Since the conception of the Bakken Pipelines potential path through Iowa, the Iowa Utilities Board has been receiving many comments from landowners, community members, and many other Iowans, most of which are angry and confused by the proposal. Last week, a particularly interesting comment was submitted. John Doershuk, the State Archaeologist and Director in Iowa, stated that the construction of the Bakken Pipeline will cause adverse effects to many historic properties in Iowa, including significant archeological sites.
“The vast areas of archaeologically unexplored landscape slated to be affected by construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline should also be investigated as it is highly likely currently unknown but significant archaeological deposits will be discovered.”
Doershuk and his team have discovered that there are over 27 known archaeological sites within 200 feet of the potential construction, and over 137 are within 3300 feet. But what if there are more as Doershuk suggests? The pipeline could go over land that holds historic significance in Iowa, and we haven’t even been given the chance to explore these areas yet. Doershuk goes on to suggest that if this pipeline was run by a government agency such as the Iowa DOT, the entire area affected would be included in the requirements for archaeological compliance, not just the most renowned sites. The Bakken Pipeline should be held to these same levels of investigation. If the Bakken Pipeline performs an archaeological field survey, they need more than just action. There needs to be documentation examined and released to Iowans all across the state.
Donald Tormey, an Iowa Utilities Board Spokesman spoke up about the comment submitted by Doershuk saying that the people behind the Bakken Pipeline “would be expected to address in its hearing testimony how its pipeline route selection process took archaeological consideration into account.”
Only time will tell if the people behind the Bakken Pipeline will hold up to the standards set by institutions such as the DNR or the Iowa DOT. I suppose we’ll find out during the hearing testimony, whenever that may be.
This post is authored by Kate McCoshen, Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition Communications Intern.