Bismark, N.D.- U.S. Justice Department spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle reiterated via email today that the Army will not issue a permit for the Dakota Access pipeline [DAPL] to cross Lake Oahe while it examines the issues raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
“While the Army continues to review issues raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other tribal nations and their members, it will not authorize constructing the Dakota Access Pipeline on Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe. In the interim, the departments of the Army, Interior, and Justice have reiterated our request that the pipeline company voluntarily pause all construction activity within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahe.
The Justice Department is taking the situation in North Dakota seriously, and has been in communications with state and local law enforcement officials, as well as tribal representatives and protesters, to facilitate communication, defuse tensions, support peaceful protests, and maintain public safety.”
Photo by Rob Wilson Photography
The response came as a result of a letter sent by Standing Rock Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
“I am seeking a Justice Department investigation because I am concerned about the safety of the people. Too often these kinds of investigations take place only after some use of excessive force by the police creates a tragedy. I hope and pray that the Department will see the wisdom of acting now to prevent such an outcome.” ~Dave Archambault II
Posted by Wakíƞyaƞ Waánataƞ (Matt Remle- Lakota)
Matt Remle (Lakota) is an editor and writer for Last Real Indians and LRInspire. Follow @wakiyan7
LRInspire 
Why do these entities (Army Corps, DOJ, and President Obama) continue to stall and allow DAPL move forward at all? After DAPL intentionally destroyed sacred sites that ONE day earlier were filed by the Standing Rock Sioux – after they maced and pepper sprayed and arrested and hurt people on false accusations; after they targeted their family members – all of this! – it should have been stopped the day that DAPL sikked dogs on women and children and unarmed people and intentionally bulldozed their sacred sites on a holiday weekend.. THAT should have been the end of allowing the pipeline to continue one foot further and proceed with their permit. DAPL should have had all permit “rights” revoked that very day.
How can the DOJ, Army Corps, and President Obama continue to treat these people so egregiously? Do they think stalling until the pipeline can ram through is the way to treat these people? DAPL has stopped at nothing, including violence toward prayerful peaceful water protectors and decimation of lands that are, by rights, still THEIRS.
To silence (and punish!) journalists trying to report the real story – to have militarized police shoot down drones trying to cover the story from the air – to surround people and mace them and then arrest them when police tell them to leave and they are trying to leave – these evils must not go unchecked. All these things done to the water protectors are felony crimes and violations of the Fort Laramie Treaty and the rights of these people to protect their waters on THEIR stolen lands.