American Rivers Supports Standing Rock

National river conservation organization states strong support for Sioux Tribe’s right to clean water and protection of sacred sites

Press Release // Washington, November 3, 2016 – American Rivers called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement on the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline across the Missouri River and urged Energy Transfer Partners to halt construction until the EIS is completed.

President of American Rivers president Bob Irvin states, “American Rivers supports the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s efforts to secure clean water for its people now and in the future. The tribe is a sovereign nation and has every right to protect the health and safety of its members as well as the lands and waters vital to its culture and heritage. If constructed as planned beneath the riverbed near the reservation, the Dakota Access Pipeline could pose a threat to the river and the tribe’s clean water supplies.”

Irvin adds, “It is concerning that the pipeline was originally slated to run through an area near Bismarck but was relocated near the tribe’s reservation when residents of the state capital raised concerns about the safety of their drinking water. The tribe’s concerns about drinking water safety should be equally considered. Major oil spills in rivers including the Yellowstone and Kalamazoo in recent years raise serious questions about pipeline safety. We urge the Obama Administration to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement of the Dakota Access Pipeline, with meaningful consultation with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.  And we call on Energy Transfer Partners to halt construction until the review is completed and the potential impacts of the project are fully considered.”

“Water is life, for the Standing Rock Sioux and for every American. Clean water is essential to our health and well-being,” Irvin concludes.

Sign American Rivers’ public petition here. Stay tuned for more on this issue in the next issue of Adventure Sports Journal.

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American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 250,000 members, supporters and volunteers.