DALRYMPLE: OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING A SERIOUS MISTAKE

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Jack Dalrymple today issued the following statement in response to the Obama Administration’s announcement today to further delay a final decision on an easement required for the Dakota Access Pipeline:

“The decision today by the Obama Administration to further postpone any action on the easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline is a serious mistake. It does nothing to resolve the issue, and worst of all it prolongs the serious problems faced by North Dakota law enforcement as they try to maintain public safety. The administration’s lack of action also prolongs the dangerous situation of having protesters camping during the winter on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ property.

“The federal courts have already determined that the project developer has met or exceeded all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ requirements to build the pipeline.

“Senator Hoeven, Congressman Cramer and I have repeatedly asked for the easement to be granted and for the pipeline crossing to move forward so that the federal government can bring this to a conclusion. It’s unfortunate that this project has become a political issue rather than one based on engineering science.”