DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A crude oil pipeline that will cut across Iowa has received the final federal permit approvals needed to proceed with construction.
Documents posted by the Iowa Utilities Board Tuesday show the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved 60 river crossings in Iowa, a decision pipeline opponents hoped to stop.
Bold Iowa and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement vow to continue to rally in opposition. They’re also training monitors to report any environmental violations or hazards.
The Corps’ documents outline conservation measures Dakota Access must undertake at sites where certain bat and fish species might be affected. The company also must provide wetland mitigation when natural wetlands are disturbed and must allow American Indian tribal monitors to observe work.
The 1,168-mile pipeline crosses 18 Iowa counties diagonally from northwest to southeast and will end in Patoka, Illinois.