Yesterday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will not approve an easement necessary to permit the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline under Lake Oahe in North Dakota in order to conduct further studies. The following is a statement from Stephanie K. Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation:

“Sacred sites such as the tribal lands of the Standing Rock Sioux are a critical part of our nation’s cultural heritage, and they must be protected according to the longstanding provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act. We commend the Army Corps of Engineers for taking this important step and for committing to a process of working with the tribal community. Going forward, any additional construction of the proposed Dakota pipeline should work to avoid and minimize harm to these irreplaceable sacred sites and burial grounds.”

To read the National Trust’s October 4, 2016, letter to the Army Corps of Engineers about the need to ensure that permitting for the Dakota Access Pipeline complies with the National Historic Preservation Act, click here.