BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe was unsuccessful Monday in asking a federal judge to recognize three federal agencies’ request for a developer to “voluntarily pause” work on a segment of the Dakota Access pipeline that the tribe says holds sacred sites and artifacts.
The tribe said in court documents filed Monday that it wants U.S. District Judge James Boasberg to “formalize” the agencies’ requested stoppage for 20 miles (32 km) on both sides of the Missouri River at Lake Oahe in southern North Dakota.
The judge disagreed but did keep in place a previous order to halt construction on a small portion of the pipeline near the protest site near the Missouri River until a scheduled hearing Friday.
The company had not signaled its position on the government’s request.