The Iowa Utilities board has asked their attorney to draw up an order that will allow Dakota Access to begin construction on the Bakken oil pipeline in areas not under the jurisdiction of the U-S Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps is still working on the approvals for the pipeline to cross waterways and sensitive areas under their jurisdiction. The board’s request came after a discussion of how the action might impact the March 10th order that gave approval for a construction permit. Attorney David Lynch told the board Dakota Access wants to begin construction only in areas where they have the proper permits and authorization.
Board member Nick Wagner says they have already given approval for Dakota Access to remove trees in the areas where they have approval and this is similar.
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Board member Libby Jacobs agreed.
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Lynch told the board that all but three of the 65 permits for the areas under the Corps jurisdiction are expected to be completed by June 16th, so there would not be a big gap in the time allowing construction to start and when the permits were issued.