Corps, governor seek DAPL protesters removal: Update

Adds details on Dalrymple executive order.

The US Army Corps of Engineers will close federal property in North Dakota on 5 December in an effort to relocate protests against the Dakota Access crude pipeline (DAPL).

The agency said it "has no plans for forcible removal" of the protesters north of the Cannonball river but said those who remain "will be considered unauthorized and may be subject to citation under federal, state, or local laws."

The governor of North Dakota issued an executive order today for a mandatory evacuation of all areas in Morton county which are under Army Corps jurisdiction. Any person who chooses to enter, reenter, or stay in the evacuation area "does so at their own risk, and assumes any and all liabilities for their unlawful presence," said the order by North Dakota governor Jack Dalrymple, which is effective immediately.

The order also said that all persons in the evacuation area shall take their possessions with them.

The Army Corps said yesterday that moving the protesters will protect the public after dangerous confrontations between demonstrators and police. It will also protect protesters camped at the site from harsh winter conditions with plans to move them to "a more sustainable location."

"It is apparent that more dangerous groups have joined this protest and are provoking conflict in spite of the public pleas from tribal leaders," said the agency's Omaha district commander, Colonel John Henderson. "We are working to transition those engaged in peaceful protest from this area and enable law enforcement authorities to address violent or illegal acts as appropriate to protect public safety."

Energy Transfer Partners is building the $3.7bn pipeline which would carry at least 470,000 b/d of crude from the Bakken fields in North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois, for further delivery to the Gulf coast. The pipeline was approved by regulators in four states.

The Army Corps earlier this month delayed a final easement for DAPL near Lake Oahe in North Dakota, the main site of the protests led by Native American groups. Opponents say the project would destroy sacred sites and endanger drinking water sources. Energy Transfer denies the allegations.

The Army Corps said that it needed more time to decide on the easement to have further talks with the Standing Rock tribe and others.

Dalrymple last week urged President Barack Obama to approve the final easement.

Obama's inaction on the easement has created "undue hardship and uncertainty" for area residents, Dalrymple said in a letter also signed by US senator John Hoeven and US representative Kevin Cramer — both of North Dakota. All are Republicans.

Energy Transfer is seeking a federal court ruling that would allow it to finish building DAPL.

The delay has already cost the company more than $450mn, Energy Transfer said in court filings earlier this month.