BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued the following statement after the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), encouraging all North Dakotans to make their voices heard.
“The Dakota Access Pipeline saga has gone on for nearly a decade, almost as long as I have been serving North Dakotans in Congress. I fundamentally disagree with the need for an Environmental Impact Statement especially after the pipeline has been safely operational for several years. Nonetheless, I am grateful this Draft Environmental Impact Statement was finally released. DAPL revolutionized the Bakken and has been foundational to our state’s success. I encourage North Dakotans to participate in the public comment period and provide their input to make their voice heard.”
Background:
During the Obama Administration, on July 25, 2016, the USACE published a final Environmental Assessment and a Mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact for the DAPL crossing of Lake Oahe. Litigation was filed against the USACE on this determination. Upon President Trump taking office, the USACE granted the easement on February 8, 2017, to allow construction to be completed.
The DAPL has and continues to safely deliver crude oil since first becoming operational on June 1, 2017. Nevertheless, several federal court decisions have directed further analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This is the third NEPA analysis covering the roughly 1,000-foot reservoir crossing provided by the USACE in seven years.