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US judge refuses to block oil pipeline near tribal lands US judge refuses to block oil pipeline near tribal lands
(35 minutes later)
A US judge has denied a request to halt construction on a controversial oil pipeline. A US judge has denied a request to halt construction on a controversial oil pipeline in North Dakota.
The Dakota Access Pipeline has been opposed by over 200 Native American tribes and environmental groups. The Dakota Access Pipeline is opposed by over 200 Native American tribes who fear its impact on waterways.
The project is due to pass near lands that are sacred to members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the rural state of North Dakota. The $3.7bn (£2.8bn) pipeline will pass through four states, close to lands that are sacred to members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
The $3.7bn (£2.8bn) pipeline will pass through four states and will be about 1,168 miles (1879 km) long. But moments after the ruling, the US government urged construction to stop temporarily at one particular site.
Judge James Boasberg ruled that the US Army Corp of Engineers "likely" complied with federal law when they issued construction permits to Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, who are constructing the pipeline. The Department of Justice called upon Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners to voluntarily halt construction temporarily within 20 miles of Lake Oahe, which is considered sacred to the regional native tribes.
Immediate reaction among the protesters camped in North Dakota was of confusion.
"The tribes' attempts to stop construction have been denied," The Red Warrior Camp said in a Facebook statement, immediately after the judge's ruling.
"Stay peaceful without backing down" they advised.
Judge James Boasberg had ruled that the US Army Corp of Engineers "likely" complied with federal law when they issued construction permits to Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, who are constructing the pipeline.
Crude oil from the Bakken shale will be shipped to oil refineries on the US Gulf Coast.Crude oil from the Bakken shale will be shipped to oil refineries on the US Gulf Coast.
The US Department of Justice has called upon the energy company to voluntarily halt construction temporarily within 20 miles of the Lake Oahe, which is considered sacred to the regional native tribes. Environmental and local activists believe that the transporting of up to 570,000 barrels of crude oil a day will imperil local waterways.
Proponents of the 1,879km-pipeline's construction believe it to be a safer method of transporting oil than the current methods being used which is by rail and road.
In a joint statement with the DoJ, the US Army department - which issued the building permits - announced that they were suspending construction in one key location.
"Construction of the pipeline on Army Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe will not go forward at this time", the Department of the Army announced in a joint statement with two other federal agencies.