{"id":14688,"date":"2017-01-26T15:53:52","date_gmt":"2017-01-26T23:53:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/?p=14688"},"modified":"2017-01-26T17:13:38","modified_gmt":"2017-01-27T01:13:38","slug":"dakota-access-pipeline-urgent-action-alert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/dakota-access-pipeline-urgent-action-alert\/","title":{"rendered":"Dakota Access Pipeline Urgent Action Alert"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many United Methodists, including the Western Jurisdiction Bishops, the General Board of\u00a0<\/span>Church and Society, United Methodist Women, the General Board of Global Ministries, and countless individuals, have pledged to support the rights of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline, an oil and gas pipeline that was slated to cross land that is sacred to the tribe, and that would risk polluting the tribe\u2019s drinking water. <\/span><\/p>\n

In December, the Army Corps of Engineers said it would not approve an easement for the pipeline to cross Lake Oahe. It said it would instead seek alternate routes for the pipeline through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS process, which includes significant opportunity for public comment, began January 18, 2017, just prior to the presidential inauguration.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday of this week, President Trump signed an executive order telling the Army Corps to consider \u201cwhether to rescind or modify\u201d the decision to deny the easement and begin a new EIS without proper consultation with the tribes.<\/p>\n

Northwest tribal leaders, in conversation with the Standing Rock Sioux, are asking people of faith to <\/span>comment on the EIS as soon as possible<\/span><\/i>, before new leaders are appointed to the Army Corps.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>
Rev. Emma Donohew demonstrates against the Dakota Access and Keystone XL Pipeline in Washington, DC with Tim Palmer during a General Board of Church and Society young clergy event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Northwest tribal leaders, in conversation with the Standing Rock Sioux, are asking people of faith to comment on the EIS as soon as possible<\/i>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you want to do something quick and easy, the Indigenous Environmental Network <\/span>has created a simple pre-written comment<\/span><\/a> that you can customize.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you wish to write your own, check out the comment form above for ideas, <\/span>as well as this article from Yes! Magazine<\/span><\/a> with comment ideas and more information on the process. Some additional points you might consider making are below.<\/span><\/p>\n

I urge you not to be overwhelmed by these resources, but rather to be emboldened by them. You have everything you need to make an impactful comment. This is work we are called to do to <\/span>live into our repentance<\/span><\/a> for the role the church played in harming\u00a0American Indian communities in the past. We know better and can do better now.<\/span><\/p>\n

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You have everything you need to make an impactful comment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

According to the <\/span>public notice on this EIS<\/span><\/a>, you can mail, hand-deliver, or email your comment. Comments can be mailed or delivered to:\u00a0<\/span>Mr. Gib Owen<\/span>
\nOffice of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works<\/span>
\n108 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0108<\/p>\n

Include your name return address, and \u201cNOI Comments, Dakota Access Pipeline Crossing: on the first page of your comment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comments can be emailed to:\u00a0Mr. Gib Owen<\/span>
\ngib.a.owen.civ@mail.mil<\/span>
\nFor the subject line use: \u201cNOI Comments, Dakota Access Pipeline Crossing\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Additional ideas for your comment:<\/span><\/p>\n