Judge To Hear Arguments On Whether To Stop Dakota Access Pipeline Work

Trash is seen piled in a dumpster at an encampment set up near Cannon Ball, N.D., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, for opponents against the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. Opponents have called for protests arou... Trash is seen piled in a dumpster at an encampment set up near Cannon Ball, N.D., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, for opponents against the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. Opponents have called for protests around the world Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, as the Army prepared to green-light the final stage of the $3.8 billion project's construction. The Army said Tuesday, Feb. 7, that it will allow the four-state pipeline to cross under a Missouri River reservoir in North Dakota, the last big chunk of construction. (AP Photo/James MacPherson) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — A federal judge in Washington, D.C., is hearing arguments on whether to stop work on the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline until a legal battle with American Indian tribes is resolved.

The Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux argue the pipeline threatens drinking water and cultural sites. The tribes also say it threatens their freedom of religion, which depends on pure water.

Developer Energy Transfer Partners last week received final approval from the Army to lay pipe under the Missouri River in North Dakota — the final chunk of construction for the 1,200-mile pipeline to move North Dakota oil to Illinois.

Work is underway. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg is to hear arguments this afternoon on whether it should be stopped while the lawsuit plays out.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Notable Replies

  1. The Dakota Access Pipeline’s route apparently runs through lands prone to landslides. Landslides and underground pipelines don’t mix. A massive pipeline break will occur immediately upon the next landslide in the area, fouling the water and lands of the Sioux.

  2. Trump: Indian Tribes are not US Citizens. They have no rights on this land. They will be deported to where their ancestors came from.

  3. Avatar for hoagie hoagie says:

    45: This is Pocahontas’s fault.

  4. I so hope the judge stops the pipeline. I can’t get enough of Drumpf criticizing “so-called” judges.

  5. That way, when it breaks — and everything breaks eventually — it’ll be easy to fix -s-

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