The recent decision by a federal judge ordering a review of the environmental concerns brought forward by the Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux tribes opens the door for the state of Iowa to reconsider the permit.
Photo: Claire Boeke
Here’s what Iowans are saying…
From Coalition Members Iowa Sierra Club and Science & Environmental Health Network:
Since the permit issued by the Board is now void, it must be revoked. Furthermore, since the permit is void and must be revoked, Dakota Access must be ordered to immediately cease transporting oil through the pipeline.”
From Coalition member Women, Food and Agriculture Network:
“The Dakota Access pipeline leaked three times before it was fully operational. When it eventually leaks again—as all pipelines do—there will be more than oil on the hands of our state’s leaders. You will have to account for loss of life—loss of life of Iowa’s fertile soils, of livestock, of fish and birds who depend upon our streams and rivers, and loss of human life, as we struggle to live with the toxicity of the disaster.
The permit was granted assuming the pipeline to be a “public convenience and necessity,” but it has only been an inconvenience to date to the many families who have struggled over three years to protect their farms, the health of their communities, and our shared future. The pipeline continues to not be necessary and pose only risk to the health of our land, communities, and economy. The evidence mounts before you and you have the opportunity now to take a brave action for Iowans today and tomorrow. We urge you to revoke the permit.”
From Danielle Wirth, Woodward, IA:
“As a reminder, early in the process of IUB’s permitting this pipeline I wrote to the IUB outlining my objections because I regulated petroleum companies for the Iowa Dept of Natural Resources in the early 1990s. I explained in detail how metal pipes carrying petroleum products fail. I further explained how one small isolated spill or leak from an underground storage tank or associated connecting pipe was very costly to manage. First, the extent of the impact must be calculated. This requires soil and water sampling moving out in concentric circles from the “spill.” Many chemical tests, many dollars spent to evaluated the extent of the petroleum plume. Then, soil and groundwater remediation must follow. It is my reasoned judgement that DAPL lacks the financial resources to mediate a spill from this pipeline. DAPL lacks the technical and scientific expertise to manage this pipeline.”
Photo: Kari Carney
From Kathy Byrnes Holdefer, Mingo, IA:
“In light of the recent federal court ruling that the Army Corps of Engineers did not adequately consider the impacts of an oil spill on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s fishing rights, hunting rights, or issues of environmental justice when it issued the permits needed to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), I urge you to immediately revoke the DAPL permit, which had initially been granted on the basis of the Army Corps’ go-ahead. The lack of a legitimate permit adds to Iowans’ general mistrust of Dakota Access, especially since they very recently let their insurance on it lapse.”
Kathy Byrnes Holdefer submitted her comments as a great letter to the editor–take a look!
From Patrick Bosold, Fairfield, IA:
You are now in a legal position to reconsider and withdraw the permit(s) you have issued to DAPL. You granted your statewide permit to DAPL on March 10, 2016 with the precondition that DAPL obtain all other needed authorizations. DAPL does not have the needed authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, per a federal court ruling last week. This means that DAPL’s Army Corps of Engineers permit is now void, and therefore that DAPL’s IUB permit is also now void. Your DAPL permit must therefore be revoked, by you, immediately.”
From Mark Edwards, Boone, IA:
“I have been following the oversight the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) is to be providing for the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Your records show the construction is 100% complete in the various counties, including Boone County where I live. For a few weeks now I have observed heavy equipment being used in various places along the pipeline route. I have attached a few pictures to illustrate this but have observed others. These construction activities fall under the construction mitigation plans and are not complete.”
Check out Mark’s complete comments and see the photos he took of the ongoing construction.
From Ash Bruxvoort, Des Moines, IA:
“I grew up in Mitchelville, Iowa, and my family farms in Jasper County. All last summer I saw fields torn up and worked in conditions that were not appropriate. Farmers and landowners are now experiencing the negative results of that poor management: damaged soil. Our soil is our main resource in Iowa. Farmers are already experiencing hard times due to low prices, and now their resource has been damaged, which will likely result in lower yields for those farmers. The county and landowners in the county are now also at constant risk of oil spills, which would further damage their farms and negatively impact the health of people, plants and wildlife in the area. I love Jasper County. It’s where I grew up. I don’t want this pipeline and their permit should never have been approved. Revoke it.”
From Angie Carter, Ames, IA:
You have the opportunity to re-examine the inflated claims brought forward by Dakota Access and have evidence of the abuse they have caused to families and our land in Iowa. This information can be used now to revoke the permit. Already the pipeline has leaked multiple times in its testing. All pipelines eventually leak, but these can be avoided by shutting the pipeline down now. Iowa is a leader in wind energy and solar is a growing sector of our economy. There is no reason to allow Dakota Access to put our farms, water, community health, and financial stability of the state at risk.”
Here’s how you can submit your comments to the Iowa Utilities Board.
Photo: Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement