BERDEEN, S.D. — Construction is underway in three of four states on a $3.8 billion pipeline that will carry oil from western North Dakota to Illinois.
Work on the Dakota Access Pipeline has begun in North Dakota, South Dakota and Illinois, spokeswoman Lisa Dillinger told the American News. The 1,150-mile pipeline also will cross Iowa, but regulators there declined this week to act quickly on a request to allow Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners to begin construction in that state.
Discovery of an archaeological site that may have cultural significance to Native Americans could further delay construction of a $3.8 billion oil pipeline if government officials require the route to be moved.
On Friday, Iowa State Archaeologist John Doershuk said his office had received information indicating a possible Native American site in northwest Iowa that, if confirmed, could result in relocation of the pipeline. He said details should start falling into place by next week, “as we confirm site characteristics and ownership/jurisdiction, as well as position relative to the planned pipeline construction activities.”
Final approval for the Iowa section is pending because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which must issue permits for the pipeline to cross the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, hasn’t issued its permits. A Corps spokesman said permits for the Iowa leg of the project are 60 to 120 days away.
The pipeline will carry nearly half a million barrels of crude from western North Dakota’s Bakken oil fields each day to a tank storage facility in southern Illinois. It’s been approved by regulators in all four states. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers still must issue permits for the pipeline to cross the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
Dakota Access LLC, a unit of Energy Transfer Partners, secured easements from landowners along the route to pass through their property. Landowner Perry Schmidt in northeastern South Dakota’s Spink County said crews in his area have been busy locating utility lines, preparing roadways for construction and planting stakes in construction areas to ensure farmers “aren’t wasting money planting seed.”
Dakota Access LLC said last week that it had to start laying pipe this week in order to finish before winter and avoid disturbing farmland for a second growing season.
