairs / University of New Mexico School of Law Natural Resources and Environmental Law Clinic (February 21, 2017)
National Indigenous Women's Resource Center / 13 Tribes / 105 Non-Profit Organizations (February 21, 2017)
National Congress of American Indians / 34 Tribes / 11 Tribal Organizations / 2 Civil Rights Organizations (February 22, 2017)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Termination of the Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in Connection With Dakota Access, LLC's Request for an Easement To Cross Lake Oahe, North Dakota (February 17, 2017)

Prior Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in Connection With Dakota Access, LLC's Request for an Easement To Cross Lake Oahe, North Dakota (January 18, 2017)

Dakota Access Pipeline Approval Documents:
Department of Justice Notice | Department of the Army Approval Memorandum | Notice of Termination of EIS for Dakota Access Pipeline | Easement Letter to Congressional Leadership

White House Documents:
Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (January 24, 2017)
Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline (January 24, 2017)
Executive Order Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals For High Priority Infrastructure Projects (January 24, 2017)
Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of American Pipelines (January 24, 2017)
Presidential Memorandum Streamlining Permitting and Reducing Regulatory Burdens for Domestic Manufacturing (January 24, 2017)
Press Release: President Trump Takes Action to Expedite Priority Energy and Infrastructure Projects (January 24, 2017)