Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/785043
ByJamesMacpherson and Blake Nicholson The Associated Press CANNON BALL, N.D. Con- struction crews have re- sumed work on the final segment of the Dakota Ac- cess pipeline, and the de- veloper of the long-delayed project said Thursday that the full system could be operational within three months. Meanwhile, an Ameri- can Indian tribe filed a legal challenge to block the work and protect its water supply. The Army granted En- ergy Transfer Partners for- mal permission Wednesday to lay pipe under a North Dakota reservoir, clear- ing the way for completion of the 1,200-mile pipeline. Company spokeswoman Vicki Granado confirmed early Thursday that con- struction began "immedi- ately after receiving the easement." Workers had already drilled entry and exit holes for the segment, and oil had been put in the pipeline leading up to Lake Oahe in anticipation of finishing the project. "The estimate is 60 days to complete the drill and another 23 days to fill the line to Patoka," Granado said, referring to the ship- ping point in Illinois that is the pipeline's destination. Work was stalled for months due to opposition by the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes. Both tribes argue that the pipeline threatens their water supply and cul- tural sites. In a statement, Cheyenne River Sioux Chairman Har- old Frazier said the water "is our life. It must be pro- tected at all costs." The Cheyenne River res- ervation in South Dakota borders the Standing Rock reservation, which strad- dles the North Dakota- South Dakota border. The last piece of the pipeline is to pass under the lake on the Missouri River, which marks the eastern border of both reservations. A separate court bat- tle unfolded between the developer and the Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees the federal land where the last segment is now being laid. President Donald Trump last month instructed the Corps to ad- vance pipeline construc- tion. The Cheyenne River Sioux on Thursday asked a federal judge to stop the work while a lawsuit filed earlier by the tribes pro- ceeds. Attorney Nicole Ducheneaux said in court documents that the pipeline "will desecrate the waters" that the Cheyenne River Sioux rely on. Energy Transfer Part- ners, which maintains the pipeline is safe, did not immediately respond in court to the filing. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said he would hear arguments from at- torneys on Monday. The tribes' lawsuit, filed last summer, has been on hold while the dispute over the final pipeline seg- ment played out. The Chey- enne River Sioux on Thurs- day told the judge that they also want to make a claim on freedom-of-religion grounds. NORTH DAKOTA TribefileschallengetostallDakotaAccesspipeline ★★★OPENHOUSE★★★ SATURDAY, FEB 11. NOON TIL 3:00 PM RE/MAXFiveStar Don D. Davis 530-524-3137 DRE LIC # 00368854 2405HilltopDrive Redding, CA 96002 511 Antionette $559,000 OVER 2300 SQ.FT. Stunning architecturally designed home. High Vaulted ceilings, split floor plan, 4 Bedrms, Great room. Designer Gardens and Bocci Court.Can'tbereplicatedfortheprice! Hosted by Don D. 530-524-3137 4 BEDROOMS, 3 FULL BATHS Great room, finest of granite, marbles and tile. Crown Moldings, angled walls and over 1,000 sq.ft.in 3 car garage. Many designer amenities - come live the dream. Hosted by Ana 530-200-5797 14625 Carriage Lane Hilltop Retreat: $369,000 Visitusat 100JacksonSt. in Red Bluff for details (530) 529-1220 Visit www.redbluffhealthfitness.com for more infomation Monthly Membership as low as $ 28 00 a month! Smog Check (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. starting at $ 29 95 + $ 8 25 certificate CERTIFIED AUTO REPAIR CENTER wwwnortherncountiesroofingsystems.com FreeEstimates 530-356-0686 Owner on site Lic# 955662 • Residential • Commercial • New Construction | NEWS | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017 4 B