President Obama: the federal government is looking for ways to reroute the Dakota Access pipeline

[dixiegrrrrl]

President Obama said Tuesday that the federal government is looking for ways to reroute the Dakota Access pipeline project, which has been paralyzed by weeks of demonstrations by environmentalists.

In an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday, Mr. Obama seemed to side with occupiers who want the pipeline rerouted or scrapped outright, citing opposition by Indian groups.

“We’re monitoring this closely, and you know I think that as a general rule my view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans,” Mr. Obama told MSNBC.

But Mr. Obama indicated that the federal government has no intention of stepping in, despite the threat to federal lands.

“We’re going to let it play out for several more weeks and then determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to traditions of the first Americans,” he said.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/1/obama-exploring-ways-reroute-dakota-access-pipelin/

[MichMan]

1. Did they approve it initially and why?

While a lot of us support the environmental protesters, did the pipeline require government approval prior to starting construction?

[Bucky]

3. It was originally supposed to run through several populated areas in Dakota, but...

local cities spoke out and demanded it be re-routed. This story is ultimately about how Indian nations have less political pull than mostly white cities

[MichMan]

4. Was it approved?

If the pipeline company did not have the necessary approvals and built it anyway, then they should be forced to stop.

This won't be popular here, but if they did follow what was approved, it doesn't seem right that they should have it shut down now without being compensated.

I am comparing it to getting all the building permits for a new house, starting construction, and being told when it was half built that the township changed their mind and it was my problem. Is that wrong?

[Lucinda]

2. As long as "let it play out for several more weeks" doesn't lead to more violence...

As a rule I trust his moves, but this one is a little close to home for me...