Big Fire Statement on DAPL

Washington, DC – The United States continues to be a party to the illegal operation of the Dakota Access Pipeline.  Despite a host of court decisions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers effectively ignores the devastation imposed by their failed environmental review process. 

Over one year ago, Judge James Boasberg ruled against the pipeline and found its Army Corps permit to be invalid.  In January, the Court of Appeals agreed.  In yesterday’s hearing, the Army Corps told the court that they have no plans to shut down the unpermitted pipeline, planning to take another year in evaluating environmental issues.    

Attorney Judith Shapiro, representing the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe at the hearing, expressed her dismay:

This belated environmental review process should not further delay protecting tribes from the operation and possible failure of the Dakota Access Pipeline.  The Tribes are bearing all of the health and environmental risks of the potential unmitigated disasters that the government approved all the while DAPL continues to profit.  The Tribes’ day in court was another day justice has been denied. 

About Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is a federally recognized tribe whose people make their

home along the Missouri River.  They believe Mni Wiconi – “Water is Life.”

Big Fire Law & Policy Group is honored to represent them.  

About Big Fire Law & Policy Group, LLP

Big Fire Law & Policy Group is a 100% Native owned and majority

woman owned national law firm providing legal representation and

advocacy in a broad range of service areas, with an emphasis in tribal law and

federal Indian law.