Megan Wittman, megan.wittman@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, December 6, leaders of the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes and Senator Jeff Merkley will host a press conference in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), calling on the Biden Administration to shut down the pipeline. The pipeline spans from North Dakota to Illinois, passing through the states of South Dakota and Iowa, and tribal nations of the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.
The Dakota Access Pipeline was built without adequate Tribal consultation with the Standing Rock Sioux and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes, trouncing on treaty rights and burdening tribes and nearby communities with enormous risk. 1.1 million barrels of oil per day pass through the pipeline and threaten access to clean drinking water for millions of people.
Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes have been steadfast in their opposition to DAPL. Grassroots leadership led the massive encampment on the Oahe River in 2015 engaging tens of thousands of people around the world.
In 2021, the D.C. Circuit Court affirmed the Army Corps of Engineers violated the law in failing to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for DAPL and that there is no valid pipeline easement. The Army Corps has now released the court mandated EIS. After review it is clear that the Draft EIS has massive inadequacies, it does not properly address spill risks and responses. Tribal leaders continue to call on the Army Corps to share information that they need to protect their water. The Biden Administration should listen to sovereign Tribes and shut down the pipeline.
WHAT: Press conference in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline
WHERE: Senate Swamp, U.S. Capitol
WHEN: Wednesday, December 6, 4 pm EST
WHO:
Speakers include:
- Prayer led by Tim Mentz Sr., Dakota Standing Rock Elder
- U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
- Chairwoman Janet Alkire, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Chairman Ryman LeBeau, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Tim Mentz Sr., Dakota Standing Rock Elder
- Anna Lee Yellowhammer, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Morgan BringsPlenty, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Advocates from Sierra Club, National Resources Defense Council, and the Indigenous Environmental Network will also be in attendance.
The press conference will be livestreamed here.
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.