Date: January 31, 2017
Agency: Office of the Governor
Contact: Mike Nowatzki (701) 328-2424
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today issued the following statement on the easement sought for the Dakota Access Pipeline crossing at Lake Oahe.
“Although the Acting Secretary of the Army reiterated President Trump’s call to proceed with the easement process, there still is no formal timeline for approval or issuance of the easement,” Burgum said. “Regardless of the timing of the easement and any likely legal action to follow, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re one day closer to a potential life-threatening spring flood.”
“While we look forward to the safe completion of the pipeline, we will continue to work collaboratively with all parties to vacate and clean up the main protest camp to avoid an ecological disaster and to honor the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s wishes for protesters to leave the area,” Burgum said. “Our top priority remains public safety, including the safety of residents of Morton and Sioux counties who have suffered hardship and disruption because of the protests.”
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