Standing Rock appeals dismissal of pipeline lawsuit

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has asked the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to review a federal judge’s March decision to dismiss its latest lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the Dakota Access Pipeline. The tribe argues the pipeline lacks a valid easement to cross under Lake Oahe on the Missouri River and alleges multiple regulatory violations by the Corps, according to reporting by North Dakota Monitor.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg dismissed the suit, saying courts cannot intervene until the Army Corps completes its environmental impact study, which has remained unfinished since 2017. Standing Rock Chairwoman Janet Alkire said the tribe does not trust the Corps to properly evaluate the pipeline and will continue legal efforts to protect their water and people. The tribe also criticized a recent jury verdict holding Greenpeace liable for damages related to protests against the pipeline.