The company, builders of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), said on Tuesday November 8 that it planned to begin drilling in two weeks—even though at the moment it does not have the easements necessary for it to tunnel under the river legally.
Building without approved easements is a violation of federal law, the Army Corps emphasized.
"Any work must adhere to federal regulations,” the Army Corps said. “Failure to comply can bring legal action. Construction without proper permits or easements in place can result in fines and legal action."
The tribe said nothing will do but a complete environmental impact statement at the least, and a rerouting of the pipeline.
“The only possible path forward for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is a decision that denies the easement or subjects it to a full environmental impact statement and tribal consultation,” Archambault said. “The only urgency here arises from DAPL’s reckless decision to build to either side of the Missouri River without a permit. It even continued construction when the U.S. Government asked it to voluntarily stop.”
Demonstrations to protect burial sites and the tribe's water continue around the construction site, and the Standing Rock Sioux tribal leadership is in talks with the Army Corps to de-escalate the situation and move the camp of water protectors, both sides said.